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Product Description
Product Description
This is the fully updated second edition of the popular guidebook "Traffic-Free Cycle Trails", containing more than 400 cycle routes around Britain. Written by Nick Cotton, the book includes a great variety of routes on former railway paths, canal towpaths and forest trails. First published in 2004, "Traffic-Free Cycle Trails" has become one of the country's most popular cycling books. It has proven invaluable for finding that safe and peaceful bike ride, increasingly the target of a growing number of families. Readers of the first edition have been surprised with the discovery of local trails of which they were unaware, and those travelling with the book have been able to find quality trails in unfamiliar areas throughout the UK, without wasting time! It includes route description of rides in every region of Britain. It features an easy-to-use format and is packed with useful information in regional sections. It is helpful for parents planning safe rides with children and novice riders looking to escape traffic.
About the Author
Nick Cotton has written more than 50 cycling books and guides and is constantly on the move looking for more routes. He rides with his own family and lives in Cumbria.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
A difficult volume to review. Personal satisfaction warrants about two and a half stars. But objectively it is well worth four. Lots of folk might find aspects to cavil at. Purchased with no illusions, however, it should prove an excellent buy.
My objective rationale: after significant web-browsing and searching numerous bike shops, I've yet to discover anything better - or even as good; some concerns are not the book's fault; and it really is fantastic value for money.
Packed with concise information and a surprising number of vignette photos that capture the spirit of various rides. It is well-structured and easy to read/consult. The rides cover mainland UK as well as could be expected in a single tome. Anglesey, Arran, Mull and the IOW too, but not Northern Ireland.
Most rides are genuinely traffic-free. There are nice potted histories or locale descriptions, TIC contacts, brief route directions, and refreshment stops. Plus the occasional useful warning - busy main roads to cross, or challenging climbs (like NCN2: 550ft ascending the cliffs at Folkestone).
What could possibly disappoint?
I did wish for more details, book size notwithstanding. This was especially true for the Forestry Commission holdings; though, in fairness, many are not trails per se but general track networks open to off-road cyclists.
Maps. There aren't any. Plenty of map references, other cycling publications, and web-sites are given throughout. Some readers may prefer a stand-alone guide. Having said which, waymarked trails and linear canal towpaths should hardly be an orienteering challenge! And these account for a lot of the book.
Lastly, a personal thing. A little research could perhaps have extended several rides to something more meaty. But traffic-free seems to be the sacred cow. Fair enough, and it's hardly the author's fault if UK Powers-that-Be make such paltry provision for cyclists!
Some random examples:- Kennet & Avon Canal (9 miles each way), Ashridge Estate (5 mile circuit), Clumber Park (various routes between 5 & 10 miles), Rendlesham Forest (6 or 10 miles), Carnforth to Lancaster (11 miles each way), Whitby Railway Path (20 miles each way), Usk Reservoir (6 mile circuit). Is this a reasonable representation of what you're hoping to cycle? Would you augment it with your own research?
Ergo, in summary: a fine compact compendium; not necessarily everyone's cup-of-tea.
My objective rationale: after significant web-browsing and searching numerous bike shops, I've yet to discover anything better - or even as good; some concerns are not the book's fault; and it really is fantastic value for money.
Packed with concise information and a surprising number of vignette photos that capture the spirit of various rides. It is well-structured and easy to read/consult. The rides cover mainland UK as well as could be expected in a single tome. Anglesey, Arran, Mull and the IOW too, but not Northern Ireland.
Most rides are genuinely traffic-free. There are nice potted histories or locale descriptions, TIC contacts, brief route directions, and refreshment stops. Plus the occasional useful warning - busy main roads to cross, or challenging climbs (like NCN2: 550ft ascending the cliffs at Folkestone).
What could possibly disappoint?
I did wish for more details, book size notwithstanding. This was especially true for the Forestry Commission holdings; though, in fairness, many are not trails per se but general track networks open to off-road cyclists.
Maps. There aren't any. Plenty of map references, other cycling publications, and web-sites are given throughout. Some readers may prefer a stand-alone guide. Having said which, waymarked trails and linear canal towpaths should hardly be an orienteering challenge! And these account for a lot of the book.
Lastly, a personal thing. A little research could perhaps have extended several rides to something more meaty. But traffic-free seems to be the sacred cow. Fair enough, and it's hardly the author's fault if UK Powers-that-Be make such paltry provision for cyclists!
Some random examples:- Kennet & Avon Canal (9 miles each way), Ashridge Estate (5 mile circuit), Clumber Park (various routes between 5 & 10 miles), Rendlesham Forest (6 or 10 miles), Carnforth to Lancaster (11 miles each way), Whitby Railway Path (20 miles each way), Usk Reservoir (6 mile circuit). Is this a reasonable representation of what you're hoping to cycle? Would you augment it with your own research?
Ergo, in summary: a fine compact compendium; not necessarily everyone's cup-of-tea.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Verified Purchase
Although very comprehensive in its coverage, I suspect the majority of cyclists will find the numerous short rides a bit of a waste of time. The book is very short on maps - in fact none of any of the routes which probably means for a number of people going out and purchasing a map to cover the route!! What might have been useful would be some indication how longer routes could be devised linking up various short traffic-free routes and quiet lanes, in particular to create circular routes - much more interesting than "there and back" routes.
However as with Nick Cotton books he has done a thorough job and the book certainly covers a lot of rides for those looking for an easy quiet sunday afternoon ride.
However as with Nick Cotton books he has done a thorough job and the book certainly covers a lot of rides for those looking for an easy quiet sunday afternoon ride.
Amazon Verified Purchase
Quite a nice quality book with plenty of cycle routes included with some pictures. It's quite a heavy book so not one you would really want to be lugging around with you in a backpack all day and as the cycles routes don't have any map's included only written directions you would need to pre plan your journeys making notes unless you happen to own or the relevant OS maps that the book keeps refering to.
So if like me you travel the country and just need a general guide sometimes to point you in the right direction then this book is ok. But if your after more detailed local routes I suggest you buy a dedicated map route guide.
So if like me you travel the country and just need a general guide sometimes to point you in the right direction then this book is ok. But if your after more detailed local routes I suggest you buy a dedicated map route guide.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
CYCLE TRAILS BOOK
I SAW THIS BOOK THAT A FRIEND HAD BEEN GIVEN AND SO KNEW IT WOULD BE IDEAL FOR MY COLLECTION AS WE TOUR A LOT WITH OUR CARAVAN AND BIKES
Published 1 month ago by oliviamae
Very useful
I have not yet used it while out cycling -it's probably a bit weighty for that - but I am enjoying working through it to plan trips.
It is well thought out and informative. Read more
It is well thought out and informative. Read more
Published 3 months ago by B Evans
TRAFFIC-FREE CYCLE TRAILS
Only had the book a short time(winter) but it looks like what I was looking for. I have a campervan so I can go anywhere in the UK cycling safely now.
Published 16 months ago by R. J. Briers
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