After an extended break on the outskirts of London, a change of plans had us headed due north towards Cambridge. A brush with the busy traffic near Stansted Airport made us happy to get back into the more rural parts of England. Cycling over rolling green hills, we arrived on the DNA Cycle Path, a fitting approach to a University town renowned for its scientific discoveries.

Biking from Windsor into the heart of London let us experience the many different sides of this great city. From royal parks with ancient trees, to the coronation site for early Anglo-Saxon kings, to a tiny ferry, a giant pedestrian tunnel, and some of the City’s most beloved icons (like, the Tower Bridge), we savored it all. As we watched people go about their business, and chatted with passers by about our journey, we looked forward to a week of R&R in the UK’s biggest city.

As we head eastward along one of England’s grand canals, the land is becoming less rural, and more urban by the kilometer. We emerged from verdant countryside into the bustling city of Reading, where the ruins of an ancient abbey are the center of attention. Then, on to Windsor and its beloved castle, where royals relax for the weekend, and sports clubs use the front lawn for running laps.

We’ve turned due east, heading across the heart of southern England. The terrain is easier, with gently graded rail trails, long, flat stretches along bustling canals, and rolling hills through the North Wessex Downs. From the stately elegance of Bath to lush landscapes dotted with thatched-roof cottages, we’re getting a taste of the English countryside that is best savored from the saddle of a bike.