Contents
Introduction
Geology
Wildlife, plants and flowers
History
Art, culture and local festivities
Food and drink
Getting around
When to go
Accommodation
What to wear
What to take
Maps
Waymarking and access
Cycling efficiently
How hard are the routes?
Using this guide
Route 1 Shipston-on-Stour Loop via Brailes Hill
Route 2 Shipston-on-Stour Loop via Halford
Route 3 Shipton-under-Wychwood Loop via Wychwood
Route 4 Bourton-on-the-Water Loop via the Slaughters
Route 5 Alderton via Broadway
Route 6 Bradford-on-Avon via Bath Two Tunnels
Route 7 Bourton-on-the-Water Loop via Great Barrington
Route 8 Kemble via Cotswold Water Park
Route 9 Kingham Loop via Bruern Abbey
Route 10 Batheaston Sting
Route 11 Stratford Greenway Loop via Mickleton
Route 12 Cirencester Loop via Ampney Crucis
Route 13 Filkins Loop via Bibury
Route 14 Fairford Loop via Bibury
Route 15 Frampton Cotterell Loop via Wickwar
Route 16 Stonehouse Loop via Slimbridge
Route 17 Stow Loop via Blockley
Route 18 Burford Loop via Northleach
Route 19 Stroud Loop via Chavenage House
Route 20 Cheltenham Loop via Cleeve Hill
Route 21 Malmesbury Loop via Tetbury
Route 22 Around the Cotswolds
Day 1 Stroud to Winchcombe
Day 2 Winchcombe to Stow-on-the-Wold
Day 3 Stow-on-the-Wold to Cirencester
Day 4 Cirencester to Stroud
Appendix A Route summary table
Appendix B Cycle hire and cycle shops
Appendix C Cycles and trains
Appendix D First aid for bike and rider
Appendix E Other useful information
The size of this book constrains the scale of mapping that can be used within it; as such, it is advisable to take with you some form of larger-scale mapping, such as Ordnance Survey (OS) 1:50K Landranger or 1:25K Explorer sheets. (Downloaded electronic versions are good, but beware of relying on online-only versions such as Open Street Map or Google Maps, as these require a strong mobile signal, lots of battery power, a clear view of the sky and phone-based satellite GPS.)
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Explorer: sheet 45 covers much of the northern Cotswolds; elsewhere you will need sheets 155, 156, 167, 168, 179, 180, 191 or 205
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Landranger: sheets 151, 163, 164, 172 or 173
Relevant local sheets seem to be becoming less commonly available in local village stores and petrol stations, and are perhaps best bought in advance of a visit.
The day routes are intended to cover a half-day of cycling, so there is plenty of time to relax, explore and enjoy the scenery. Truth is, as the author points out, there are so many variables in the routes and beyond these no account can be taken of the attitude of the cyclist, be they ambler or speedster or somewhere between the two.
This is definitely one for the cyclist who likes to take some time to seek out the quiet ways. In the usual Cicerone style it will fit in the jersey pocket and take you through one of England’s most beautiful landscapes.
Read the full review here: Cycling in the Cotswolds
Seven Day Cyclist, November 2014