| 1. One of the longer routes between Theale, but also one of the most cycle friendly. Starting in Church Lane head on road for about 2 miles then use the old basingstoke road section to get you up to the M4 junction and cross heading into Reading using the footpath and timing the traffic lights to avoid traffic.
Head down the hill using the footpath/cycle path, past the old worldcom building and the brewery. Take the first exit after the brewery in to Green Park, with the Madejski stadium on your right and follow the road round until you have passed the windmill on your right. at the next roundabout take a left and continue around the road until you reach a gate on the left hand side. There is space to get the bike past on either side of the gate. Another gate is 30 metres away which can be passed on the left if you alight from your bike.
Turn right at this point and stay on this road for the next 2/3 miles, going over the railway bridge, Kirtons Farm/hotel and the Tarmac gravel pit. When the road finally straightens, be ready to make a right turn after the last house into a newly made dead-end road. Ride easily through the concrete barriers, take the road until you reach the end at The Cunningman Pub.
Take a left then quick right, onto a back lane, (where you will join sustrans route 4) and follow the tarmac road, through a few twists and turns, until you reach a small concrete bridge on you right, cross over the bridge and turn immediately left.
Go around the gate on the left side and you are now onto a gravel tracked road, it is a bit bumpy in places, but stay to the left and you will find the best line.
Stay on this track for about 1 mile until you come to a wooden bridge, turn left before the bridge and you will now be riding alongside the Kennet and Avon Canal. Ride along the towpath, under the M4 motorway and past a couple of locks. When the swing bridge is reached (just after the 2nd lock), then turn right back on to road.
Follow this road for approx 1 mile and as soon as you cross the railway line, turn right at the roundabout.
Follow the very straight road with the rail line on your right until you reach another roundabout, turn right at the roundabout and take the first left into the carpark. Just over 9 miles and a largely traffic free route. |