The UK has thousands of miles of cycle paths, and one of its longest, National Cycle Route 4, runs from the centre of London to the shores of west Wales, following old railway lines across flat plains, country lanes up steep valley walls, and main roads through urban settlements over many hundreds of miles. In late August last year, I set off on a cycle ride that lasted for almost two days, with about 20 hours of my life spent peddling over a distance of 100 miles. While my original goal was to ride from my home in South Wales to the city of London, I reached my limits just as I was approaching the city of Bath in Somerset. It was perhaps the most trying experience of my life, and yet one of the most rewarding, and is one that come next summer I am eager to repeat and exceed. Naturally, I took plenty of snaps to share with you as I relay the trials and triumphs of my time on the trail.

After huffing and puffing my way up to Cribbs Causeway, I began a shallow descent into the Avon Valley, and the city of Bristol which sits on the Avon River. However, to save time and distance, I decided to follow another cycle path which follows the ring road around Bristol on flatter terrain, and to later re-join Route 4 to continue on to Bath along what was the Bristol to Bath railway (and has since been asphalted). As it happens, that other route happens to go right by the now-decommissioned Filton aerodrome (where Airbus has a large presence alongside the Concorde museum), and the hotel where the Just Fur the Weekend convention is held. So, I think I’ve figured out how I’m going to get to that convention, next! ^^

Hope you enjoy!