Runs along the Thames
I have recently discovered the path along the Thames which I find great for traffic-free, pancake flat, off-road runs, long and short. Starting at Thames Valley Park, at the Reading end of the A329M, where there is plenty of easy parking, and then running in the direction of Sonning and Henley, you can continue as far as you like. You must cross the road bridge at Sonning, then continue along the other side of the river until you come to the weir/lock at Shiplake, then follow the signs for the Thames path away from the river (don't take any turnings unless you are told to, you can rely on the signs!). For about 1 mile you are taken through quiet roads in Shiplake village, across the railway and then eventually back alongside the river to continue to Henley and beyond. I am not sure what the path is like during the wetter seasons but it is very good when it is dry. The path only supports single file in places, but it is mainly good for a small group. OK it is not a loop, but the views are good, and they are different in opposite directions, and most routes we do are repetitions anyway. I love running at the Look Out but it is nice to have some other runs as well.
Does anybody else have any runs that they favour?
Cheers
George
Blackwater Valley Path
Well, George, the obvious answer is "it's up to you", given that the whole path is point-to-point, and you usually have to return along the same path unless you devise a circular route taking in only part of it.
A run that I love, used to do a lot from my house, and have done with my Sunday group occasionally, is to park in a small carpark along the Lower Sandhurst Road (OS Ref: 806 627) then run a few miles on the BVP around the lakes, leaving it to run up and over Finchampstead Ridges, through Simon's Wood, past Finchampstead Church, and down to the Tally Ho (now Bluebeckers) at Eversley, and returning back along the BVP for a few more miles to the start point. A distance of about 8 miles, and undulating.
If we do it again this summer, I will be in contact.
Thames runs
Glad you like it Alex. Envious of those lunchtime runs.
John, where is a good place to start the Blackwater run? Is there convenient parking? Cheers George
George, I too have run
George, I too have run several sections of that path, and have led club rambles along parts of it too. We are so fortunate to live in, what I consider to be, one of the most beautiful counties in England. There are numerous long-distance paths that are great for running or rambling.
One I have been using for years, since I live near Finchampstead, is the Blackwater Valley Path. This is a 34km path that runs along the Blackwater River, from Aldershot to Swallowfield.
John
I love that run George. I
I love that run George. I work at Oracle in Thames Valley Park and in the summer months when I am lucky enough to get a lunch break I head out that way, great for bike riding too
Alex