Eleanor J

👍😍

This is a road ride heading South from Bristol to one of the most beautiful riverside picnic spots. One for the hill lovers it crosses the Mendips twice and passes through Wells on both the way out and return leg. As England's smallest city there is no shortage of small shops and delis or maybe you'll plan your ride for market day (the homemade pies are great cycling fuel!). Leaving Wells along the traffic-free Strawberry line onto the Somerset Levels you'll have fantastic views towards Glastonbury Tor. This part of the world is so beautiful with quiet country lanes just weaving across the countryside. The picnic spot I have in mind is in West Lydford where there is a perfect picnic bank opposite the church. Between the bridge and the weir there are plenty of patches where you can set up for a few hours. With around 100m of the river to swim in and a quiet bank to sit and listen to the wind in the weeping willlow trees it doesn't get much more idyllic than this. Don't get too relaxed because you still need to cross the Mendips to get home! This route goes back up over Ebbor Gorg, past Chew Valley Lake and under Pensford Viaduct.

A double picnic ride! This mixed terrain route takes in cycleways, bridleways along the Monarch's way and unpaved paths through Ozleworth and Westonbirt Arboretum. You leave Bristol along traffic-free bike paths. Passing through the small market town of Chipping Sodbury you'll find a few bakeries, markets and independent shops if you want to pick up something special to eat later on. There are many prime picnic spots along this route depending on your progress and time of day. Next we head out (and up!) towards the Cotswolds an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. There are some lovely spots in Ozleworth Park where there is a small lake and beautiful grounds. Or later on you past the National Arboretum at Westonbirt, this might be where you decide to stop for second lunch! The route heads home along a graveled section of the historic Fosse Way. There is a nice little shop in Sherston if you need supplies to get you home! Aside from Chipping Sodbury and Sherston there aren't many resupply points so make sure you take adequate supplies.

Blimey ... you’re certainly getting the miles in ... well done you 👍