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 Henley avoiding the busy A4130 Remenham Hill either via L on Worsleys Lane, then on into Oxfordshire, or straight on Culham Lane for Aston, where you can cross the Thames at Hambledon Lock, on into the Chilterns, or take the new Twyford-Henley Loop to Henley via the famous rowing course, the Chilterns summit at Stoke Row and back to Twyford.
*footnote for Freedom Pass users: The TfL-run Elizabeth Line accepts these beyond West Drayton (Oyster Zone boundary) all the way to Reading.
