Bath has scenery, singletrack, gravel and greenways galore.
A partner city of British Cycling — and home to Sustrans’ very first traffic-free pathway — beautiful and historic Bath has a vibrant two-wheeled scene, and its narrow, bustling streets mean that commuting or sightseeing by bike is often much more convenient (and thrilling) than driving.
Sliced through by National Cycle Route 4, the city is a hub for several scenic countryside rides. The traffic-free, 13-mile Bristol to Bath Cycle Path connects town to town through rolling farmland. The 12.5-mile Two Tunnels Greenway features the longest cycling tunnel in all of the UK. And the Kennet & Avon Canal rolls along serene towpaths (and passes some great country pubs to boot).
Fancy leg-torching climbs, on pavement or gravel? Head for the steep and stunning Cotswolds. Or just stay closer to home base: the surrounding hills are criss-crossed with bridleways and rough country lanes, perfect for an honest day’s grind. The brand-new Bath Bike Park has a pump track, a family trail and 5km of singletrack (plus a few impressive jumps). And the Forest of Dean has dozens of kilometers of XC hardpack, rooty singletrack, wooden features and kid-friendly gravel.
Bath’s annual Sky Ride sees thousands of participants riding closed roads around town, and some 10,000 riders sign up for the weekend-long sportive festival Bike Bath.