2021 Circular ride down to South Coast

The route was taking me through Tewkesbury, Bristol, Bournemouth, Worthing, Woking and Luton, 476miles, over 9 days riding. A few years ago no one would go touring with less than 27 gears, now I've finished this ride with 11 speed, single 36t chainring but it didn't make any difference and I didn't notice.With this route I organised it on Komoot following main tracks but I didn't know what or where I was going to see...The ride into Bristol was so hilly it was ridiculous 21% at Henbury, after 50+ miles it was a bit heavy, up and down until you get to Redland. Stay the night and next day with family then made my way to Wincanton. After leaving Bath you go through 2 tunnels which are both over a mile long, they haven't spent a lot of money on lighting. Once you get to Willow there is a livery and cafe and the Mendips. This is where you come across the hills, steep going up 20% but the down hill is along single track roads which are not very good condition, you can only see about 50mm to 100m with hedges and trees, so it's difficult to ride fast as you are braking at the bends. The hills go on fo a long time or most for the ride to Wincanton. The views are amazing. From there hills flatten out and a bit easier going into Bournemouth. This is where the traffic changes, not having patience with cyclists, having to wait to cross the road at junctions, not wanting to play with the cars on roundabouts. So the going was slower. The route takes you through Longleat which was good. The south coast was good but now there are people to contend with along with the traffic. The coast line is flat but because of the layout you have to follow some main roads on a small path alongside. Here you have people and stinging nettles to compete with. Good rides with good views. The ride through the New Forest was great but the tracks were newly laid loose stone which were deep in place making it difficult to climb some slopes. Lots of people on bikes making it slow again. After Worthing you go along the coast to Shoreham by Sea and turn north towards London. All the way to Guildford you are on gravel track, no hills other than the beginning where you go over the South Downs. This day there was a light drizzle until Guildford making the surface slippery with the stone peaking through the small gravel. Brilliant ride, on dry day it would be fast with great views.Got to Woking and this is where the London type traffic really kicks in. Not letting you cross the road at junctions even making zebra crossings a bit iffy. Rolling hills until I got to Luton. Passed through Harpenden, Uxbridge, St Albans and Old Windsor. You are on and off the busy road, through nature areas where you can hear the traffic all the time. Leaving Luton I biked to Milton Keynes to catch the train back to Coventry.Most of the towns and cities I stopped at had some history going on and there was always time at the end of the day after showering. Portsmouth, Bristol and Bath all have a lot of history.The ride was good fun even the hilly parts where I ended up walking, at times it was looking for food was most demanding where you can leave the bike safely.