billrider2013

It was raining lightly when I left Henley on Thames and headed towards Reading.  I had expected to be able to ride along the river and was surprised to find that it was not possible.  The ride into Reading was a bit ordinary, mainly on bike paths next to busy roads.

Finding the Canal

I stopped in Reading for a late breakfast and to sort out some issues with my Sony phone.  I now have three phones – the Sony Xperia, a new Samsung S7 and a very basic Telstra So I can get SMS message on my Australian number.  Only the Samsung appears to be hassle free.

It took me awhile to find the Cycle Route 4.  The route follows the Kennet and Avon canal.  You would think that it would be easy to find – just head for the canal.  A surprising number of people in Reading seem to oblivious to the existence of the canal.

Remembering 2012

This is the fifth year in a row that I have ridden on the Cycle Route 4, albeit it is only the second time that I have headed West from Reading.  I can vividly remember my first time, back in June 2012.

As I started on that ride, the West of England through to London was experiencing its worst spring weather in over 50 years.  There was torrential rain and gale force winds. I headed into that weather.

It was extraordinary: the rain was heavy and often horizontal was I rode into the westerly winds.  I tell people that it was “difficult to distinguish the towpath from the canal”, as there was so much water on the path.

In 2012, I only made it as far Wotton Waters.  I recall staying at great little pub that did B&B called the Royal Oak.

My plan this year was to get to Devizes which is further west.

A bit Slow

As it turned out, I didn’t travel as fast as I expected.  My time off the bike since September last year and reduced level of fitness was hindering my progress.  I clearly wasn’t going to make it to Devizes on this day.

The Route 4 took me passed the above mentioned Royal Oak.  I was looking forward to staying there again.  I was very disappointed to find that they were fully booked, and the last room had only just be taken.

The bloke in the pub old me that “the Golden Swan in Didcot does camping”.  I headed on the Didcot.

England draw with Russia

It was after 8.00 p.m. by the time I arrived in Didcot. The pub’s kitchen was about to close.  The only meal available was “pie of the day”.  I had no option except to order it.

As I ate my meal I watched England playing Russia in the European Cup Football. England were expected to win and were leading 1-0 up until the final minutes when Russia score an equaliser.

A group of blokes in the pub were also watching the game.  They didn’t seem the slightest bit surprised at the result.  English soccer supporters have very low expectations when it comes to their national team.

The Pie wasn’t Good

After the soccer was finished, I climbed into my tent.  I wasn’t there long before I had to rush to the toilet – I suspect that the “pie of the day” was made with the leftovers from yesterday.

I didn’t have the greatest of the night’s sleep.  My Fitbit tells me that I was ‘awake’ 4 times during the night. I won’t go into detail about what I did while I was awake.

Continue to Devises

In the morning I headed on to Devizes on quite roads that run parallel to the canal.

I re-joined the canal at Devizes and continued west.  About 2 kilometres from the town are the Caen Locks.  They are amazing.  Check out the Flickr Link for the video.

No Call to the Barge Inn

After the locks, I continued on to the Barge Inn.

It is a great Pub on the canal.   I have stopped at this pub several times.

As I mentioned above, in 2012 the weather was really bad.  I stopped at the pub for lunch. While I was eat eating, I ‘Check in’ on Facebook.  One of my Marshfield hosts saw the post.

He rang the pub and asked to be put through to the restaurant.  He told the waitress that “there was a very wet Australian cyclist in restaurant” and asked that “phone be taken to him”.  I was very surprised to be given the phone.

It makes a good story.

This year the food was good as every other year.

I checked in the pub on Facebook, but I didn’t get a call.

Not a good route to Marshfield

After lunch, I continued west of the canal, before heading towards Chippenham, en route to Marshfield.

Marshfield is a great little village, but I always find it difficult to navigate there.  I blame the Garmin, but I think I have something to do with my problem.  This year I manage to take a very circuitous route to the village.

It was just on dinner time when I arrived at my hosts house.

Flickr Link

https://www.flickr.com/gp/twwilko_photos/b4v75n

Garmin Link

When the internet permits