Cycling in the Cotswolds: 21 half and full-day cycle routes, and a 4-day 200km Tour of the Cotswolds

A guidebook to 21 half and full day cycle routes as well as a 4-day 200km cycle tour of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Travelling primarily on a network of quiet lanes and canal paths, the routes are centred around Stratford-upon-Avon, Shipston-on-Stour, Winchcombe, Cheltenham and more. The cycle routes range from 14 to 66 km (9-41 miles) and are arranged in order of difficulty. All the routes described are suitable for mountain or hybrid bikes with on-road alternatives provided for most routes. Clear custom-drawn 1:100,000 maps Route summary table with information on accommodation and cycle hire GPX files available to download Information on bike maintenance for beginners Notes on geology, history, and wildlife in the area

Table of Contents:
Map key Overview map Introduction Geology Wildlife, plants and flowers History Art, culture and local festivities Food and drink Getting around When to go Accommodation What to wear What to take Maps Waymarking and access Cycling efficiently How hard are the routes? Using this guide Route 1 Shipston-on-Stour Loop via Brailes Hill Route 2 Shipston-on-Stour Loop via Halford Route 3 Shipton-under-Wychwood Loop via Wychwood Route 4 Bourton-on-the-Water Loop via the Slaughters Route 5 Alderton via Broadway Route 6 Bradford-on-Avon via Bath Two Tunnels Route 7 Bourton-on-the-Water Loop via Great Barrington Route 8 Kemble via Cotswold Water Park Route 9 Kingham Loop via Bruern Abbey Route 10 Batheaston Sting Route 11 Stratford Greenway Loop via Mickleton Route 12 Cirencester Loop via Ampney Crucis Route 13 Filkins Loop via Bibury Route 14 Fairford Loop via Bibury Route 15 Frampton Cotterell Loop via Wickwar Route 16 Stonehouse Loop via Slimbridge Route 17 Stow Loop via Blockley Route 18 Burford Loop via Northleach Route 19 Stroud Loop via Chavenage House Route 20 Cheltenham Loop via Cleeve Hill Route 21 Malmesbury Loop via Tetbury Route 22 Around the Cotswolds Day 1 Stroud to Winchcombe Day 2 Winchcombe to Stow-on-the-Wold Day 3 Stow-on-the-Wold to Cirencester Day 4 Cirencester to Stroud Appendix A Route summary table Appendix B Cycle hire and cycle shops Appendix C Cycles and trains 195 Appendix D First aid for bike and rider 197 Appendix E Other useful information 201

About the Author :
Chiz Dakin's cycle touring adventures began when she realised, after a local photography trip, that she'd cycled 50 miles in a day with a reasonably heavy load. Two weeks later she set out on the LEJOG route! Since then she's done several multi-day routes but maintains that you don't need to be seriously fit or fast to fully enjoy cycling.