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 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.
Further advice
You can also follow us on
Twitter and
Facebook for more tips and news of rides and events right through the year.