Explore Bedfordshire by bike this Bike Week

This year Bike Week is taking place between 8^th and 16^th June, so when better to get out in the glorious British summer time and explore Bedfordshire?
The whole point of Bike Week is to get as many people across the UK to give cycling a try, all while highlighting and celebrating how great biking can be.

Because it is summer and also Bike Week, we thought we’d put together some of our favourite cycle routes in the county for you to enjoy.

If you want a circular route, you’re in luck, there are loads in Bedfordshire for you to choose from and they’re all different lengths so you can pick one that best suits you.

The longest circular route in Bedfordshire is the Ampthill to Bedford route, measuring 46KM, you’ll journey from Ampthill town centre through Greensand Ridge and into Bedford where you can stop off for some refreshments.

For a quieter route, check out either the Thatcher’s Way which will take you around quiet roads and cycle paths towards the east of the county or the Shannon Trail which will go through Potton, Gamlingay, Steeple, Morden and Wrestlingworth.

For cycling routes with amazing views, try either the Woburn Wander, which takes you around the delightful village of Woburn, or the Old Warden route. This is a popular route that takes you along part of the Greensand Ridge on your journey from Old Warden to Cardington. Along the way you’ll get to see sights like the Swiss Garden.

For an on road route, look at the Jubilee Cycle Ride which has been developed among the rolling hills of Greensand Ridge and will take you through the villages of Shefford, Meppershall, Gravenhurst, Shillington and Barton, offering you lots of chances to stop and rest with some local refreshments.

You could also do the Greensand Cycle Ride, this route is 59km in length, but has several points where you can join, so you can attempt it over several days, or if you’re experienced and up for a challenge, you can do the whole lot in one day. The route runs between Leighton Buzzard and Sandy, so you’ll get to see lots of the county’s highlights along the way.

If you want to use Bike Week to introduce your children to cycling, you’ll need a gentler route. Head to the Forest Centre and Millennium Country Park at Marston Moretain, which has 8km of surfaced paths perfect for family cycling and if you don’t have your own bikes, you can hire them here.
There are also a number of routes on the National Cycle Network that are suitable for families, including Route 6 which goes through Central Bedfordshire from Harpeden to Leigton Buzzard via Luton and Dunstable. While some of it is on road, there are a number of quieter, traffic free sections.
Route 51 is also a good choice for family rides, it runs off road from Sandy through to Bedford and then there are quieter roads at the end of the route as it takes you into Milton Keynes.

Don’t worry though, any outing on a bike counts whether you’re just nipping around town, doing the school run or doing out for fun. Why not take in some of these cycle routes while you’re in the county and see some more of the beautiful countryside?

Are you taking part in this year’s Bike Week? Do you have any other suggestions for cycle rides around Bedfordshire? You can get in touch with your recommendations on Facebook and Twitter.