The weekend is coming up, and what better way to blow away the cobwebs than to go for a bike ride? Sales of bikes have soared during lockdown, and cycling has increased by as much as 300% as people take to their bikes to avoid public transport and get some exercise. So if you live in or around Bristol and are looking for somewhere to take your bike this weekend, here are some beautiful cycle routes for you to check out.
Bristol Harbour loop
Distance: 2.7 mi
If you just want a short jaunt on your bike without getting too far out of the city, you can do this pleasant loop around Bristol’s Harbourside. The route takes in Queen Square, the SS Great Britain and Bristol Marina, and there are a number of cafes and pubs with outdoor seating for you to stop at along the way.
Ashton Court
Distance: 6.6 mi
This cycle route will quickly get you out of the heart of the city and into the beautiful green spaces of the Ashton Court estate. It is essentially an extension of the Bristol Harbour loop, and it takes you over the Clifton Suspension Bridge and around the grounds of Ashton Court. Plus, if you’re into off-roading, the estate also boasts a 4-mile mountain biking trail!
Frome Greenway loop
Distance: 9.7 mi
This is another route that starts from the heart of Bristol, in Queen Square, and this one takes you on a tour of northeast Bristol, into Easton and St Werburgh’s. This trip will take you past the iconic ‘yellow castle’, the Dower House in Stoke Park – ideal for a photo opportunity.
Bristol to Portishead
Distance: 11.3 mi each way
One of the quickest ways to get to the coast from Bristol, this route takes you under the Clifton Suspension Bridge and out to the town of Portishead on the Severn Estuary. You will also pass pretty Leigh Woods, and once you reach Portishead you can visit the beach and the marine lake – a great route if you want a change of scenery and to get out of the city for a day.
Bristol and Bath Railway Path
Distance: 13.9 mi each way
Perfect if you’re looking for a longer ride that isn’t too challenging, the Bristol and Bath cycle path is a flat, tarmacked path built on the route of an old railway line that connects the two cities. You can start from Bristol City Centre in the morning, reach Bath by lunchtime, and then cycle back in the afternoon – a lovely day out!
Avon Cycleway
Distance: 85.5 mi
This is one for the hardcore cyclists among you: an 85-mile circuit of the city, linking together a number of major cycle routes in and around Bristol. Be aware that some of this route is on fast roads, so it’s only for experienced bikers, but if you are up to it then you’ll be able to see woods, estuaries, hills and lakes on this grand tour of the countryside surrounding Bristol.
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Cover photo by Gemma Evans on Unsplash
