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Home , National Trails, North Downs Way, Pennine Bridleway, South Downs Way, Trail blazing

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Feature BLAZING CYCLING UK IS WORKING WITH NATIONAL OFFICERS AND LANDOWNERS TO CREATE A FULLY RIDEABLE . SAM JONES LED THE INAUGURAL RIDE

reathing raggedly, inaugural ride of Cycling UK’s North Downs footpaths – effectively dead ends, unless you sweat in my eyes, I Way ‘Riders’ Route’. It’s the last weekend of want to dismount and push. hurriedly snap a shot September and the 40th anniversary of the ‘I get lots and lots of calls from cyclists – of my companions as North Downs Way’s official creation. some from as far away as Australia – asking B they roll past in a blur about a legal route on the North Downs Way,’ of colour and laughter. CYCLISTS DISMOUNT says Pete. ‘Until recently, I had to point out Then, camera stuffed back in its case, You might wonder what all the fuss is about it wasn’t a straightforward exercise, requiring I jump on the bike and give chase. My a Riders’ Route when you can already the stitching together of several routes, then plan to lead a long ride along the North ride along the North Downs Way. That’s a filling in the blanks between them. That’s not Downs and be the photographer is common mistake according to the North satisfactory for anyone, least of all me. Now I proving harder than I thought. My fellow Downs Way’s Trail Officer, Pete Morris: ‘For can point them towards the pilot route tested riders – journalists from Singletrack, many people, the North Downs Way and by Cycling UK, which we’re currently looking Cycling Weekly, MBUK, and the Guardian, the Way are interchangeable. into adopting as an alternative, rideable as well as Cycling UK’s own MTB star and Yet from a cycling perspective they’re North Downs Way route.’ head of volunteering, Alex Cuppleditch – very different.’ Despite the deviations that our Riders’ are all super fit. The biggest difference between the two Route makes from the route, it’s still Fortunately, they’re not too far head. I trails is that while you can cycle on both, the North Downs Way. After all, it’s called a eventually catch and pass them, looking for it’s only the that has a ‘way’, not a ‘road’ or ‘path’, and the lines the another opportune spot for photography. route that allows you to legally ride the whole take today are fairly arbitrary. We’re 20 miles in, still in the Hills, length. On the North Downs Way, there are Since 1949, when they were introduced and I’m already running on fumes. But it’s stretches of bridleway you’re allowed to into the public consciousness, lines have important to document this ride: we’re on the ride along, but these frequently link up with been inscribed on maps to represent one

36 CYCLE DECEMBER 2018/JANUARY 2019 NORTH DOWNS | FEATURE

CYCLINGUK.ORG CYCLE 37 made easy by the trends of the landscape.’ the of trends the by easy made communication of a line following mark, outer to mark outer from amile sometimes tracks, parallel of ‘a skein rather but path a single never probably was , to Norfolk from runs Way, which Icknield the trails, oldest ’s of one how Ways’, describes Old ‘The book his in MacFarlane, Robert we’re their evolution. preventing line, one to them limiting by ways, some In season. to season from even –and time they would over have considerably changed that natural It’s only years. of thousands, not if hundreds, for used been have would trails these But trail. aset for route definitive ends for cyclists” for ends deadeffectively – footpaths with frequently up link bridlewayof “Stretches FEATURE North Downs Way Downs North the tackle can bike capable off-road Any (MBUK) Darkins & Max Dobson (Singletrack) Journalists Hannah That’s very much the spirit of the Riders’ Riders’ the of spirit the much very That’s walker long-distance and writer Nature | NORTH DOWNS |NORTH in . The official North Downs Way route route Way Downs North official The Kent. in says. he difficult,’ this make can legislation way of rights horseriders, and cyclists for routes safer create to want we ‘Where possible. this make to struggles sometimes but Way’s users Downs North the all for routes safe see to keen is who Morris, Pete on lost not That’s PATH THE FINDING are.’ many that but use, cycle for suitable are footpaths all not that time some for saying been has UK ‘Cycling Kieran. route,’ says alternative an is term medium short-to- the in for hope can we best the means abridleway] to afootpath of status the [i.e. changing way of rights upgrading topography. than rather legislation way of rights English to due constraints legal through largely comes shaping the case, this In through. goes it landscape the by shaped is that route alternative an together put has Kieran Society, Horse British the and Morris Pete with Working Foster. Kieran advisor policy UK’s off-road Cycling by developed Route, This is most noticeable around Sevenoaks Sevenoaks around noticeable most is This of aspects legal and political ‘The B-line – runs for 220km between Farnham between 220km for –runs B-line Route Riders’ –our Way Downs North the a resolution. for there’s hope where areas the of one is that – although amile half about for A251 the of stretch afast join to have you a bike, On it’s afootpath. currently but vision, of lines clear has and space, of plenty with It’s wide, Kent. in Estate Eastwell through goes that Way Downs North the on Way Way.’ Downs North the call now we what of much access can’t bikes, therefore and horses, that irony some there’s but on, driven now are used have would they routes the of many ‘Obviously Kieran. says horseback,’ on travelled have would pilgrims many that historically it’s understood and route, pilgrim a popular Trottiscliffe. at trail the rejoining before east then and south heads it guise, current Trail. its In National the from diverges route our alternative, only the roads busy and with, up link to bridleways suitable no With stretches. large for foothpath, –as from east continues Cycling UK’s existing rideable version of of version rideable UK’s existing Cycling Pilgrims’ the of stretch There’s another was to Way Downs North ‘The CYCLINGUK.ORG CYCLE 39

Clockwise from top left: Peter Cornish; Sam Jones (×2); Adrian Wills. Previous pages: Adrian Wills frame builder Caren Hartley for Michelle Michelle for Hartley Caren builder frame and member UK Cycling by provided bikes Season All ISEN The king. was bike gravel the lanes, quiet of stretches and tracks steep, root-filled slopes. the down hesitantly way their pick to having behind, left were bikes drop-bar on Those bikes. mountain their on element their in were (MBUK) Darkins Max and (Singletrack) abound, journalists descents Hannah Dobson technical and climbs big and crest, wooded the along veins like run trails the where Hills, Surrey the In halves. two of aroute is Way Downs North the perspective, arider’s From WAY? DOWNS NORTH THE FOR WHAT BIKE sections. road busiest the of most include kilometres 13 those but reduction abig seem not might That 40km. to cut distance on-road the with A-line, Route Riders’ our us give would That horseriders. and cyclists to access up open to Way Downs North the and landowners with we’re working where areas several are There further. that reduce to want we road, on is route that of 53km only While . and In Kent, by contrast, with dusty undulating undulating dusty with contrast, by Kent, In

the best overall choice for the ride! the for choice overall best the be ‘might’ tyres 29+ running ECR Surly my that suggestion Hannah’s expert I’ll accept best. is bike which on discussion for scope endless an you’ll have and bikes different of acollection with agroup in it Do cyclists. off-road all for something with a cracker, it’s say Ican everyone, from reaction the by Friday’s manic leapfrogging. after legs tired my save helped he because least –not preparation in also but day the on just not spent he time the for enough him thank Icannot and role, essential an was his volunteers, our all Like manage. to able be never Iwill that composition picture the to touch aprofessional gave and Saturday the on services his lent who photographers, volunteer our of Peter, one Cornish. Peter member UK Cycling local to trip… this on punctured that bikes gravel the only was it though, Interestingly, Mallinder. Matt Director Tuohy and Paul CEO UK Cycling by used bikes gravel the did as along, flew fairly contributor) Blog Bike Laker (freelancer and frequent Guardian Laura and Weekly) (Cycling Arthurs-Brennan As the Riders’ Route stands, and judging judging and stands, Route Riders’ the As go must point this at mention Honourable

Left: Sam Jones DOWNS NORTH

Photo: Nigel Pugh offroadlejog cyclinguk.org/ See o’ Groats. John to End Land’s off-road an trail: new entirely an for plans grander have also and Ridgeway, the on route similar Way. Downs North with we’ve done like routes, riders’ with accessible trails national our make to working also is UK org/beyond-greenbelt ( vision Belt Green Hills. Surrey the way, of in like rights existing using loops and routes linked new create to landowners with working is UK Cycling change, future. the in change positive for there’s hope means This way. of rights up opening and maintaining for compensated be could landowners so and good, apublic is access public that case the making is Bill Agriculture the UK Cycling to thanks but done, be to network. the of 80% are prohibited from almost horseriding and way.of Cycling rights our to access increased for argued have England) in latter (the campaigns Land my on Get and for Trails Our Wales. and England in are change legislative through access cycle improve to opportunities big The REQUIRED ACCESS We’ve plans afoot for a for afoot We’ve plans the Beyond our of part As legislative have we Until work of abody still There's CYCLINGUK.ORG . | cyclinguk. FEATURE ), Cycling ), Cycling CYCLE 41 FEATURE | NORTH DOWNS

“It’s a long, slow process to increase access – not just in Kent and Surrey but across England and Wales”

Access issues intrude onto most off-road rides that use rights of way. Any regular off- road rider will be able to describe bridleways that are a shoulder’s width wide and footpaths a peloton could roll along. There’s no rhyme or reason for these decisions – it’s just because this is the way it has always been. Cycling UK aims to change this and help ensure that cyclists in England and Wales can enjoy more than just 20% of our current rights of way. That’s why we invited these four journalists to experience the route we created, partly to spotlight the issues but also to demonstrate that Cycling UK is out there, working with landowners and other stakeholders like the National Trails and the British Horse Society to make things better. One convert to our cause appeared to be Laura Laker: ‘Challenges like these need No longer on photo duty: Sam (L) climbing

solving up and down the country. It’s hard Right: Peter Cornish up from Burham in Kent not to believe in the cause, as it’s certainly one fit to capture the imagination.’ LONG DISTANCE TRAILS

GOING FURTHER There are 16 National Trails in England National Park to Ben Nevis. It’s a long and slow process to increase and Wales, 29 Great Trails in Scotland, scotlandsgreattrails.com/trail/west- access – not just in Kent and Surrey but and the in Northern Ireland. highland-way/ across England and Wales. Our North Downs While you can cycle on all of these, Way Riders’ Route is just the first step in you’re only allowed to cycle segments South Downs Way: 100 miles Cycling UK’s grander vision to see a new and not the whole thing – unless you’re to . The first National Trail that would allow you to cycle in Scotland or on the South Downs long distance rideable National Trail off-road from Land’s End to John o’ Groats. Way or in England. that also features water stops and We want to link the North and South Downs The following five routes are a sample workstands en route. When wet, its Ways to and make it possible of what’s available. mud on the western half is infamous! to ride from Dover to the northernmost tip of nationaltrail.co.uk/south-downs-way Scotland, barely touching the road. : 78 miles We’re confident there’s an appetite for it. Fort William to Inverness. Varying Pennine Bridleway: 205 miles As Kieran Foster notes: ‘Our Rides of Way terrain such as canal towpath, forest Middleton Top to near . report (a survey of 10,000 cyclists published track, old drove roads, former military Designed specifically to allow cyclists in 2017) and our discussions with the roads, purpose-built path and urban and horse riders, this is a challenging National Trails Team both show that there is pavement, it’s an initially undemanding trail that will take you from the clear demand for more cycleable routes.’ route that then gets bumpy from Fort Peak District to the The North Downs Way’s Pete Morris is on August (if starting in Fort William). National Park. board: ‘It’s exciting to be a part of this bigger scotlandsgreattrails.com/trail/great- nationaltrail.co.uk/pennine-bridleway nationwide project, helping to develop best glen-way/ practice that will allow many more people to North Downs Way: 150 miles get the best out of the national trails.’ : 96 miles Farnham to Dover via Canterbury. Not As someone working at the heart of it all Milngavie to Fort William. Scotland’s an official trail yet, but Cycling UK’s at Cycling UK, I couldn’t agree more. first and most popular long-distance Riders' Route is a tale of two halves, route, it’s well waymarked and you’ll with Surrey perfect MTB territory and GPX files of the current Riders’ Route, experience great views throughout, Kent great fun on a gravel bike. broken into four stages, can be downloaded from Loch Lomond & The Trossachs cyclinguk.org/northdownsway from cyclinguk.org/northdownsway

42 CYCLE DECEMBER 2018/JANUARY 2019