Path to Bath

London to Bath, 3 days of gravel travel adventure

Dates: 4th - 6th May

Yup, 3 days of great gravel riding, taking in some of the best sections of gravel riding I’ve ever found in the country, yeah, it’s that good! Cross heathlands, discover old Drovers roads, view a couple of pretty stunning cathedrals, visit Stonehenge and loads of other Neolithic stuff while crossing the Salisbury Plain.  For the adult kids, there’s a long old tunnel that drops us bang in the centre of Bath.

We’ll ride approximately 60 miles a day, at a sustainable pace with stops for a relaxed lunch at pubs en route and staying in local small hotels each evening. 

The ride is guided and accompanied by map guru legend Charlie and supported by his team of magic elves who will not only carry your baggage between hotels but can be summoned during the day should it all go wrong! 

Route distance: 253km/157 miles

Itinerary

Day 1 London to Alton 

Distance: 100 km | 62 miles 

Highlights: 10 km glide into Wey Valley and free swimming in the River Wey.

Meet at Brixton for coffee and croissants, a final chance to do some fettling and dump your bags before setting off, park hopping out of London. 

There’s a coffee stop in Leatherhead to prepare for the climb up to Ranmore Common, before the glorious, and I mean it, it's probably the best bit of gravel in the South East, descent into the Wey Valley. 

A chance for a free swim in the River Wey before lunch after which, it's a pleasant afternoon ride along traditional bridleways into Alton. 

Day 2 Alton to Salisbury 

Distance: 70 km | 43 miles 

Highlights: Oxdrover Way, Winchester Cathedral, Old Sarum and Salisbury.  

It’s a short riding day because there’s a lot to see, the morning’s ride along the ancient Ox Drovers Road into Winchester where we’ll stop for coffee and mooch. Lunch in the Test Valley, before riding along the Roman roads to Old Sarum with time to explore this fascinating  Iron Age Fort/abandoned Norman town, before heading down to Salisbury. 

 Day 3 Salisbury to Bath 

Distance: 83 km |  53 miles 

Highlights: Stonehenge, Salisbury Plain, Dundas Aquaduct and Coombe Hill Tunnel

Couldn’t get a finer gateway onto Salisbury Plain than Stonehenge, always worth a look before spending the rest of the morning riding across the open chalky downland.  After lunch, we join the Kennet and Avon canal towards Bath riding across the magnificent Dundas Aquaduct before delving underground and into Bath. 

Whats included?

Guide and support fees include

• Guided by Charlie throughout
• All accommodation
• Back up support vehicle following the ride
• Feed stations 
• GPX Route files 
  
• Basic mechanical assistance
• Luggage transfers
• Bike return to London

What's not included 

• Lunch and dinner
• Entrance fees to Attractions (optional)
• Rider return to London
• Optional single room supplement 

You can secure your place on these rides with £100 deposit payment 

Is this ride for me? 

With daily distances of 70+ km, this is a ride for cyclists with a degree of fitness and some off-road riding ability - if in doubt, email Charlie for advice.

Is my bike suitable 

This ride is best completed on a gravel, mountain or cyclocross bike.

Hire bikes 

We can arrange for you to hire a suitable gravel bike from Cyclefit for this ride