GREAT BRITISH CYCLE ROUTES

Britain is blessed with a wide choice of long-distance cycle routes to suit all ages and abilities. Many of them can be split into day rides – here are some of my favourites.

Scottish Borders

The Tweed Cycleway starts from 650 feet above sea level in Biggar and winds for 95 miles through lovely border country to Berwickupon-Tweed, so it’s downhill. Level of difficulty: 3

cyclescottishborders. com/route/tweed-cycle-route

East Anglia

Good for families, the Fakenham to Harwich Cycle Route is one of the flattest routes in the country. Options of 163 miles or 114 miles with ferry crossings. Level of difficulty: 1

sustrans.org. uk/ncn/map/route/fakenham-to-harwich

Lake District

The C2C route from Whitehaven to Sunderland merges with sections of the Lakes and Dales Loop on a spectacular 147-mile traverse of the northern Lakes and Pennines. Level of difficulty: 4

c2c-guide.co.uk

Wales

The 250 miles Lon Las Cymru Trail is seriously challenging, traversing three mountain ranges the length of Wales from Holyhead to Cardiff or Chepstow. Level of difficulty: 5

sustrans.org.uk/ncn/map/route/lon-lascymru-holyhead-cardiff-chepstow

Somerset

The South Somerset Cycle Route from Yeovil is a circular 80 miles meander through rural West Country and historic towns. Level of difficulty: 2

discoversouthsomerset.com/ media/63892/2011_cycle_route_final_ version.pdf

Lancashire/Yorkshire

The Way of the Roses is a 170-mile coast-to-coast trail from Morecambe to Bridlington through the Lune Valley, the Forest of Bowland and the Yorkshire Dales. Level of difficulty: 5.

sustrans.org. uk/ncn/map/route/way-of-the-roses

Devon

Ideal for beginners, the Devon Coast-to-Coast Route is an easy 100-mile ride from Ilfracombe to Plymouth. The views rather than the climbs take your breath away. Level of difficulty: 2

cycle.travel/route/devon_c2c

For more information see the website of the National Cycle Network charity Sustrans (sustrans.co.uk).

LEVELS OF DIFFICULTY

An easy potter, suitable for families with young children. Fairly easy, no problem for older children Moderate with some hill climbs Challenging gradients require good level of fitness For club cyclists and the super fit

The Tarka Trail in Devon: plenty of scenic cycle routes can be tackled by children