The Great British Bike Off!

1,200-mile cycle path from Land’s End to John O’Groats

IT’S time to dust off your bike that’s been idling in the shed.

Cyclists could be able to ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats without braving dangerous roads, under plans for a route stretching nearly 1,200 miles.

The ambitious network of bridleways is being devised to allow cyclists – as well as riders on horseback – to travel the length and breadth of Britain away from traffic.

Currently only 22 per cent of England’s rights of way – 21 per cent in Wales – allow access to cyclists.

But the charity Cycling UK believes cyclists should have the same freedom to roam that ramblers have enjoyed since the turn of the century, when new legislation was introduced.

It envisions bridleways that will follow the national network of hiking trails, such as the Pennine Way.

Where there are no official trails, Cycling UK is plotting a route using a network of smaller bridleways and walking paths.

The charity is also designing a circular route it calls the Wessex Loop – connecting Stonehenge with Winchester, Salisbury and the Ridgeway trail – as well as a path from Kent to Cornwall. It is already possi-

‘Should be open to everyone’

ble to ride the South Downs Way from Eastbourne to Winchester.

The charity’s aim is to open a bike route from Land’s End to John O’Groats in 2020, without constructing any new cycle paths. Riders will initially have to switch to minor roads for a tenth of the distance, with Cycling UK predicting it will take 15 years to open the whole route.

The charity was inspired to act by news of the 2020 opening of the England Coast Path, which will allow hikers to walk around all 2,795 miles of England’s coast and will be the longest of its type in the world.

Paul Tuohy, chief executive of the charity, told The Sunday Times: ‘In 2020 the (England) Coast Path is due to be completed, which is why we’re announcing Cycling UK’s ambition for what should come next; an offroad Land’s End to John O’Groats route open to everyone.’ A group from Cycling UK will test out part of the network on Saturday, riding most of the 150-mile North Downs Way, from Farnham in Surrey to Dover.

It is hoped expanding cycle paths could boost the economy by increasing the number of ‘staycations’.

The Government has earmarked £1billion for new cycling lanes and other initiatives to help persuade more Britons to use bikes instead of cars for shorter journeys.