Traffic Free Cycle Routes Forums

spykal · Moderator

Hi All

In no way would we describe ourselves as "real cyclists" as in: lycra clad, head down & bum up sort of cycling, but when we bought our motorhome we had a bike rack attached to the back and we bought two touring bikes to go on it. The idea was to use them to get to the shops, beach, pub, town etc. and we did use them for this at first....then we discovered that there are miles and miles of traffic free cycle routes all around the country. I am starting this thread in order to share some of the details of the cycle routes that we have discovered and enjoyed. If any of you know of any good cycle routes please add them to this thread.

When we started using the bikes if we did five or six miles in a day we thought we had done well...now we regularly do up to 20 miles in a day, we could always do more but we do have difficulty in passing attractive wayside pubs without checking them out.

There is an excellent cycle route website "Sustrans" ......the blurb on the site says "Sustrans - the sustainable transport charity - works on practical projects to encourage people to walk, cycle and use public transport in order to reduce motor traffic and its adverse effects. " Well it is not just blurb; the site is filled with ideas and routes to try. It also has a mapping feature which is one of the best available online.

PamNPete

Hi spykal elcome to the world of 'freewheeling'

We both used to be racing cyclists (though if you watch the tour ( letour.fr ) de france you will see that they do not ride HEAD down & bum up. Your talking about TRACK racing

we used to do some 150 - 200 miles in the day Then some time back we returned to cycling & got up to 20 miles

We did the Yorkshire Dales Cycle way bit hilly quietish roads (but were used to quiet roads here) 240 miles we took 14 days & stopped at every YHA in the dales

Quite often we take the bikes out on the van & stop for a ride in the forests or across the hills on bridle ways
We were stopped by one fellow who tried to stop us till it was pointed out that pedestrians have to give way to horses & pedal cyclists & at that time I was a National Park Warden

I have a route for an alternative C2C ride mostly off road

Best is going down hill

spykal · Moderator

[quote:11b6452ae1="PamNPete"](though if you watch the tour ( letour.fr ) de france you will see that they do not ride HEAD down & bum up. Your talking about TRACK racing
Best is going down hill[/quote:11b6452ae1]

Hi PamnPete
Yes but you know what I mean...we go slow! Our feet don't exactly fly on the pedals any more!
We always have watched Le tour (not this year we were away in van)...for the sport, scenery and especially David Duffields commentary. I know a few of the older local cyclists and I have "primed" a few sprints, when we had round the houses racing in our town centre, but I have never been out cycling with our local "wheelers", they were always too fit for me and they still are!
My two wheel prowess was, I am afraid to admit to a cyclist, motor powered...my early years were spent at moto cross (then called scrambling), speedway and grasstrack racing.

You mention going downhill..our last bike route adventure was in the Peak district and after a long slow climb up to Monsal Head the run down to Ashford in the Water was exilarating to say the least!

Our discovery of all the Traffic Free cycle routes has changed the way we use the van, we enjoy getting out on the bikes...and away from the motorised traffic so much that we plan our trips away around the cycle routes.

You too have a great Xmas and a Happy New Year

Mike

peejay · Campsite DB Admin

Hi Mike,

A great idea for a post!

We too take every oportunity to take the bikes with us and visited the camel trail many years ago when we had a c^r*v%n.

Could i recommend ferrymeadows caravan club site near peterborough

chrisandee

Milton Keynes has an excellent traffic free cycle system (Redway) that covers the whole city and surrounding countryside - lots of parks - canals - lakes etc.
VERY highly recommended.

Chris

spykal · Moderator

Hi Pete and Chris
thanks for the replies, I just checked the Sustrans maps for both Peterborough and Milton Keynes, both towns have a well developed traffic free cycle route system.

Mike

peejay · Campsite DB Admin

Chris wrote;

[quote:982c3661c9]Milton Keynes has an excellent traffic free cycle system (Redway) that covers the whole city and surrounding countryside - lots of parks - canals - lakes etc.
VERY highly recommended.
[/quote:982c3661c9]

Chris,

can you recommend any good cl's / sites for M Keynes?

pete.

pedallers2

Some more Derbyshire cycle trails are listed here:

MandyandDave · Moderator

Plenty of cycle ways around the Harrogate District, many parts still under developement.

Suitable for long walks too!

M&D