CYCLE ROUTES in DORSET
Various Trailways in Dorset
River Stour & Cranborne Chase 50 miles (download map)
Cranborne & Verwood 25 miles (download map)
Wimborne to New Forest 50 miles (download map)
Wimborne to The Purbecks 70 miles (download map)
Milton Abbas & Bulbarrow 50 miles (download map)
Frome and Piddle Valleys - choice of routes (download map)
Weymouth, Abbotsbury and Portland - choice of routes (download map)
Wimborne - a web site with a circular route to the north and west of the town
Wimborne Minster - getting around the town by bike avoiding main road traffic (download map)
Sturminster Marshall (web site with several circular routes)
Christchurch Three routes: Coast Path; Shopping route from Somerford; Round the harbour circuit.
MOUNTAIN BIKE GUIDE to highways and bridleways of Dorset by Steve Wrann
Price £4.95
Published by Power Publications, 1 Clayford Avenue, Ferndown, Dorset Bh22 9PQ Tel 01202 875223
ISBN 1-898073-02-3
31 routes are described in an "easy-to-follow" format all linked to a detailed sketch map. Places of interest and pubs are listed and there is a grading system to help riders choose routes to suit them.
OS Landranger Guidebook "Dorset" ISBN 0-319-00116-4
This is mainly for walking and car tours, but contains a useful guide to places of interest
POOLE HERITAGE CYCLE ROUTE
Circular Route of 7½ miles. Cycle all or part of the route and discover more about Poole's Heritage
See this route on the Poole Agenda 21 website
Information about it is also obtainable from Sally Funnell (Borough of Poole Transportation Dept)
tel 01202 262066
WEST DORSET CYCLEWAY
Price FREE
Leaflet published by West Dorset District Council
Mountfield, 58/60 High West Street, Dorchester
The main route is 175km but it can be joined at any point.
The distance between points on the route are given in kilometres and there are links enabling shorter circular tours.
Places of interest are shown. There is advice about booking accommodation
WEST DORSET PEDAL
Set of 5 FREE maps
5 circular routes between 11 and 17 miles based on Bridport (2 routes), Abbotsbury, Whitchurch Canonicorum and Dorchester taking you through beautiful landscapes and to shops and markets where you can sample Dorset produce.
This being West Dorset, there are inevitably some steep hills, but go at your own pace, take your time and enjoy the views!
Obtainable from TICs in Dorchester (01305 267992), Bridport (01308 424901) and Lyme Regis (01297 442138)
Download from Dorset AONB
EXPLORE NORTH DORSET BY BIKE
Price FREE
Leaflet published by North Dorset District Council Nordon, Salisbury Road, Blandford DT11 7LL
The Cycleway is 73 miles long and links with the Wiltshire Cycleway near Gillingham
There are suggested links for shorter rides
Tourist information Blandford 01258 454770, Shaftesbury 01747 853514
PURBECK
"Out of Car Experience" 6 local routes of varying lengths.
download free of charge
or order at £1 per pack of 6 routes from any of the following:
Purbeck District Council, Westport House, Worgret Rd, Wareham Bh20 4PP
Tel 01929 556561 Fax 01929 552688
Swanage Tourist Information Centre 01929 422885
Purbeck Information & Heritage Centre 01929 552740
EAST DORSET
DCN is working with the East Dorset Community Partnership and City Cycle Guides to produce a set of 5 definitive cycle maps for the southern part of the district by March 2009
The areas covered will include Lytchett Matravers, Corfe Mulle, Wimborne, Ferndown, Ashley Heath, Verwood, West Moors, Three Legged Cross and Alderholt.
Set of 6 circular leisure routes in rural East Dorset. £3.50 from Moors Valley Country Park
10 Family Cycle Rides in the Wimborne Area. Wimborne Tourist Information Centre
CYCLING IN DORSET by David Cheetham. Price £.6.95. Published by Dorset Books. ISBN 1-871164-40-0
CYCLING in DORSET and HAMPSHIRE
Price £8.99
Published by Collins in collaboration with CTC. 25 mapped tours from 12km to 100km. ISBN 0-00448682-V
GREAT CYCLE ROUTES DORSET & NEW FOREST
Price £7.99 Wimborne Tourist Information Centre tel 01202 886116 fax 01202 841025
CYCLING IN THE NEW FOREST
Price £1.00
Official route map published by the Forestry Commission, Lyndhurst, Hants SO43 7NH
Shows all routes across the 66,000 acres of Crown lands of the New Forest where cycling is permitted including over 100 miles of roads and link routes joining blocks of woodland and major access points.
By keeping to these cyclists will not be disturbing wildlife and will reduce damage to the Forest.
Latest information on route closures and safety advice 01703 284476 (Forestry Commission)
Camping information and brochure 01703 283771 (Forestry Commission)
Tourist Information 01703 282269 Open all year
CYCLE TOURS in Dorset, Hampshire & Isle of Wight by Nick Cotton
Price £9.99
24 one-day routes. Published by Ordnance Survey ISBN 0-600-57915-8
Includes 1:50,000 maps of on and off road routes, gradient diagrams, places to see and stop.
The road rides are 30 - 35 miles, and the off road ones are 15 - 20 miles
There is also information about preparing your bike, what to wear, what to take with you and how to get your bike to the start of each ride
EXPLORE NORTH DORSET BY BIKE
Price FREE
Leaflet published by North Dorset District Council Nordon, Salisbury Road, Blandford DT11 7LL
The Cycleway is 73 miles long and links with the Wiltshire Cycleway near Gillingham
There are suggested links for shorter rides
Tourist information Blandford 01258 454770, Shaftesbury 01747 853514
WILTSHIRE CYCLEWAY
Price FREE
A 60 mile route map with written descriptions covering the whole county, divided into 8 sections of between 16 and 33 miles . There is also information about obtaining cycling permits for the Kennet and Avon Canal towpath. There are penalties for cycling there without a permit
NATIONAL CYCLE NETWORK
Maps and booklets available from Sustrans
UK CYCLE MAPS and guides for most areas of the country
City Cycle Guides
Cyclemaps
http://www.cyclecityguides.co.uk/
CYCLING in the CHERBOURG PENINSULA
In the Départment of La Manche, which is twinned with the County of Dorset, there are excellent cycle routes of varying lengths
Descriptive leaflets with clear maps are available from
Comité départemental du tourisme de la Manche,
50008 St Lô, France
tel +33 (0)2 33 05 98 70
or e-mail manchetourisme@cg50.fr
There are about 20 cycling clubs in the region between Cherbourg, Coutances and St Lô. They belong to the Cycle Touring Committee of La Manche, which offers “Cyclo Découverte”, guided group rides of anything from 20km/30km in a ½ day, to 60km/70km in a whole day.
You take your own picnic, but on return you are offered a drink with the organising club.
Sunday rides are open to all
Other regular rides of 100km/150km/200km or more are organised,
as well as Mountain Bike rides for both beginners and experienced riders.
Information from
Comité départemental de Cyclotourisme de la Manche,
Hôtel de Ville,
50190 Periers,
France
phone/fax +33 (0)2 33 47 93 51