NCN 4 from London to Bristol is Sustrans’ gold standard route, used by Cycle Orbital almost throughout this route, and also for Arc 9, Spoke 6 and Spoke 6-7.
We spin off at Dorney lake (a popular triathlon venue as well as Olympic rowing site), over the Thames by cycle bridge, R on Monkey Island Lane to 1.8 Bray , after which NCN4 turns N to take in Maidenhead; Cycle Orbital bypasses the Maidenhead suburbs by using The Causeway, crossing A308 2.3 then L Kimber Rd 2.9, truncated by the A404(M) motorway, so crossed by ramped footbridge 3.1. Regain NCN4 at Highfield Lane 4.2. After suburban winding through Cox Green the route goes off-road to Knowl Hill 7.5, where there is a choice; L to stay with NCN 4 routing, cross the A4 7.7 R - L and you are treated to a substantial off-road climb up and over Bowsey Hill on NCN 4. For the on-road alternate R at Knowl Hill 7.5, R - L again at the A4 to Warren Row, home of a famous cyclists cafe/workshop, VeloLife, well worth the visit, or the detour.
At 9.4 Crazies Hill it’s L for NCN4 towards Reading or a train via Twyford link*, or straight on for the end of the spin-off at a fork in the road: L on Worsleys Lane for Henley avoiding the busy A4130 Remenham Hill, then on into Oxfordshire; straight on Culham Lane for Aston, where you can cross the Thames at Hambledon Lock, on into the Chilterns.
*footnote for Freedom Pass users: The TfL-run Elizabeth Line accepts these beyond West Drayton (Oyster Zone boundary) all the way to Reading.
