Bristol is one of the UK’s top cycling centres, hands down.
If there’s a bike-related award out there, chances are that buzzing Bristol has won it: it received the European Green City Award in 2015, was named Britain’s first ‘cycling city’ and is home to nationally recognised bike non-profits, bike-friendly hotels and cycling-themed cafes (61 cycle-related businesses, at last count).
Even the city centre – with a robust network of bike lanes, over 300 bike parking spaces and countless free bike pumps – is great for commuting and sightseeing alike. As the hub of the UK’s national cycle routes, the riding in the countryside is stellar, whether you’re cruising to Bath and back on the popular Bristol and Bath Railway Path, riding along the River Avon to Portishead or tackling the 86-mile-long Avon Cycleway (and passing by the Pensford Viaduct and the Stanton Drew stone circles as you go).
The Bristol Green Belt 360 gravel route circumnavigates the city by cycleway, bridleway, track and road – try the northern sections for flats and the southern end for technical hills (including Dundry Hill).
MTB trails are ridiculously accessible, with Ashton Court Estate and Leigh Woods just a short ride from town – both are fast, flowing and pedally, perfect for a hardtail. For more berms, jumps and a downhill feel, Ashton Hill Plantation is your best bet. Hugely popular, the Tour de Bristol – with 40 km, 65 km and 100 km options – raises money for St Peter’s Hospice.