A cycle ride from Chepstow, the Severn Bridge, Severn Way Trail and following the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal to Gloucester Docks.
I’ve had this idea in my note book for quite a while but hadn’t quite joined the dots. We start in Chepstow, Wales and head over the original Severn Bridge to England picking up the Severn Way trail along the banks of the Severn River.
Heading north towards Gloucester we pickup the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal near Purton, visiting the remains of the iconic Severn Railway Bridge that was demolished in the 1960s. The few remains were impressive and were certainly worth the extra effort to get to along the trail.
From there we then follow the whole canal trail along the tow path all the way to Gloucester Docks. The winter sun really gave a fragile golden light for the day reflecting mirror images off the still surface of the canal.
Some parts of the trail were tougher than usual comprising only of thick tufts of grass with divots that were energy sapping. But these were relatively short across the whole journey with much being hard packed earth trails though with narrow tyre-width trails between the grass.
The whole journey was about 46 miles and needed some restraint from pressing-on too hard early on. The Severn Way trail along the river bank was extremely muddy and soaked and so I abandoned using the whole of this trail to Sharpness Dock taking to the country roads and heading back to the coast later on. If I had stayed on the trail I would have probably lost an extra hour or more and much needed energy to complete the trip to Gloucester.
This ride delivered more than I expected, I really enjoyed seeing the remaining structures of the old Severn Railway Bridge that I’ve always been fascinated with and which seems on the whole to be largely forgotten.
I hope you enjoy this cycle film!
6 Comments
Nice ride, I enjoyed that! Lots of history in that area. I think you made the right decision taking to the lanes, it looked as if there had been a lot of rain recently.
Very nice, you nailed the feel of it for me. Its a ride I have done a few times and Purton or Sharpness are favorite stopping points, it certainly looked WET!
I never thought to try the door on the tin church but will do next time I am that way.
A interesting variation of part of this route is to start at Gloucester, go down the canal to Saul junction, cut across through Whitminster to the Stroudwater canal.
You can follow this restored canal ( Traffic free) to Stroud and beyond, it then becomes very wild, where the canal is not restored and is a nice ride, all past Chalford right up to Sapperton.
From Sapperton its quiet back lanes to Miserden, Whiteway colony and on to Cranham. Then its down a large hill into Gloucester again.
Lots of interesting stuff on route, 80% off the road on paths and places to stop/get food drink on route.
Recommended if your back up that way.
Take care. 👍
Nice video – I've been thinking of riding the towpath from Gloucester to Sharpness myself and had wondered what condition it'd be in. Now I know! That was a good distance to do, and so much to see. Nice train ride back, seeing Severn Bridge lit up too. Oh… but it looks like someone had to wash their bike when they got home!
I love this stretch of canal. I’ve walked it and paddle boarded parts but just haven’t yet cycled it. Same with the Monmouthshire and Brecon canal. Anyway great viewing and you’ve given me the inspiration to cycle both routes with my kids. next spring. 😂
Great video and nice tribute to your Nan. I hadn’t realised how muddy the canal towpath gets in places as have only ridden the last bit into Gloucester. Another time if you are on the lanes there’s a nice Gelato called Wholly near Elmore (opening limited in Winter though).
Great video. Very impressive sunrise footage. I've done some of these sections myself and suffered with the mixed terrain. i.e. the wheels stopped moving with the mud..! Well done for getting a good day for a winter ride. 👍