3 minute read
Top tips to carry on cycling as lockdown eases
During lockdown many of us ditched the car, dug out our old bikes and jumped back in the saddle to explore the towns, villages and countryside under our noses. Here’s a few ideas to help you keep up the new cycling habits you may have developed:
It only takes 30 days to create a habit so scheduling a bike ride before or after work will become part of your routine in no time! Just cycling 30 minutes every day will help to maintain your fitness.
Meet up with friends and cycle together
Now we can can meet up in small groups, why not meet up with friends for a (socially distanced) cycle ride at the weekend? Having a cycle buddy will also help motivate you to keep cycling.
Try cycling to work
Not only will it keep you active, it will help boost your mood ready for a day at work.
Cycling to work will also help reduce your carbon footprint, remove the cost of petrol and parking and cut down on wasting time in traffic.
Our favourite cycle routes in North Herts
The Greenway, Letchworth
A 13.6 mile (21.8km) circular trail route circumnavigating Letchworth. Short enough to allow cyclists and capable walkers/runners alike to navigate it without too much effort required. Points of interest include Manor Wood, with its pretty picnic area, plus a statue of artist, Telford Morton carved out of an actual tree; Norton Pond - spot dragonflies, frogs and toads as well as visiting bird species; Radwell Meadows – you’ll find a picnic area, with a play area for the kids. Try to find all the Wind in the Willows characters made out of wicker! The route also takes you to Standalone Farm, with animals, play areas, a cafe and a gift shop. Explore Wymondley Woods and Willian Arboretum where you can discover over 30 different tree varieties.
Baldock Circular Ride
A 16-mile ride through Weston, Clothall and Wallington, away from the hustle and bustle of busier main roads. The route comprises of well surfaced roads, hedgerow lined lanes and cycle ways up gentle slopes and through arable fields punctuated with idyllic rural hamlets. In the spring and summer, the roadside verges are full of flowers, herbs and butterflies. We recommend cycling the route in an anticlockwise direction. The routes are waymarked and numbered, designed so that most turns are to the left, making your ride safer. There are a number of hills on the route, most are gradual climbs.
Hitchin to the Chilterns
Cycle rides from Hitchin to the Chilterns vary between 6 – 23 miles and last from 30 minutes to 4 hours, passing through the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and stunning Hertfordshire countryside including Pirton, Offley, Whitwell and St Paul’s Walden.
Town Centre cycling
Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) has been awarded £1.25 million from the Government to promote walking and cycling in Hertfordshire to lift high streets from lockdown.
As part of the Department for Transport’s social distancing measures, NHDC has submitted a number of cycleway proposals to HCC for Hitchin, Letchworth, Baldock and Royston. At the time of writing, NHDC was awaiting details as to which schemes have been shortlisted and will be funded, with installation to be completed by spring 2021. Keep an eye out on our website for details.
We are also in the process of producing a draft LCWIP (Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan) for the district in partnership with HCC. When completed this will outline the cycling and walking routes for prioritisation as and when funding becomes available.
Where can I park my bike?
If you’re out and about on your bike, one thing to consider is where you can leave your bike securely. Visit the cycling page on our website to discover where cycle racks are located across North Herts.
If you haven’t jumped on your bike yet, we hope this article has given you some motivation to give it a try!
