May
23
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5 of England’s best cycling trails for wild cycling
It’s time to put the out-of-office on and choose your next cycling adventure
Whether you’re looking for an adventure weekend or planning a day trip near you, nothing says ‘off-grid’ like discovering unique views in the English countryside that are off the beaten track. Cycling is one of the best ways to explore the countryside so why not say yes to taking the scenic route?
Compiled by Sussex based adventure bike brand Reilly Cycleworks, discover mountainous hill climbs and get ready to cycle back into England’s hidden historical past.
South Downs Way
Part of the beautiful South Downs National Park spanning sea views, woodland wildlife and undulating hills, you can choose how much of the 100 mile long route to take-on to explore this beautiful and varied scenic route. Running from Winchester to Eastbourne, you can choose your own adventure by planning a day trip or breaking-up the entire route over two to four days.
The Ridgeway, North Downs Link
Coast along the footsteps of history as you weave your way through Britain’s oldest road route, which today is part of a grasslands national trail that runs 87 miles through the Chilterns and the North Wessex Downs. In the days of its origin, this ancient path was well used by travelers and those herding livestock. Now, the west of this route is a popular off-road route with cyclists; you’ll even capture a glimpse of the famous chalk white horses that are carved into the hillsides.
Trans Pennine Path
Mostly off-road and traffic free for the majority of its stretch, this coast-to-coast route runs from Southport to Hornsea is approximately 207 miles long. You’ll find this route peppered with urban areas, historic buildings and quaint villages. Popular with experienced and novice cyclists alike, this route is a great entry point to exploring the great outdoors. Purpose-built, the trail makes great use of disused railway tracks, canal paths and railway history meaning the surfaced paths have gentle gradients making it an ideal route for those getting back into cycling.
Salisbury Plain
Requiring a decent level of fitness,you can travel around 43 miles on the medium route or 68 miles on the longer route. Known as some of the best gravel riding in England, you can pick up your speed thanks to the continuous paths of fast, compacted gravel, ending your day at one of the charming pubs in the area. Expect fantastic views across the expansive plains of this unpopulated MOD land. However, be aware that dates are published each month for where and when live firing is taking place where public access is prohibited, so please check this out when planning your route.
Kielder Forest, Northumberland
There’s something for everyone on this diverse leisure trail making it ideal for planning a break with a group of friends or heading out on a day trip if you’re local to the North East. Rather brilliantly, the park recommends you make use of their skills area so that you can test out your abilities to discover which trail is right for you. If you’re feeling more adventurous, you can take an historic route across the border to Scotland, taking in some of the immense history spanning lakes, forests and open moorlands.
Reilly Cycleworks is a bespoke UK bike brand, designed by cyclists for cyclists. Their best-selling gravel, adventure, road and titanium bikes are built to Mark Reilly’s ground-breaking frame geometry, optimised for comfort and speed.