Will
in 1976, the TransAmerica coast-to-coast cycling trail was launched, as part of the USA’s bicentennial, and since then, many thousands of cyclists, from around the world, have cycled the route. One such cyclist is the ever-amazing Juliana Buhring (who makes a cameo appearance in this book). However, the most remarkable stories about the TransAm comes … Read more
No, not that Central Park. This route runs through Central Park, in Plymouth. The land that forms Central Park is held in trust, and may only be used for leisure facilities, for the people of Plymouth. Started in 1928, and formally opened in 1931, despite what the local legend says, Plymouth’s Central Park isn’t older … Read more
Do you ever go cycling, or walking, with young kids? What if I told you that you could easily add a bit of magic to those outings? How? By doing Fairy Trails! Fairy Trails are being embedded into more and more of the traffic-free cycle routes listed on WillCycle. To play, simply visit the route … Read more
Revelstoke drive was created in the 1880s, by Edward Baring, the first Baron Revelstoke, as a horse-carriage route, to show off some of the most scenic parts of his Membland estate. Edward’s bad financial luck meant he was forced to dispose of the Membland estate (the manor house was demolished later) but it’s our good … Read more
Penzance to Marazion cycle path The Bay To Bay Multi-Use path runs from Penzance station to the edge of Marazion, some 2.3 miles away. The path was built in 2022, using smashed concrete from the Penzance promenade as sub-base. The path runs along the coastal flood defences, and is sandwiched between the railway line, and … Read more
The Tarka Trail is simply stunning, and this section is exceptional, in so many ways. With glorious views over the incredible Taw and Torridge estuary, the route offers waterside tranquillity, mixed with rural, traffic-free bliss, along a disused railway. There are a number of cafés along the route, from the start at the Barnstaple train … Read more
The Tarka Trail offers some of the very best traffic-free cycling available in the UK. This 3.5 mile segment is disconnected from the rest of the Tarka Trail though. Starting adjacent to the site of the old Ilfracombe railway station, the route follows the track of the old Ilfracombe branch of the London & South … Read more
Somewhere along some of WillCycle’s traffic-free routes, there are stickers hidden. Those were been placed there deliberately, in a spot that requires effort to reach. It won’t appear on any map. Nobody is going to tell you where it is. And the first WillCycler to find it and send proof will have their first name … Read more
The Wye Valley Greenway is a stunning, 5 mile route that is not only useable by trikes, cargo bikes and more, but is also wheelchair-friendly. Do note though that the kilometre-long Tidenham tunnel is only open between the 1st of April to the 30th of September, and closed at night. There is a signed, on-road … Read more
This route guide actually covers more than just the Great Central Way, and includes some towpaths, and other traffic-free paths, to extend the route to 11.7 miles, ending in Cossington. It makes for a gorgeous, almost entirely traffic-free day out. Great Central Way cycle route overall rating: (Colour explanation: blue = good, yellow indicates some … Read more
This scenic 7.7 mile path mostly follows the track of the old Midland and Southwestern Junction Railway, linking Chiseldon and Marlborough. It’s a shared path, and also a bridleway, so expect to encounter horses at times. Chiseldon to Marlborough Railway Path cycle route overall rating: (Colour explanation: blue = good, yellow indicates some warning, and … Read more
We’ve all been there: you planned a glorious route for a bike ride. You checked OS Maps and confirmed it’s a bridleway that you may legally use. You planned a 50 mile loop, using that bridleway to avoid a nasty, busy A-road. Then you arrive, and that “legal right of way” is a chest-high sea … Read more
In the Tour de France, the Lanterne Rouge is the rider who finishes dead last. They are the survivor, the tail-light in the dark, and if we’re being honest, the person who probably had the most interesting day. While the hardcore roadies are busy staring at their power meters and sweating through their Lycra to … Read more
Those of you who (like me) are of a certain age, will probably fondly remember the film The Breakfast Club. Released in 1985, it brilliantly tells the story of a bunch of teenagers doing after-school detention. This post is entirely unrelated to that movie, except for a gratuitous intro paragraph, and the same name. Cycling … Read more
The TL:DR version of this book is Moats and her 18yo son cycled across Europe, to Asia, unsupported. And to be fair, that alone should give you plenty of reason to read this book. After all, how many long-distance cycling tales of a mother and son combo have you heard of, let alone read? A … Read more