Taking the Slow Road
There’s something special about leaving London behind on two wheels, swapping busy streets and city noise for quiet country lanes, riverside paths and the freedom of travelling at your own pace. Bikepacking from London to Bristol along National Cycle Route 4 was all about enjoying the journey rather than rushing towards the destination.
With the bikes loaded up with camping gear, a few essentials and plenty of snacks, we set off westwards, following the winding route through some beautiful parts of southern England. Rather than treating it as a race or trying to cover huge distances each day, the plan was simple: ride slowly, explore along the way and enjoy the little adventures that make bike packing so rewarding. Averaging 50kms per day.
National Cycle Route 4 offers a fantastic mix of scenery, taking you from the urban landscape of London towards the quieter countryside of Berkshire, Wiltshire and Somerset. There are stretches alongside rivers and canals, peaceful villages, rolling countryside and plenty of opportunities to stop for a coffee, find a country pub or simply enjoy a well-earned coffee break.
One of the best things about travelling slowly is having the freedom to stop whenever something catches your eye. There’s no timetable to follow, no pressure to reach a particular destination and no need to worry about how many miles you've covered. Some of the best moments come from the unexpected stops and the places you discover along the way.
As the miles passed (very confusing as someone who counts kilometres), the scenery gradually changed, the roads became quieter and the feeling of being away from everyday life grew stronger. Even the occasional hills, muddy paths and tired legs became part of the experience. With everything needed for the journey strapped to the bike, there was a wonderful sense of independence.
Arriving in Bristol felt like a fitting end to the adventure. After several days of travelling under your own steam, reaching the city was satisfying.
Visiting UK’s oldest pub - The George Inn at Norton St Philip
This was a huge highlight for us going off the route for a little detour when we looked up ahead and saw a storm rolling in & a room that had just become available at piece of history (plus a warm, dry bed & meal for the night). They have done an amazing job at keeping the history of this building, vert fittingly for a business that started back in 1430 even storing our bikes in the “Dungeon” for the night. Definitely a first for the bikes to have been stored indoors and in such an iconic spot to wait the rain out.
Strava Stats:
278kms
1360m Elevation Gained
18 Hours Riding
Canals & Narrowboats
These canal paths have absolutely blown us away with how incredible they look with Autumn leaves falling and insane colours popping around every corner.
Bikepacking from London to Bristol isn't necessarily about covering the distance as quickly as possible. It's about slowing down, travelling light, discovering new places and enjoying the simple pleasure of getting somewhere under your own power.
Sometimes the best adventures aren't about how far you go, but how much you enjoy the ride along the way.
