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Ten Cycle Routes in Bedfordshire |
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1. Beds Cycle Routes 2 - Dunstable Downs at Dunstable
This short ride winds through the chalk downlands of Dunstable, Whipsnade Downs and Totternhoe Knolls, passing Whipsnade Tree Cathedral. There are superb views across Bedfordshire along the route.
Suggested Start / Finish point: This circular ride can begin from Dunstable town centre or Dunstable Downs. Start Nat GR: TL008197.
How to get there by car/Parking: Dunstable is just east of Junction 11 of the M1, on the A505. The Downs can be reached from the A5. There is parking at Dunstable Downs, or in Dunstable town centre.
Cycle Route: Dunstable - Eaton Bray - Whipsnade - Totternhoe (natural interest)
Miles: 12
2. The Sewell Greenway at Dunstable
The Sewell Greenway provides a delightful route for walkers, cyclists and horse riders to escape into nature. Built on the old railway line between Stanbridgeford and French's Avenue in Dunstable, the land is a County Wildlife Site boasting diverse flora and chalk grassland habitats.
Suggested Start / Finish point: The Greenway starts from Dunstable High Street North (the A5). Start Nat GR: TL014223
How to get there by car/Parking: Dunstable is just east of Junction 11 of the M1, on the A5. There are car parks in Dunstable.
Cycle Route: Dunstable - Sewell - Stanbridgeford (natural interest)
Miles: 2
3. Beds Cycle Routes 4 - Woburn Wander at Woburn
This exhilarating ride through the undulating, wooded landscape of Bedfordshire's Greensand Ridge, starts in the historic market town of Woburn.
Start / Finish point: This circular route starts from the car park opposite St Mary's Church in Woburn. Start Nat GR: SP948332.
How to get there by car/Parking: Woburn is situated in south-west Bedfordshire, between the M1 and the A5, just south-east of Milton Keynes. A421, from junction 13 of the M1 motorway. There is a car park opposite St Mary's Church in Park Street, Woburn.
Cycle Route: Woburn - Toddington - Milton Bryan
Miles: 19
4. Shannon Trail at Potton
The Shannon Trail is
a circular route that commences from the old Georgian town of Potton, which is
situated in the east of Mid Bedfordshire.
It leaves Potton along King Street and then winds its way in a clockwise
direction through to the villages and hamlets of Gamlingay, the Hatleys, Croyden,
Shingay, the Mordens, Wrestlingworth and Cockayne Hatley, before returning to
Potton.
Using country lanes and 'B' roads this beautiful route takes you through the
open and rolling countryside of Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire borders.
The full route is well worthwhile, but should you wish, you can cut your cycling
time slightly by taking the short cut through Guilden Morden, instead of cycling
around Steeple Morden.
Start / Finish Point: Market Square, Potton on the eastern borders of Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire. Start Nat GR: TL224493.
How to get there by car/parking: Potton is reached by the B1040 from Biggleswade and B1042 from Sandy. There is a free car park on Brook End off Royston Street.
Cycle Route: Potton - Gamlingay - Hatleys - Croyden - Shingay - Mordens - Wrestlingworth - Cockayne Hatley
Miles: 21
5. Rides on the Wild Side No. 1 Streatley at Streatley
This is one of a series of short rides through the countryside in South Bedfordshire. It is a circular ride following minor roads and tracks through the countryside. It is possible to start the ride from other points from Warden Hill - see map for details.
Start/Finish Point: Start from the junction of the A505 and Butterfield Green Road. Start Nat GR: TL107243.
How to get there by car/Parking: From Luton take A505 towards Hitchen , Butterfield Green Road is just before The Vale Cemetery. Parking is available at the start point.
Cycle Route: Streatley - Lilley
Access: Stile-free
Miles: 8
6. Beds Cycle Routes 8 - Old Warden at Old Warden
Lovely scenery, picturesque villages and historic sites are just some of the attractions on this circular route.
Start / Finish point: This circular ride begins and ends at the car park beside Old Warden Church, but can easily be joined from Bedford by reversing the ride from Cardington described in Bedfordshire Cycle Routes - Marston Vale. Start Nat GR: TL137444.
How to get there by car/Parking: Old Warden is signposted from the A600, about 6 miles south east of Bedford. There is a car park beside Old Warden Church.
Cycle Route: Old Warden - Southill - Ireland - Cardington - Cople - Northill - Ickwell (Historical interest)
Miles: 16
7.Route 51 MK - Bedford - Sandy Cycle Way at Bedford
Route 51 takes you from the buzzing contemporary city of Milton Keynes, through quiet villages and gentle countryside, along the elegant Ouse embankment at Bedford and on to Sandy, with its RSPB nature reserve.
Start/ Finish Point: Campbell Park in Central Milton Keynes. End Description Sandy
Town Centre.
From junction 14 M1 take the A509 (H5) towards central Milton Keynes. Campbell
Park is on your right and can be accessed from North Skeldon or Belvedere
roundabout
Please note: The off-road section between Rooktree Farm (Hulcote) and the
ancient woodland of Marston Thrift (Cranfield) is currently unsuitable for
cycles. An on-road diversion from Salford to Cranfield has been signposted.
Cycle Route: Milton Keynes - Wavendon - Salford - Cranfield - Marston Moretaine - Wootton - Kempston - Bedford - Willington - Blunham - Sandy
Miles: 30
8. The Greenwood Cycle Trail at Marston Moretaine
This scenic trail allows you to enjoy a leisurely cycle ride that is suitable for all standards of cyclists. Following this trail takes you out and about the villages and hamlets of North Bedfordshire.
Suggested Start / Finish point: Marston Vale Forest Centre Start Nat GR: TL004416.
How to get there by car/Parking: The Forest Centre is well signposted just off the A421 at Marston Moretaine and only 5 minutes from J13 off the M1. From the M1 Motorway head towards Bedford and turn right at the first roundabout. A quick left-and-right, and you'll find us down on the left. Parking is available at the Forest Centre. The Car Park is free and open to the public from 10am - 4pm in winter or until 6pm in summer.
Cycle Route: Marston Moretaine-Lower Shelton-Wootton Green-Wootton-Hall End-Wood End-Kempston West End-Stagsden West End-Astwood-Bourne End-Upper Shelton
Access: Stile-free
Miles: 23
9. The Grand Union Canal Cycle Route at Leighton Buzzard
This 6 miles of the canal towpath between Leighton Buzzard and Bletchley has been improved for everyone to use and enjoy - walkers, joggers, wheelchair users, cyclists, anglers and boaters. The route forms part of the National Cycle Network between Milton Keynes, Luton and London.
Start/finish point: Start at Black Bridge, Leighton Buzzard Start Nat GR: SP916242
How to get there by car/parking: Leighton Buzzard lies to the north of the A505, about 8 miles to the west of Dunstable. There is parking off of Leighton Road or at the train station. There is parking off of Leighton Road in Leighton Buzzard or at the train station. Car parking is also available in Bletchley at the Blue Lagoon Park.
Cycle Route: Bletchley - Water Eaton - Stoke Hammond - Three Locks - Old Linslade - Leighton Buzzard
Access: Stile-free, Gradient-free
Miles: 6
10. Beds Cycle Routes 3 - Marston Vale at Bedford
This attractive circular ride around mid-Bedfordshire meanders through several lovely villages and visits the historic Georgian market town of Ampthill on the Greensand Ridge.
Start / Finish Point: This circular route begins in Horne Lane, Bedford, on the cycle path running along the north side of the River Ouse. Start Nat GR: TL048496.
How to get there by car/Parking: Bedford is located on the junction of the A6, A421 and A428, about 15 miles north-east of Milton Keynes and 18 miles north of Luton. It is around 40 miles north of London and is reached via the A421, from junction 13 of the M1 motorway. There are various car parks in Bedford town centre.
Cycle Route: Bedford-Cardington-Ampthill-Maulden-Millbrook-Marston Moretaine-Lower Shelton-Upper Shelton-Wootton-Kempston
Miles: 27
For more information on these and other cycle routes in Bedfordshire, please visit http://www.letsgo.org.uk/
Or alternatively visit the Local Information Database. Click on Search and then enter “Cycling” in Keyword to find interesting links, clubs and societies.
