Cycling as a family offers numerous benefits! It is eco-friendly and cost effective (after the initial outlays), allowing you the opportunity to enjoy time together in nature. Cycling also improves fitness, strengthens family bonds and improves mental wellbeing. So join us and get on your bike!
Can you cycle once a week?
Can you cycle to school or work?
How many miles can you do this month?
Finding cycling routes
A good old fashioned Google search or for a lot of people, use AI. This will produce some person centred results depending on your specific criteria.
Forestry England – Offer off-road, family friendly routes with varying difficulties in forests dotted around England. There’s also numerous forest cycling trails in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Let’s Ride – Ran by British Cycling, showing available routes, group led rides, community groups and more in your area.
Walk Wheel Cycle Trust (formally Sustrans) – The charity behind the National Cycle Network – a network of signed paths and routes across the UK, parts of which are traffic free.
Apps like Komoot and AllTrails allow you to search for routes near you.
If you own a OS map, you’re allowed to cycle on any bridleway. Just be careful as some may have gates or stiles to negotiate.
Cycling the Blue Trail (AKA “Robin Hood”) in Sherwood Pines
Tips and Ideas
Plan routes that are suitable for all the family. Whether you want traffic free, flat or a challenge.
Think about location. Can you transport your bikes, or do you need to cycle from home? There is also hiring cycles in places such as Forestry England.
Snacks and drinks breaks – see our recipe on healthy trail mix
Play games like I-spy or do a scavenger hunt to prioritise the experience over distance.
Safety – Make sure you wear your safety gear and check the bikes over before every ride.
