Since 2012 Great Britain has had cycling fever. There was the great Tour de France win of Sir Bradley Wiggins, the heroics of Team GB at the Olympics, the fact that stages of the Tour were held in Britain, and that cycle lanes have since become more and more accessible in cities across the UK.
Chris Froome and Geraint Thomas have added further success to road cycling, and this year once again they will be looking to inspire, as well as the likes of Laura Kenny, Sir Jason Kenny, Katie Archibald and the many more champions that will take to the track in Tokyo.
First up though is the Tour de France. And it’s only a short while away. Taking place from July 2 to July 25, the race never ceases to inspire people to get on their bike. And for many Brits that will certainly be the case. But where should you be cycling?
You could fill an entire bingo card with great cycling spots these days in the UK, and if you’re feeling inspired, then why not fasten your helmet and start pedaling to these great fantastic locations…
Bristol to Bath
If you’re in the South West and looking for a simple and easy ride, then the Bristol to Bath Cycle Path is perfect. It’s a great route for beginners, away from traffic and any unwanted obstacles.
It’s one of a number of off-road leisurely cycle routes in the South West these days, with the likes of Cornwall’s Camel Trail and the Peregrine Path in Monmouth also hugely popular, and a ride on this route shouldn’t miss out on the Warmley Cafe, which offers some fantastic ice cream. There’s also a number of other lovely stop off points, including both Bitton and Saltford, which have a number of great pubs for lunch and interesting sights.
Richmond Park
Rumour has it that Richmond Park has an exclusive 80s pop stars cycle group, so if you’re looking to ditch the 90-ball bingo and go on the hunt for a member of ABC or Spandau Ballet, then this capital city park is the one for you. Richmond Park offers plenty of cycling opportunities, and is both flat and short, meaning you can do as many loops as you please.
A good option is to begin at Roehampton Gate and then round through Sheen Gate and Richmond Gate, before heading back via Sawyer’s Hill. For families especially, this is a great place to cycle, capped off by a picnic on one of the many green spaces within it.
Hadrian’s Cycleway
If you’re looking to test yourself a little more, then the 174 miles between Ravenglass to South Shields along the famous Hadrian’s Wall offers both challenge and beauty. It’s comfortably one of Britain’s great bike rides and welcomes many cyclists to its roads each and every year. It takes around four to five days to complete in total, but there’s nothing stopping you from doing just one day along it.
Anthorn to Carlisle is a lovely day out on the bicycle, offering a mainly flat route that takes in RSPB’s Camfield Marsh which offers some stunning views and a great stop-off. Right along the route you’ll find much more though, from Bowness-on-Solway to the rolling hills of the Pennines and boating lakes of Carlisle.
