92 | Cycling World
The Cotswolds is a Cycling Sensation
www.cotswolds.com/cycling
See the Tour of Britain in The Cotswolds Enjoy The Cotswolds by bike at any time
This September, The Cotswolds will be alive with colour as
the Tour of Britain races past honey coloured stone towns
and stunning countryside as it completes stage seven from
Hemel Hempstead to Cheltenham. The Cotswolds is perfect for cyclists as there are
bridleways and quiet country lanes galore. As we are
known for our rolling hills, you’ll struggle to avoid a few
uphill stretches but at least most are relatively short and
gentle. Your efforts will have earned you a freewheel
downhill afterwards and a guilt free drink and meal in one
of the wonderful Cotswold inns which are so thoughtfully
scattered along your route!
The race takes in the wonderful Cotswold market towns
of Charlbury, Bourton-on-the-Water, Stow-on-the-Wold,
Moreton-in-Marsh and Winchcombe before tackling the
SKODA King of the Mountains climb on Cleeve Hill. Each of
these beautiful towns have a special character and feel but
every one of them is worth a visit.
After racing through the market towns of the Cotswolds
the race finishes in egency Cheltenham on the iconic
romenade. t s not difficult to imagine the excited crowds
lining the streets and as it s the first time that Cheltenham
will have hosted the O O nergy Tour of Britain, they
are bound to be out in full force. Please join us in the
Cotswolds to cheer the Tour of Britain riders along.
Many local events around the whole route are planned
including a sportive from Cirencester the day after the race
(10th September), many cycling festivities in Winchcombe
as well as a vintage bike ride from Stow to Bourton on the
Water.
Check out www.cotswolds.com/tourofbritain
for the latest events taking place.
If you want company on your cycling break then within the
Cotswolds there are several companies offering guided or
self-guided cycling tours and holidays. f you travel with
someone who doesn’t love cycling as much as you do then
there’s even one with electric bikes!
You can also just pick up a bike in the local town you
are staying in to explore the town and countryside. With
Bainton Bikes, you can collect a bike from many Cotswold
towns and drop it at another. If you prefer to do your own
thing there are a number of downloadable cycle rides on
www.cotswolds.com/cycling or just buy a map and plan
your own route.
Visit www.cotswolds.com for a wide choice of
accommodation and places to visit.