does anyone know some good quiet roads to cycle from devizes to bath?

Obvious answer is Kennet and Avon, which is probably doable on the road bike as most is smooth (or was), but a bit stop start.
A while ago I was enquiring about a good route from Wallingford to Bath, via Devizes, let me dig that thread out

Have you tried https://cycle.travel/

Stick your start and end point in, then when the route pops up change the selection to 'Paved'. It's usually pretty good at finding the quieter roads, though it's worth checking the route carefully as sometimes it'll do daft detours just to avoid a few metres on a busier stretch or similar. You can drag the route around to add waypoints if you want to amend it, then it'll sync with Garmin Connect when you're ready.

Poulshot, Keevil, hilperton, staverton, South wraxall, bathford, bath

Bit busy around Trowbridge, a nice cut through on Ashton Road avoids the worst

The canal is pretty bumpy up to around avoncliff, relatively ok after

Here is my preferred low traffic Staverton to Bath route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/41945482

1. At Staverton you will cross the river at some traffic lights. Wait on the left after crossing the bridge (there is a space to do so) across from the right turn you are going to make. Let all the traffic come past THEN take the right turn. You will then do that short run of road to Holt without any traffic behind you, plenty of time to make it before the next lot of traffic catches you. When coming back later pull over in the Nestle factory entrance and again let that run of traffic past.

2. At Lower Wraxall you can either (a) head straight up as I have marked - 2-3% average incline very quiet rough tarmac lane, water runs down it if wet. If you fancy a nice climb then keep going through Monkton Farleigh village and take a right just after you hit the top. I wouldn't go down Prospect on a road bike (the straight on bit, seems like the obvious route to take on the map) as it is mossy/damp/1 car wide and about 25% so braking is a nightmare. Or (b) you can turn right into South Wraxall and take the bigger road up - nicer surface, bit busier, little 8% section towards the end.

3. I've routed you into Batheaston- across from the shops there is a small car park and from there a mixed use path to the canal - good surface into town but won't be fast as often pedestrians/kids etc. Alternative to keep going through Batheaston and onto the main A4 (London Road) into Bath - has a reasonable cycle Lane into Bath but nothing coming the other way (which is a pain).

thanks all for the replies 🙂

What's the largest tyres you can get on your bike?

I usually run 26mm on mine, but fitted 30mm cyclo-cross tyres when we rode from Crawley to Bristol and back. The outward journey included Savernake forest and Devizes to Bradford on Avon, along the K&A, hence the CX tyres - it was fine, and great fun

There once was a man from Devizes,

Who's balls were of two different sizes,

The one was so small it was nothing at all,

But the other was huge and won prizes!

APF

@belugabob i have a planet x spitfire road bike and when i rode devizes to bristol return on the canal towpath about 2 years ago i had 25.5mm jack brown tires that came with the bike (have sram force rim brakes). the ride was agony on the way back on towpath section (after around 60 miles done bath to devizes).

i now have some continental gator skinz 28mm tires fitted to my bike now (have yet to try riding on the towpath).

am hoping that the extra size might make things just slightly more comfortable (the only problem with them is trying to get the wheels in/out as brakes even when opened is a very tight fit  and i do have to remove some pressure from tires.

@racefaceec90 - the increased size will certainly make a difference. Maybe worth experimenting with pressures, too - even just the increased size should allow a lower pressure.

Was it your wrists or your backside which suffered?

@belugabob it was my whole body tbh (muscles in my arms and my rear end etc) due to the rough towpath surface (it def isn't smooth at all from devizes to bath although there are smoother sections) it feels what riding the paris roubaix must feel like tbh.

Not much to say, the K&A is great to get you through this route, but it's a nightmare in some areas, best way is just make it as direct as possible, so Devizes to Trowvegas, then up to Bradford on Avon and i'd go via Winsley and then through Monkton Combe School to then go over the hill then down Ralph Allen to Bath.

No matter what you'll have to hit some busy A roads, or cycle a much longer route, even doing the Staverton bit up to BoA is a rat run used by a lot of commuters, same way into Bath, you can go up and down loads of ways, from Winsley you can go Limpley stoke over to Midford then use the Two Tunnels route into Oldfield Park area if you're that side of Bath.

@belugabob i have a planet x spitfire road bike and when i rode devizes to bristol return on the canal towpath about 2 years ago i had 25.5mm jack brown tires that came with the bike (have sram force rim brakes). the ride was agony on the way back on towpath section (after around 60 miles done bath to devizes).

Yup, did Reading to Bath along the towpath. Wouldn't want to do bits of it it on a road bike. The vibrations caused a couple of our groups bikes to start failing.

Would be horrible if it was wet.

I'll defer to more local riders - maybe we just got lucky and rode it when it was particularly smooth

thanks all for your replies 🙂

i think i might have to trade my road bike towards a gravel bike if i'm being truthful as to what i like to ride.

as much as i love my spitfire and riding on the road i really do not like traffic and the riding i do also a gravel bike would be suitable for too (where my ht mtb is a bit overkill for where i am riding).

a planet x tempest is very tempting tbh.

I would do something like: Devizes, Rowde, Melksham, Broughton Common, South Wraxxal, Bathford, Batheaston, Bath

@DaveP ah i had completely forgotten about going to bath via broughton gifford route that would be perfect for me i think. thank you

i am going to do that when my fitness allows just returned to riding after a 5 month layoff due to various reasons.

at the end of the day i would love to keep/ride my spitfire as i love it and road cycling. just somehow have to overcome this traffic aversion mental block.