Bristol is the UK's first cycling city and we wanted to find out a bit more about what makes this fabulous place so popular with locals and cyclists all over the UK. If you're from Bristol and are a keen cyclist, you might want to check out our Bristol Good Stuff page where you can get a discount off your next purchase at Wiggle!
Have a read of these fantastic recommendations compiled by Sustrans' route development manager Jamie Edwards and the staff members of the Bristol office - #goodstuff
Ashton Court
Amy: I love riding up over the suspension bridge and then round the trails at Ashton Court and Leigh Woods. There’s lots of lovely woodland to explore and whilst you’re never far from the city you really feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere. You don’t need a mountain bike but if you’ve got one it’s even more fun. There’s a great café at the Ashton Court Estate mansion too! If you’re quick you might also catch Luke Jerram’s “Withdrawn” – an art installation of abandoned fishing boats in Leigh woods!
Food stop: Roll for the Soul
Jamie: Roll for the Soul is a great spot for Bristol cyclists. Great food, friendly staff, a bike workshop and loads of bike parking. There’s even a free bike pump out the front!
Chew Valley Lake
Jamie: Chew Valley Lake is a brilliant mid-point for a longer ride. You can start in Bristol and use National Cycle Network route 410 to ride out to the lake, enjoy a cuppa and then loop back to Brizzle. It’s a hilly but rewarding ride!
Bristol to Pill
Jamie: Another great ride is from Bristol to Pill along NCN route 41. The ride is almost entirely traffic free and takes you along the edge of the River Avon, under the suspension bridge and along the beautiful Avon Gorge. There’s plenty of pubs and cafes in Pill to charge up your legs for the return ride … and then the cycle-friendly Nova Scotia pub is almost the very first thing you reach as you roll back in the city.
Bristol to Bath Railway Path
Carole: A ride up the Bristol to Bath Railway Path to Saltford for a picnic is a great after work ride in the summer. It should take you about an hour from Bristol city centre and will take you out in the countryside to a lovely riverside picnic spot. You can either ride back to Bristol which is all slightly downhill or carry on to Bath and get the train.
Frome Valley
Alistair: A ride up the Frome Valley Way to Snuff Mills is a little-known way to explore east Bristol. You’ll ride through Eastville Park then out to the Frome Valley, a hidden corner of the city. You can stop at the cafe at Snuff Mills or have a picnic by the river. You can also continue to Oldbury Court Estate where there’s a playground for the kids and another cafe!
Bristol Docks
Rupert: A ride around the docks is a lovely way to see the city. Following the signs for NCN4 into the centre and then ride past the M Shed and take in a circuit of the harbour. You’ll see the SS Great Britain, the Matthew and you can even stop in at the Underfall Yard where boats are still being built. On your way back into the centre you can stop for a drink outside the Arnolfini.
Food stop: Hart's Bakery
James: Cyclists love food and Hart’s Bakery is a hidden secret in Bristol. It’s right next to Temple Meads (ask around and someone will point you in the right direction) and their posh sausage rolls are perfect before or after a bike big ride.
Food stop: Beese's Teas
Beese’s Teas is a bit of an adventure for summer rides without being too far from the city. Ride up the Avon Cycle Way, past Crews Hole and out into Conham. Once you’ve locked up your bikes and crossed the river by ferry you’ll be treated to great food and drink in a lovely garden! Carole, Sustrans, Bristol
Roll with us at Bristol Temple Meads Station
We're the UK's No.1 online cycling retailer, run by cycle enthusiasts & really glad to have you on board... well, in the saddle! Our mission is to inspire everybody, every day, everywhere to get out and experience the joy of sport. Which is why we wanted to sponsor Bristol Temple Meads bike station to keep you rolling.
All images courtesy of Jon Bewley, Sustrans, Bristol Water, Roll for the soul, Beese's Teas, Hart's Bakery, Bristol council
