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Top Family Bike Trails
Article from: My Family UK
Cycling is fantastic for getting all the family outdoors and active together. Days out and about can feel a more adventurous on a bike – aside from your local area, loads of holidays can be built around biking, which gives the whole family a sense of indepencence and fun.
Cycling
Cycling around the country is a brilliant way to get some exercise, and it also teaches your kids a brilliant skill for life. You can encourage this by taking them on biking holidays, mixing comfort with adventure, and rest with exercise.
The following are some of the best bike trails in the UK.
1) Pitsford Water Reserve, Northamptonshire
www.anglianwaterleisure.co.uk
www.britainonshow.co.uk
The nine kilometers of waterside track that has been lain down at Pitsford has been done so with families in mind: the gradient is kept as low as possible, making it perfect for riders of all ages to enjoy biking the route. Bike hire is available from Brixworth Country Park. Afterwards you can stroll around the nature reserve and spot wild birds from one of the eight hides. There is a wealth of scenery on show, all within a safe environment.
2) Cannock Chase, Staffordshire
www.chasetrails.co.uk
Whether you want a technical cross-country blast, a downhill challenge or just some plain-sailing pedaling you’ll find something all the clan can enjoy in this Area of National Beauty. Three different trails offer excellent routes free of charge and suitable for every interest, from nature lover to daredevil. Best of all, Swinnertons Forest Centre (next door to the visitors’ centre) has bike and helmet hire so you don’t need to lug your gear in the car.
3) Seafront Cycle Ride, Portsmouth
Pick up trail leaflets from Portsmouth’s Visitor Information Centres
This 4.5-mile ride is a great day out, taking in loads of sights along the way. Beginning at Portsmouth’s Historic Dockyard, you pedal alongside and Southsea Common, perfect for picnics, flying kites or just enjoying the fresh air and taking in the views of the Solent. Further on is the Blue Reef Aquarium where you can see all sorts of fantastic sea creatures, Southsea Castle and the Royal Marines Museum. And after that lot you’ll deserve an ice-cream.
4) Clumber Park, Nottinghamshire
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
www.sustrans.org.uk
This beautiful family-focused National Trust park has 3,800 acres of woods, open-heath and rolling farmland and the longest double avenue of lime trees in Europe. The 20 miles of red shale cycle paths criss-cross it all. There’s a bike-hire too with all sorts of oddities, from tandems to tricycles. For some more fun, route six of the National Cycle Network links Clumber with legendary Sherwood Forest.
5) Loch Ard, Aberfoyle, Scotland
cycling.visitscotland.com
www.forestry.gov.uk
Starting out at the village of Aberfoyle, the easiest loop (7 miles) takes you down to the loch, one of the most picturesque in the whole of Scotland. Rivers tumble down the hillsides, Ben Lomand mountain looms in the distance and elves, fauns and fairies are said to live amid the bristly trees that are reflected by the mirror-still water. Longer trails into Loch Ard Forest are well signposted and have interesting sculptures along the way.
Further Information
For further information, and for more great ways to have fun with your family, log on to www.myfamilyuk.com. With a huge collection of articles covering everything from child safety to rainy day activities, you’ll find all the help, guidance and entertainment you need to be a great parent. Go now!
About the Author
My Family UK is a brand new website that is turning the online focus back onto families. We’re dedicated to supporting you and your family live the life you choose to the full, with games, tips, offers and articles on all aspects of parenting. If your family means the world to you, check out www.myfamilyuk.com.
FASTWURMS – ISI Scotland