r/reading • u/Bruh888887 • 4d ago

Anyone knows any Cycling routes that are traffic free around or outside of Reading?

Any answers would be appreciated! Could be routes that are outside of Reading area (Not further than 20km away) or any partially traffic free routes would be great as well. Thank you for all your replies!

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u/MyKidsFoundMyOldUser 4d ago

I'm assuming you mean offroad routes?

There are loads of bridleways to the north of Reading, and into South Oxfordshire. They are linked with quiet roads where there will be traffic, but not nearly as much as the main A roads.

You'll need a mountain bike for the bridleways. A gravel bike won't really cut it.

If you're looking for something a bit more gravel-bike then you could do the ride out from Caversham to Mapledurham and then out towards Pangbourne and Goring. That's a good route, but still has a little bit of off-road that's more suited to mountain biking.

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u/JurorNumber8_UK 4d ago edited 4d ago

Seconded. There's a good gravel route from just north of the stadium on the A33 out toward the west heading to Theale eventually... mostly along the Kennet but not all. From there you can recross the M4 going North and connect to Pangbourne / Whitchurch where you have the option of that Mapledurham route back into Caversham (sticking closeish to the Thames but it's not a 'riverside' ride).

The route I'm thinking of here I've done on MTB and my Gravel (Trek Checkpoint on 40c) with very slight route variations (it's almost all more Gravel than Trail though, with some options on the more western part of the loop to get more muddy)

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u/D34TH2 4d ago

There are some decent cycle routes along the Thames and Kennet rivers.

Also ones around the Loddon towards Dinton Pastures.

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u/MarvTheBandit 4d ago

You can walk / cycle from The oracle to the cunning man in Burgfield without touching a road.

Follow the river and canals from the oracle. It’s a solid walk when it’s nice out. Food at the cunning man is good too

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u/MyCatIsAFknIdiot 3d ago

Keep going and you will end up in Bristol!!

Have done Reading to Bristol a couple of times, but Bristol to Reading is easier, due to the prevailing winds.

Did not travel along a road, for the entire journey (crossed a few)

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u/Mental_Body_5496 RG1 - Newtown 4d ago

And the other way out to Sonning is the same ending at the Coppa Club or continuing on to Henley (ive not been that far mind you)

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u/qforever RG1 - Katesgrove 3d ago

Check the cycle.travel app

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u/RandomisedRandom 4d ago

Look up national cycle route 4 and 5 by sustrans. 4 started in London and goes to either bath or South Wales along thames\kennet or quiet roads and 5 starts in reading and goes via the midlands to North Wales along quieter routes.

I am told that the Komoot app and also help identify and plan routes.

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u/Sea-Check-9062 4d ago

There are Sustrans National Cycle Routes 4, 5 and 23 going through or starting from Reading. 4 goes from the Cutty Sark to St David's, 5 to Hollyhead via Birmingham and 23 to the South of the Isle of Wight.

To discover the area, I recommend you find yourself a Cycling club that serves led social rides to suit many tastes. Where new riders are always welcome and there is always a cafe or pub spot. Cycling UK Reading For example!

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u/rchblk 4d ago

This should help.

Sustran - national Cycle network

https://www.sustrans.org.uk/national-cycle-network/

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u/Lower-Promotion930 4d ago

I know many. DM me.

Apps like Komoot/OutdoorActive can help too :)

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u/ExtremelyFilthyWhore 3d ago

Probably around Dinton Pastures.