Every adventure counts

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A  small  adventure  is  still  an  adventure We live in a hyper-competitive world, where (almost) everyone is constantly trying to outdo the next person. UK politicians are forever bleating about “world-beating” this and “world-beating” that. But you know what? It doesn’t have to be this way. Bigger isn’t always better, and even when it is, ... Read more

Alban Way cycle route

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Alban Way is a six mile long traffic-free cycle route along a disused railway line, linking St Albans with Hatfield. As is usually the case with routes along old railway lines, it’s very flat. The Alban Way cycle route overall rating: (Colour explanation: blue = good, yellow indicates some warning, and red indicates issues to ... Read more

Gravel !

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Traffic-free  gravel  routes Lots of people (including me) enjoy gravel routes. Gravel cycling refers to a middle-ground between road cycling and mountain biking, and gravel bikes are generally dropped-bar bikes with chunky tyres. However, for gravel routes, I’m not at all fussed with the type of bike you’ll use to ride the routes. Instead, I’ll ... Read more

Rutland Water cycle route

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Rutland Water cycle route overall rating: (Colour explanation: blue = good, yellow indicates some warning, and red indicates issues to be aware of) Rutland Water is an artificial reservoir, created in the 70’s. There is a mostly traffic-free cycle route that circles it, offering stunning views along the way. Though not extremely hilly, the route ... Read more

Nun’s Cross Trail cycle route

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Nun’s Cross Trail cycle route overall rating: (Colour explanation: blue = good, yellow indicates some warning, and red indicates issues to be aware of) Nun’s Cross Trail runs from Norsworthy Bridge, Burrator to Princetown, 4.5 miles away. It is graded as a Red route, because there is a stretch where you’ll be riding uphill, over ... Read more

Princetown Railway traffic-free cycle route

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Princetown Railway cycle route overall rating: (Colour explanation: blue = good, yellow indicates some warning, and red indicates issues to be aware of) The Princetown Railway used to run from Plymouth to Princetown. The route that’s described here starts in Princetown and heads to Burrator Reservoir. It is possible to make it an almost entirely ... Read more

Saltram Loop traffic-free cycle route

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Saltram Loop Cycle Route Overall Rating: (Colour explanation: blue = good, yellow indicates some warning, and red indicates issues to be aware of) The Saltram Loop is a six mile, practically completely traffic-free circular route in Plymouth. It runs right through the Saltram Estate, using part of NCN 27, and is suitable for cycling with ... Read more

Crowd-sourcing traffic-free route guides

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YOUR  help  is  needed As you may know, I started creating route guides for traffic-free cycling routes in the UK. Though cycling infrastructure in the UK is overall generally quite poor, there are nevertheless some great traffic-free routes. But  Sustrans  already  covers  this,  don’t  they? Many of these traffic-free routes are part of the National ... Read more

Coffee Ride 2023

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No  reasons,  no  excuses,  no  pretences A Coffee Ride is just a bike ride, with one difference thrown in: somewhere along the ride, you’ll stop to brew your own coffee. That’s right, it’s not a coffee shop ride, but we also don’t want to get stuck on rules. I’m aware that leaves it quite woolly, and ... Read more

The Waskerley Way traffic-free cycle route

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Waskerley Way Cycle Route Overall Rating: (Colour explanation: blue = good, yellow indicates some warning, and red indicates issues to be aware of) The Waskerley Way is a former railway line which was the Stanhope and Tyne railway. It is part of NCN 7 which helps form the long distance Coast 2 Coast route, from ... Read more

Spreading the Christmas cheer

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Aren’t  you  tired  of  getting  yet  another  pair  of  “cycling”  socks? Christmas is about giving, but let’s be honest, receiving worthwhile presents is also nice. Maybe you’re looking for a present for a cyclist in your life. Perhaps you’re looking for a present for yourself? After all, Christmas is a great excuse to get yourself something you ... Read more

The trouble with canal routes…

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I love the serene cycling to be found when cycling along pretty much any of the UK’s many canals. Scenic views, plenty of Industrial Revolution heritage (and I’m a sucker for all that), quaint lock-keeper cottages, Victorian ingenuity and traffic-free bliss all make for a very heady combination. It’s that allure that made me do ... Read more

Bridgwater and Taunton Canal traffic-free cycle route

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Bridgwater and Taunton Canal Cycle Route Overall Rating: (Colour explanation: blue = good, yellow indicates some warning, and red indicates issues to be aware of) The Bridgwater and Taunton Canal is a 14 mile, mostly traffic-free cycling route. As you’d expect from a canal route, it’s very flat. The route takes you through some stunning ... Read more

Whitehaven Rowrah Cycle Trail

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Whitehaven Rowrah Cycle Trail Overall Rating: (Colour explanation: blue = good, yellow indicates some warning, and red indicates issues to be aware of) Built along the route of the Whitehaven, Cleator & Egremont and Rowrah & Kelton Fell Railways, this 11 mile route is traffic-free along most of its length. I started the route as ... Read more

St Austell to Mevagissey traffic-free cycle route

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St Austell to Mevagissey Cycle Route Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ Incorporating part of the Pentewan Valley Trail, and passing right by the Lost Gardens of Heligan, this mostly traffic-free route takes you from St Austell train station to Mevagissey, over a distance of six miles. When starting at the station, there are some on-road sections in ... Read more
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