Stroud to Newport Cycling Route

At a whopping 89.8 miles, this Stroud cycling route can be as challenging as it is long. Begin in the serene Cotswold Hills of Stroud and move out towards Berkley, cross the Severn, and push through to the third largest city in Wales. The whole journey will come to around 6 hours and 10 minutes without a break, although we definitely recommend you take a couple.

Although this is a beautiful and rewarding ride, it can also be arduous. Compared to the length of the ride, the elevation gain of 4296ft doesn’t seem like a lot, but for such a long route it will test your resolve. There are plenty of shops in Berkley to grab drinks and snacks before crossing the Severn Bridge.

As a side note, I think all cyclists should ride across the Severn Bridge at some point. There’s nothing quite like it, the parallel between the motorway on one side and the immense natural beauty of the Severn on the other presents an interesting contrast.

After crossing the Severn, pass through the tranquil Welsh countryside, following a quiet A-road all the way to Newport City Centre. The midpoint of the route is placed just outside of the city centre, with plenty of choices for food.

After filling up, head back the way you came and take in what you missed the first time around, as there is an abundance to be experienced. It’s your choice whether or not you head back through Berkley or follow the A38 towards Stroud, although personally I’d be happy for a final break before the final push.

Stroud Cycle Circuit Cycling Route

Although this Stroud cycling route is shorter than you may want for an average ride, it boasts a mountainous challenge. Beginning in Stroud, ride down to Rodborough and Minchinhampton commons to start tackling those pesky inclines. There isn’t a lot of time to warm up before you hit the big hills, so use the time wisely to prepare yourself.

After this you’ll get a short bursts of downhills, which you’re going to want to enjoy because once you pass through Nailsworth this route really goes up a level. You face two huge climbs either side of Uley before being able to head home via Stonehouse.

This route has a lot of beauty in it, but that’ll be hard to enjoy over the screaming in your legs. The ride is suitable for any rider with a few months of experience, as long as you’re not afraid of pushing yourself and maybe just a little pain.

Stroud Airfield Loop Cycling Route

This loop is a short Stroud cycling route but a worthwhile ride. With a mix of somewhat challenging inclines and rewarding declines, this route offers a range of features in a comparatively short distance. At a compact 20.6 miles, this ride should take around 1 hour and a half with no stops. The loop offers a generous 2094ft in elevation gain, but with enough downhill sections to let the legs recuperate.

The route starts by following the A419 out of Stroud, but once you near Nailsworth, the ride fades from busier roads to the quieter lanes and B-roads all the way to the airfield. Although the airfield is difficult to spot through some of the trees and bushes, it’s definitely a spectacle to be seen once you can catch a glimpse. After coming around the east of the airfield, temporarily join the A419 again and head towards Chalford and Eastcombe, where there will be some chances to stop for a drink and snack at some of the local shops. Once you’ve refuelled head through Bisley and back towards Stroud for the last leg of the ride.

The quiet lanes of the Cotswold countryside should be enough to convince anyone to ride this loop, especially is you love hills: with some inclines averaging between 10-11%. But be careful, some of the declines go as high as 19%, and although they’re thrilling, they can be dangerous if not respected.

Lechlade into the Cotswolds Cycling Route

This ride may present a few problems, firstly it starts at the very edge of the Cotswolds, and secondly it’s surrounded by a fair few A-roads. But believe us when we say it’s worth it. The creation of Cyced Routes has been about promoting what Gloucestershire has to offer to every cyclist, no matter their preference or ability, and this ride is the embodiment of that ideology. Lechlade itself has a few treasure to explore before you head out into the Cotswolds, for instance the River Thames makes its way all the way there from London.

The Lechlade cycling route presents the same difficulty in terms of hills, but adds 20 more miles of riding to the mix. This is created for the more determined cyclist, not only because of the distance and feet climbed, but the lack of places to stop along the way. It will take a lot of stamina, energy, and will power to get the job done. But that’s never stopped us before… right?   

This route leaves no rock unturned, travailing the lanes and paths that weave through the Gloucestershire countryside. However, this means it’s difficult to write up and exact set of directions for you, but we’ll try our best.

Take Hambidge Lane out of Lechlade and follow it all the way through Quenington and Ready Token, and into the countryside. Loop through the country lanes, and tranquil forests all around you, into Woodmancote. This area is where most of the hills are concentrated for the ride, so get your legs ready, but once you’ve passed through Foss Cross and Aldsworth you’re almost home. It’s probably best you use a GPS or at least a phone to keep checking you’re heading the right way, but once you reach Southrop you’re within throwing distance.

There’s a big reward for you at the end of the ride, in the form of Horseshoe Lake, but you’ll have to take the A361 to get back to Lechlade, so be careful.

Gloucestershire Campus Tour Cycling Route

At 17.7 miles in total, this short Gloucestershire cycling route leads around three of the University of Gloucestershire’s campuses. Beginning in the Oxstalls campus, take the quieter B4063 to avoid the A40, and cycle past Gloucestershire Airport. Ride into Cheltenham, taking in the regency architecture, and head towards Park Campus. There are places to buy food and lock up bikes on each of the campuses, all three being bike friendly. Once you’re ready to leave Park, go through Cheltenham town Centre to the Francis Close Hall campus. Finally, loop back onto the B4063 and follow it back to Gloucester.

The entire ride (without stops) should take about 1 hour and 10 minutes, and as it only had around 450ft elevation gain, the ride is as smooth as it could be. It’s also a great way to get a back and forth route from Gloucester and Cheltenham.

Gloucester Steady Cycling Route

A short but rewarding ride for an intermediate rider looking for a good warm down spin out in the Gloucestershire scenery.  At 24.2 miles, this route should not present any great challenge, but a good excuse to get out on the bike.

Using the Oxstalls Campus as an easy starting place, head for a brief stint onto the A40 and then pull of onto the b4215 into Highnam. Continue north towards Collinpark Wood and then back down through Newent. By now you’ll have experienced the beautiful woods Gloucestershire is known for.

Now’s your chance to put in some effort and get back via Tibberton, but be careful as you’ll have to get back onto the A40 to get back into Gloucester.

The elevation gain isn’t too high in this Gloucester cycling route to stop you putting a full effort in, but there still enough feet there to really put you to work.