Getting on your bike regularly not only gets you where you want to go faster, it protects you against a wide range of ill health problems and also makes you feel better. Cycling reduces stress. Forget traffic jams and problems with parking – riding your bike provides real door to door travel. Like all exercise, cycling can de-stress you and give you more zest for life.
Cycling is particularly good because it puts little strain on joints such as ankles and knees. It not only helps to shed those extra pounds, but also helps increase muscle tone and reduces the risk of heart attacks.
It’s great for everyone
Cycling fits in with your daily life. Spend time with the family at the weekend, or go “off road” in the evening. It’s an activity you can enjoy at any level.
There’s no time like the present to start. Cycling is an activity for all seasons and in our mild climate there are few days too hot or too cold to enjoy being on a bike.
Anyone can ride a bike; once learned, never forgotten. Start off on flat roads or paths and build up slowly. For suitable routes near to your home visit some of the websites listed below or give us a call on 01256 844844 for a brochure.
Basingstoke Cycleways
www.basingstoke.gov.uk/services/transport/cycling/cycleroutes
www.hants.gov.uk/cycling/routes
Basingstoke Off Road Cycle Trail
Whitchurch Off Road Cycle Trail
Watership Down Off Road Cycle Trial
Ellisfield Off Road Cycle trail
Abbotstone Off Road Cycle Trail
If you haven’t used your bike for a while and need to boost your confidence on the road contact Hampshire Cycle Training on 07963 237619 or log on to www.hampshirecycletraining.org.uk for individual or group tuition at a small cost.
Cycling Clubs
Cycling Touring Club www.ctc.org
North Hampshire Road Club http://www.nhrc.co.uk/
Reading to Basingstoke Cycle route www.nhampshirectc.org.uk
Events
Tour of Britain - After the fantastic spectacle of the depart of the Tour De France from London recently, the Tour of Britain attracted large crowds when it passed through our Borough. The race got off to a great start during the first road stage when 96 riders rode from Reading to Southampton. For more information about the Tour of Britain please visit www.tourofbritain.co.uk
'Get Cycling Roadshow' - A Get Cycling Road Show which was supported by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and 'Company of Cyclists' was recently held at Eastrop Park. This promoted cycling as a family leisure activity and a way of increasing adult participation in physical activity in a fun way.
People were able to try out an impressive range of 25 bikes including tandems, children’s bikes, recumbents, city bikes and also some more exotic machines which added to the fun! Some lucky visitors were even fortunate to have a go on a ‘mega bike’ - a bike that requires 8 peddlers! Local cycle organisations and clubs were also present to provide information and advice.
'The Big Wheel' - St Michael's Hospice holds its annual Big Wheel charity bike ride each summer. This usually attracts approximately 1500 riders who take to the saddle and raise significant amounts of money. Riders can choose from three routes which vary in length and begin and end at Down Grange Sports Complex, Basingstoke.