Review
Well, we start this ride from the Mason Arms public house, which is situated on the main A38, not far north off the M5 motorway (J16). There is a BP petrol station about halfway between the M5 motorway Junction and the Masons Arms. The Masons Arms has a good size car park with a good firm surface, the pub is a chain pub which serves fair price meals, so ideal for a nice all you can eat breakfast before you start.
The start of the route takes you north through some the little back roads near Sharpness and close to the rear of the Slimbridge wetlands centre. The roads here and on other section of the route are suitable for all bikes as there is no off-road sections, but you will get them dirty as there is a fair few farm roads. The speed limits range from 20mph up to the national speed limit, but caution must be taken as these are small country roads with some farm vehicles around. As you travel from the start RP No 1, to RP No 9, you will see some castles, museums and other POI, all which can provide good stopping off points, I have included them on this route as something to see, but this could be for another day as you may just want to enjoy the scenery. As you go through from RP’s 6 - 8, you may be lucky to see some of the birds coming and going from Slimbridge, Wildfowl & Wetlands as you pass close by. There is an admission cost to visit the WWT Centre, RP 9, please see their Website for further info.


The Stables Cafe, Sandfield Bridge, Canal Bank, Saul, RP 10, is next to another bridge over the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal and where it meets the Stroudwater Canal, while here you may be very lucky to see some tall ships, as Saul junction is on the route that the tall ships take from the River Severn to Gloucester docks a few miles up the canal. Today the junction is still popular with boaters and there are many lovely walks along the idyllic
waterways. A short walk away is Saul Junction Marina and Saul Junction Visitor Centre. The centre is run by the Cotswold Canals Trust. There is PAY & DISPLAY in operation.


There are another two stopping off points to see some birds, RP 14, the Barn Owl centre, which I have only marked down for information and RP 20, the International Centre for Birds of Prey, near Newent, Gloucestershire. They have over 200 birds of prey and more than 75 different species to see up close, some of which are critically endangered. The site boasts 3 daily flying demonstrations and fantastic opportunities for taking photos. This site charges an admission fee to enter, please see their Website for further info.


Locks garage near Allensmore, Hereford, RP 23, is a fantastic place to stop off for an ice cream. The larger than normal ice creams are the staggering price of £1.25 each and this includes a flake. (Dec 2020)


If you ride often in the Brecon Beacons national park, you will have passed along the A40 and straight past the little bottle neck of Crickhowell on to the bigger places in mid Wales, or you will have just stopped at the Oasis snack bar in the Abergavenny bus station. Either way Crickhowell RP 27 is a lovely little place to stop with its selection of public houses, cafes and quirky little shops. While here it is worth walking to see Crickhowell bridge, RP 28, the present structure, is the longest stone bridge in Wales.

As we ride back, we go through the village of Raglan and close to Raglan Castle, you know - that old building to your right as you fly down the A40 to get a coffee in Abergavenny from Gloucester, it’s well worth a visit. Raglan Castle the unmistakable silhouette of Raglan crowning a ridge amid glorious countryside is the grandest castle ever built by Welshmen.


Starting point: The Masons Arms, 94 Gloucester Road, Rudgeway, Bristol BS35 3QJ
End point: Severn View services, M48, J1.