Twenty-odd miles of COR with barely a mile of tarmac in the middle. Joined the K&A south of Bath and instead of taking to the road as usual, continued through Sydney Gardens and on. Discovered that it is possible to follow the canal to the point where it joins the Avon, as long as you don't mind carrying your bike up some steps, and (re)discovered some industrial archaeology bits I haven't seen since the early 90s. It was all a bit jungly back then, now it's manicured and has ice cream huts. Then along the riverside, proper COR now. Easy as far as Saltford boathouse, then the gates started, and more steps. Used a short section of Railway Path where the riverside trail peters out (looking at the map I see this also cut out a sewage farm) then back to the track. And more kissing gates. The other side of Keynsham I met the first cyclist, a mountain biker who admired my Surly. I admired his Anything Cages fixed with zip ties and a couple of rolls of electrical tape to the suspension forks. He informed there were "several" more gates and he was right. Fortunately it opens up once you get into Hanham – although there are horses standing in the middle of the path, grazing, and they wouldn't budge! The walkers and dog people were more compliant and no unfavourable reactions at all. One dog chased me but as its legs were about two inches long, it was never going to catch anyone other than an unsteady toddler.
I left the path at Netham Lock but you should be able to stay waterside all the way to Pill. I'd say this makes a fun but slow route as long as you're willing and able to lift your bike over numerous gates. Fat tyres not needed but not suitable for tourers! This was tacked on the end of a 60-mile road ride, so had a good day out in the sun. No cake, but did have an ice cream.
