Spring Into Cycling

20 March 2017

Spring is here, meaning longer days and (hopefully) better weather. So if your bike has been locked away for the winter, or if you haven’t ridden a bike for years, then now is the best time to dust off your wheels and get back into pedalling again.

Getting into cycling this spring

Beginning to cycle

Unsure where to start and need a little help to get rolling? Then visit our Cycling for Beginners pages, which offer a wealth of advice on getting into cycling, covering a range of aspects, including:

Returning to cycling after winter

Not seen your bike since you put it away after the summer still covered in last year’s mud? Now is the time to give it a new lease of life by getting it clean and ready to ride.

This straightforward video shows just how easy it is to clean your bike correctly:

Cleaning your bike

For advice on getting your bike running perfectly and checking that it is safe to ride, visit our bike maintenance page.

Where to cycle

Cycle routes

Northamptonshire is blessed with beautiful countryside and we are very fortunate to have a number of great cycling routes set within some of the best scenery that the county has to offer. Many of these routes have long off-road sections which are perfect for beginners and families to build up confidence on two wheels.

Visit our Cycle Routes page to get a flavour of the best of these routes, including the Brampton Valley Way, Stanwick Lakes and the East Northants Greenway.

Cycle way streching into distant trees

Cycle maps and journey planning

To help you get around by bike, there is a cycle map for each of the main towns in Northamptonshire. They can help you plan the best route across your town as they each show all roads graded depending on their suitability for cycling, whilst also showing off-road cycle routes.

Cycle maps
For further journey planning help, or for routes further afield, the Cycle Streets route planner can help you get to your destination by bike, giving options of choosing the quietest or fastest route, or a balance of the 2, depending on your level of cycling confidence.

Cycle Streets journey planner

Find organised rides with Let’s Ride

Let’s Ride is British Cycling's partnership with HSBC to get more people cycling. The Let’s Ride website lists dozens of free-to-join organised group rides on pre-planned routes all across Northamptonshire and further afield.

The rides vary in length and there are also Breeze rides open to women-only, so there is sure to be something for everyone. They are a great way to build your cycling confidence as you will be riding with others and discovering some great routes.

Visit the Let’s Ride website and search for rides near to you this spring.