A trip along the Thames-side path, part 2.

I was in Reading, Berkshire, UK., to attend a joint birthday party for two of my old muckers.  And my plan was to head back to my Youth Hostel, in Swiss Cottage, London; commencing the journey with a cycle ride along scenic Thames-side path.

Any regular readers of my blog will be aware of my fondness for the Thames-side path.  In the past, I have used it several times to cycle from London to Reading or Maidenhead.  But a recurring feature of previous trips is that I've had to depart from the Thames path around historic Runnymede, because of a lack of time and follow the quieter roads, which are classified as 'B' roads in the UK.

But this time a spare day between commitments in Reading and in London presented a not-to-be-missed opportunity for me to investigate the Thames-side path, as it runs to the East of Reading. Throughout the UK, the signage for cycle paths, which provide traffic free or perhaps semi-traffic free travel around our villages, towns and cities are simply getting better all the time.  Much of this is due to the sterling work of the Campaign for Sustainable Transport, or Sustrans (http://www.sustrans.org.uk/). And Reading was no different.  So after saying a fond farewell to my friends, I simply followed the Sustrans signs to the river Thames.

The Thames-side path through Reading was peaceful, I passed dog walkers and the occasional family, out on their bicycles.  Whilst my navigation might be classified as passable; it certainly isn't my strongest suit.  And true to form, quite soon I ended up stuck at the far end of some  swanky high-tech. business park.

A quick look at my smartphone revealed a circuitous route that I could take through back roads, that would return me to river bank.  But a cursory glance around my environs revealed what seemed to be an unpaved, but well maintained path heading in the direction of the river.  So I followed it and hoped for the best.  The further that I travelled down this path, the more convinced I was that it had been a good plan.  Soon the river was in view again and I was happily bound for Henley-on-Thames.

I find it easy to forget how slow progress can be on a push-bike when cycling on grass or on an unpaved path.  By the time I got to Henley I had probably been in the saddle for some forty minutes.  But a sign I passed noted - at least at face value - that I had only cycled some six miles.

Henley is famous, amongst other things for it's regatta; interested readers can find details here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henley_Royal_Regatta   .  Henley is a pretty town by any standards and I enjoyed sailing through it on the bike.  But I had foolishly forgotten to bring my re-fillable water-bottle with me, and it was a warm afternoon for the time of year.  Refreshments were required.

I passed through bucolic scenes with cattle and deer amongst other livestock.  By now I was regretting not having stopped in Henley to get some refreshments and was feeling a little parched.  But the beauty of cycling in areas like this, is that one is never too far from civilisation, which in this context means Pubs/Coffee Shops/Bike Shops etc.  And soon there it was, a village Pub with a beer garden.  Ideal.

The remainder of the trip to Maidenhead was easy, following signs along 'B' roads.  I then caught a train back to London, where a soaking awaited me on the cycle from London Paddington station to my home for the night.  It wouldn't be the UK without changeable weather.  A very enjoyable afternoon trip.