Wild Cycling: A Pocket Guide Tto 50 Great Rides Off The Beaten Track in Britain

This book is written for all those who love riding off-road. Cycling is a unique way to see and experience wild places and __Wild Cycling__ is a hardworking guide book that takes the reader on a journey through the wild and stunning scenery of the British mainland, whilst providing inspiration and enough information for readers to get out and explore it for themselves. The concept of wild cycling means taking a bike on natural routes to explore wild places. The routes in the book link country lanes, green lanes, bridleways and towpaths to use natural and sometimes ancient ways between places to explore. __Wild Cycling__ is a guide book with inspirational photographs, descriptive copy, annotated route maps and ride profiles and GPS details. An introductory 'how to' section discusses bikes, techniques and safety. The rides are then divided by region and each ride is given between two and six pages depending on length and complexity. The title in each case sums up the ride's spirit and location. A fact-file gives details of ride length, geographical location, highest point, total height gained and notable hills with individual gradients. Each fact-file gives an indication of how hard the ride is, and how wild. Each ride is linked to a person, a race, a challenge, a moment in history or simply a landscape, or anything that makes the ride a unique challenge for two wheels and leg power. The ride names echo those given to rock climbs. A section of each description will draw the reader's attention to points of interest: something, some person or an event that defines or is uniquely connected with each ride. Each route includes 'escape points', where a ride can be cut short in case the weather changes or because of an emergency. Some rides can be completed in half a day, whereas others may take several days with overnight stops. Here is plenty of inspiration for anyone who loves to ride off road and get out into the wild and stunning scenery of the British mainland. Each route suggests further routes and the book as a whole introduces the wild cyling potential of a range of different locations. These natural routes to wild places link country lanes, green lanes, bridleways, towpaths, trails and often ancient ways between places. The book is illustrated in colour and each ride includes an annotated route map and ride profile, as well as OS grid references An illustrated guide to 50 great, original rides off the beaten track in Britain, carefully chosen by Chris Sidwells