Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire has a wide variety of cycle rides and terrains to suit all. From family days out on routes that wind off-road through areas filled with wildlife and industrial heritage, to the steep hills and breathtaking views of the Cotswolds, mixed with purpose built Mountain Biking facilities and city centre cycle paths. Â
The Forest of Dean has many different off-road cycling routes for those that are new to riding. There is a traffic free 9 mile circular route, suitable for all ages, along the old Severn and Wye railway line starting and finishing at Mallards Pike Lake Car park off the B4234.Â
Download the route map and information leaflet here.
Alternatively, there is the Sustrans Stroud Valley Trail. It is a traffic free route that begins in Stonehouse and follows the line of the old Midland railway finishing in Nailsworth. An out and back route ending where you started is 10 miles.
If you are interested in hiring bikes for family days out, the Forest of Dean has Peddle A Bike Away Hire and in the Cotswold Water park you can hire bikes from Go-By-Cycle in Somerford Keynes.
If you are looking for longer term bike hire then The Bicycle Hub in Cheltenham can help.
For those wanting a longer ride, the Cotswold Area of Natural Beauty has created a 30 mile route in the South of Gloucestershire that takes in chocolate box Cotswold villages, small climbs and the historic market town of Tetbury. A map of this ride and detailed route information can be found here.
Alternatively, National Cycle Network route 41 connects the flat open countryside surrounding the River Severn near to Berkeley and Slimbridge with Gloucester and Cheltenham via the Sharpness Canal. Find out more.
For more information on cycle routes across Gloucestershire check out these websites:Â