- Forest Adventure – Some excellent cycling is available in Forestry Commission woods on well surfaced paths. Bracknell Forest is detailed on route 19, which has excellent family rides and a more challenging singletrack area. Wendover Forest also has excellent family rides and a dedicated off road and downhill area called Aston Hill. To use Aston hill area you need to have a pass or be a member, available on 01296 489729 or www.firecrestmtb.com. Both forests have good parking, toilet and picnic facilities.
- Ridgeway Adventure – The Ridgeways 90 miles offers some great cycling. The first half from Overton Hill to Streatley is the best section for cycling with well drained paths and expansive views. Following the Ridgeway is easy with good signage throughout. Why not make a weekend of it with an overnight stop. Trains to Swindon and the start and Goring are regular from Reading. Contact Thames & Chiltern Tourist Board accommodation details 01933 778800.
- Sustrans Adventure – Sustrans are the organisation behind the National Cycle Network, who have been developing a 4000 mile cycle network throughout the country. These routes are either traffic free or use minor roads systems. In this area there are 2 long routes to enjoy. A) Severn & Thames: Bristol to Newbury (128 miles) – uses minor roads, old railways and path and the Kennett and Avon Canal. It travels through Bath, Bradford & Avon, Devises and Hungerford. It is manageable over a weekend. Trains to Bristol from Reading. B) Thames Valley Cycle Route: (98 miles) – travel from Putney to Oxford via Windsor, Maidenhead, Reading and Abingdon. The route uses the Thames Path and travels through Richmond Park and Windsor great Park in the first half. The second half uses minor roads and cycle track to Oxford. Again a great weekend ride or do a smaller section for a day. Trains to Ealing Broadway for Putney and the start go from Maidenhead. The route maps for these rides are available at Bike shops and book shops. Visit www.sustrans.org. for details.
- London – Over the past decade or so London has become an increasingly safe and exciting city to cycle in .It is no longer used just by commuters but as a destination to enjoy leisure cycling for all the family. The Grand Union and Regents Canal offer very safe ways to get in and across London, whilst all the major parks have cycle routes through them .It is quite feasible to go by train or car into London then enjoy a ride around central London with very little direct interaction with traffic. A route that I have completed with children many times starts in Hyde park then goes up to Paddington to get onto Regents Canal. From then onto Little Venice, skirting Regents Canal passing Lords and London Zoo into Regents Park. From there using quieter streets you pick your way through Euston ,Russell Square,Hatton Gardens, Smithfields, St Pauls then over the Millennium bridge. Once over the river its bankside to Westminster bridge passing Big Ben, then down Horesguards, The Mall, Constitution Hill, through Wellington arch and back into Hyde Park. Total mileage about 15 miles, seeing all the sights. Routes are available at https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/cycling/ and at Sustrans.org.