Members’ Rides
If you are looking for ideas for rides, you can read about the experiences of Spokes’ members and see what routes they recommend below. Some of the routes have GPS files available. For information on accessing these files please see here.
If your favourite ride isn’t listed please send the details to routes@spokesgroup.org.uk. Share any hints or tips you have with other riders. If you agree, these will also be included in the Newsletter and any photos you have will also be very welcome.
Spokes exists to encourage and campaign for cycling, and if you would like to support its work you can join the group.
Newsletter Articles
A Weekend of Cycling around Bath – newsletter 117. GPS files are available here, scroll through the list to find them.
Basque Region (Spain) – newsletter 78.
Coast and Castles – newsletter 120. A GPS file is available here.
Cycling In Burma – newsletter 81.
Cycling In Germany – newsletter 82.
Cycling The Baltic States – newsletter 95.
Cycling Trip To Holland – newsletter 87.
Devon Coast to Coast – newsletter 91.
France and Belgium WW1 Cycle Tours – newsletter 95.
Hadrian’s Cycleway – newsletters 115 and 117. A GPS file for part of the route, slightly modified from the official route, is available here.
Hartington Weekend (Peak District) – newsletter 70.
Land’s End to John o’Groats – two articles in newsletter 115.
Lanzarote – Land of Volcanoes – newsletter 79.
Leiden Cycling (Netherlands) – newsletter 117. GPS files are available here.
St Raphael to St Malo (France) – newsletter 113.
Viking Trail – newsletter 113. A GPS file is available here.
Recommended Long Distance Cycling Routes
Caledonia Way – a stunning 234-mile long-distance route through Scotland’s breathtaking countryside, passing lochs and mountains before ending in Inverness. Whilst there are some very steep hills, at just over 13,000′ of ascent, overall not a seriously challenging route. Suggestion: If you are limited for time, the Oban to Inverness section was the most scenic and varied part though the few miles of the route immediately before Oban is a delight.
Coast and Castles using the inland option from Berwick – a 200 mile route. More information in an article in the Spokes Newsletter xxx. A GPS file, which extends the route to finish in Glasgow, is available here. Comment: Whilst the route profile does show a sharp peak from Innerleithen, on the ground it is a lovely gradual 11 mile ascent with the reward of a fantastic 3 mile descent!
Dartmoor Way Cycle Route – a 95 mile route. Using winding country lanes it passes through pretty villages and offers panoramic views. Dartmoor is the largest and wildest area of open country in Southern England and its moorland is breathtakingly scenic. Suggestion: Consider skipping the southern section from Tavistock to Buckfastleigh and use the High Moor Route via Princetown.
Devon Coast to Coast – a 99 mile route from Ilfracombe to Plymouth. Largely tracing the course of former railway lines, the route takes you through tunnels and across breathtaking viaducts and bridges. The route skirts around the western flank of Dartmoor, offering superb views. Information in newsletter 91. Suggestion: Plan to spend time exploring the Lydford Gorge.
Hadrian’s Cycleway – a 170 mile route from Ravensglass to South Shields. More information in articles in Newsletters 115 and 117. A GPS file for a variant of the route starting from Carlisle is available here. Suggestion: If you have the time, it is worth starting from Ravenglass as the section to Carlisle is very enjoyable. Consider planning for a spare day in Haltwhistle and use the AD122 bus to walk the best section of the wall and explore Housesteads Fort. If you ride the official route and have time for a short ride from Haltwhistle, The Wall And Beyond is a great short ride.
Hebridean Way – a 185 mile route through the Outer Hebrides from Vatersay to the Butt of Lewis. It’s as much an adventure as a cycle route, with ferries to the start and from the finish, and the route itself crosses 10 islands and 6 causeways and uses 2 further ferries. The scenery varies from the beautiful island of Barra, the bleak Uists and the mountainous Harris. Suggestions: The return ferry takes you to Ullapool. The route to Inverness, to catch the train home, has wonderful scenery so consider extending your tour and cycle this last leg. On Harris the official route takes you along the west coast. Check out the option to cycle along the more mountainous east coast.
Land’s End to John o’Groats – an approximately 1000 mile route, there are several variants. More information in articles in Newsletter 115.
Transpennine Way – a 212 mile fantastic route linking the North and Irish seas.
Yorkshire Dales – a 130 mile challenging route visiting most of the major dales in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Comment: Ridden over three days, starting and finishing at Burnsell rather than Skipton, so only 111 miles. Almost 12,500′ of ascent so definitely challenging but fantastic scenery.
Yorkshire Wolds – a 143 mile route. Comment: Completed over three days ride from Beverley. Varied scenery, lovely high level open views, gorgeous valleys and, particularly on the third day, lots of nice villages to ride through. A stop over in Thixendale, a village in a sleepy hollow (no TV, no wifi, no mobile signal or it was in 2017) is recommended. Overall climb 5,800′, so not too challenging a ride (possibly some walking!) and well worth the effort.
Recommended Short Cycling Routes
Brampton Valley Way – a 17 mile route through beautiful countryside between Market Harborough and Northampton.
Cuckoo Trail – a 10 mile route. The names comes from an old Sussex tradition of releasing a cuckoo at the Heathfield Fair. Once a railway line, this trail offers a superb, peaceful, traffic-free route ideal for cyclists.
Viking Trail – a 20 mile route from the village of Cliffsend near Ramsgate to Reculver. It travels along Kent’s coastline, passing spectacular chalk cliffs, sandy beaches, bays and rock pools. More information in an article in Newsletter 113 and the GPS file for a circular route is available here.