I'm looking to come for a ride around Bristol, and I'd like to ride up the side of the Avon on the Portway side, and back down the dirt track on the opposite side. Is the dirt track ok on a road bike? Michelin Pro4 Endurance tyres if that helps.
Ta
Hiya, probably be fine. Done the cycle path on road tyres loads of times. Can be a bit gravelly tho, and dont do it after heavy rain.
Fine currently. Very occasionally a very high tide or heavy rain makes the towpath less solid.
Apart from using Bridge Valley Rd, the only way that I can think of to get from the Portway up to the Downs or the suspension bridge level is via the Goat Gulley, which has wire fencing up to about 2m height and bike-proof kissing gates. If you can lift your bike that high, it will work. There are several routes down from the Leigh Woods area to the cycle path between Pill & Bristol
Thanks all. Moses, I don't want to go up on the Downs, just up one side of the river to Spike Island or thereabouts, and back down the other side.
Where are you starting? Won't be much of a ride to spike island and back. Do you mean out of town on the Portway, over the M5 bridge, then back to town on the North Somerset side? Nice ride if so, but beware moped muggers this week on the North Somerset side.
Start/finish in Chepstow. Tell me more about the muggers.
rode there last night. conditions were good and no muggers that I could see! the tow path (the path opposite the Portway is fine for wider road tyres. it does get fairly muddy after rain. An alternative could be to go up through ashton court and then join the A369 at the top for a short distance and then turn off towards Pill / HAm Green to pick up the M5 bridge over the Avon.
Interesting what CSB wrote, somebody's just put up signs in the FC land stating no motorbikes or quads.
Sorry I now see it was from Feb. But the warning to be vigilant remains.
https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/cyclist-managed-escape-three-armed-3880647
In terms of your route OP, if I was coming from Chepstow I'd probably not do the Portway (as the route back isn't that good to justify) but stick to the lanes around Oldbury and the Severn banks villages.
Hounds, my error. When you wrote you were going up the POrtway I understood you were gaining height, not cycling upstream. The Portway is unpleasant.
If you're on a MTB it's possible to go from Avonmouth/Shire uphill on the Severn Way (footpath). Lawrence Weston House, Blaise estate, Trym valley, Stoke Bishop, Hollybush Lane, across the Downs & the bridge.
You could also stop at the zoo and look at the animals.
It is still going on. Bristol-Bath path has always been dodgy.
https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/bristol-cyclist-taken-hospital-after-4494661
Done my ride today, good job I did'nt see that ^^ before I set off or I might have had to pedal faster 🙂
Did'nt do the portway after the advice up there^^, but went up onto the downs and across the suspension bridge, glad I did too, cos I ain't been up there before and it's well worth a look.
Highlights--- Severn Bridge crossing. The lanes after the bridge. Clifton Downs and bridge. The Pill path. Severn Beach( had a bimble along the prom there and it was lovely )
Lowlights---Three dead ends in 10 minutes after the Severn Bridge cos Old Passage Rd was closed, ended up dashing down the dual carriageway for a mile. Cribbs Causeway, I stayed on the cycle track/pavement then for some inexplicable reason I decided I was on the wrong side of the road, so crossed to the other side, then half mile later realised I was on the right side to start, but could'nt bloody get back over cos of the traffic 🙂 Some of the roads around Bristol were a bit busy. I did'nt get to see the animals in the zoo 🙁
All in all a cracking day out though, so thanks for the pointers and tips, much appreciated.
