HedgehogCycling.co.uk

Tour de France 2018

The road to Alpe d'Huez, by Maurice Koop, Licence CC BY-ND 2.0

The Tour de France returns to Alpe d'Huez in 2018. Before that, there's a Grand Départ in the Vendée, an uphill finish at Mûr de Bretagne, and a rattle over the cobbles to Roubaix; after it come the Pyrenees, and a 31-km individual time trial on Stage 20, then the traditional Paris finish.

Read a stage by stage guide to the Tour de France 2018.

Cycling UK poll

5th June 2018

A poll of 2,000 British adults for Cycling UK reveals the top reasons why more people don't cycle. They include sharing the road with large vehicles and close passes. What would encourage more people to ride bikes? Find out about the Cycling UK poll.

CWIS consultation

17th March 2018

Jesse Norman, minister for cycling at the DfT, is asking for ideas to make cycling and walking safer. Probably the DfT should know how to do this already - after all, organisations like British Cycling and Cycling UK have been telling them for years, but unfortunately they haven't been listening. Will the DfT actually act on what they're told? Who knows, but if you have any interest in active travel, you should respond.

Read about the CWIS consultation, and follow the link to the consultation.

Punctures in the wet

7th June 2018

Anna van der Breggen, by youkeys, Licence CC BY 2.0

I set out for a long ride after overnight rain. The first soft, sinking feeling came only 6 miles in, and I got another puncture before the roads started to dry. This got me thinking, why are punctures more likely in wet conditions, and how can you prevent them?

Read about punctures in the wet.

Froome Salbutamol case

25th May 2018

Chris Froome, by denismenchov08, Licence CC BY-SA 2.0

There's been an awful lot of comment on Chris Froome's Salbutamol case, almost certainly too much. Cycling journalists ask hard questions of Froome, but give the UCI a free ride about the leak of the confidential process. For below the line commenters, everything is evidence of cheating - good and bad performances alike.

Read about the Froome Salbutamol case.

Inspiration from Dutch cycle infrastructure

Bike lanes in the Netherlands are designed with thought and intelligence to create a joined-up, easily  usable network. I took a few photos of cycle infrastructure in Zandvoort, and I've added some comments about the intention of the planners. In the UK, we should pay particular attention to the way they give bike routes continuity, instead of making them give way to every side street.

Read about inspiration from Dutch cycle infrastructure.

Why the Harrogate relief road is a terrible idea

12th June 2018

A so-called relief road is being promoted by an Executive on North Yorkshire County Council, in spite of a democratic vote against it. It is supposed to be a response to Harrogate's congestion problems, but there's a fatal flaw in the reasoning of the would-be road-builders. Read about why the Harrogate relief road is a terrible idea.

New Hedgehog Guide: Côte de Lofthouse road cycling route

This circular road cycling route starts in Harrogate, and heads up to Pateley Bridge then Lofthouse. It climbs the Côte de Lofthouse, which featured on the 2017 Tour de Yorkshire, then returns via Grewelthorpe, Kirkby Malzeard, Galphay, Studley Royal and Ripley to Harrogate. It's on quiet, country roads, features beautiful scenery, and there's the challenge of a steep ascent.

Read about this Côte de Lofthouse road cycling route.

Grassington Yorkshire Dales road cycling route

This circular road cycling route starts in Grassington, and heads north up Wharfedale then Littondale to Halton Gill. It climbs to Malham Tarn, then returns via Malham, Kirkby Malham, Airton, Hetton, and Cracoe to Malham. The roads are quiet, and the ride takes in lanes lined with dry stone walls, open fells, and villages of limestone-built houses, as well as views of Malham Cove.

Read about this Yorkshire Dales road cycling route.

Nidderdale Greenway

The best and most popular cycleway in Harrogate, the Nidderdale Greenway goes about 4 miles to Ripley, using the trackbed of a disused railway. It opened in May 2013.

Fewston, Beecroft, & Timble bike trail

Our guide to the bike trail on Yorkshire Water's land at Fewston reservoir, through the Beecroft Plantation and Timble woods. Read about the Fewston, Beecroft, & Timble woods bike trail.

Scarborough to Whitby Cinder Track

A new Hedgehog Guide to the Cinder Track cycle route, along the old railway from Scarborough to Whitby, with full-colour (!) photos, including lots of Yorkshire sunshine. This 21.5 mile route has beautiful views, and there's wonderful wildlife along the way, for example house martins and swallows at Ravenscar. Read about the Scarborough to Whitby Cinder Track.

York to Beningbrough cycle route

There's a great cycle route from the centre of York to Beningbrough, partly on tarmacked path by the river Ouse, and partly on quiet roads. It ends up at Beningbrough Hall, an C18th National Trust property (where cyclists are entitled to a free cup of tea). Read HedgehogCycling's guide to the York to Beningbrough cycle route.

York to Selby cycle route

HedgehogCycling's guide to the York to Selby cycle route, including 'cycle the solar system'. This is a quality route, mainly on a tarmacked path on an old railway track bed, and is perfect for family cycling. Read our guide (with video and photos) to the York to Selby cycle route.