Activities: Cycling

Cycling is a great environmentally friendly way to see more of Britain. Cycle to work, ride a sportive or tour the length of the country.

running under an underpass in the dark with friends
  • Cycling
  • Hiking
  • Running
  • Safety
  • Walking
  • Wellbeing

No Excuses: Practical TIPS for Exercising in Winter

December 3, 2024
7 min read

Are you full of excuses when it comes to getting outside in winter? Read our list of top winter exercising tips to keep safe and get energised this winter

lightweight headtorch review silva smini
  • Camping
  • Cycling
  • Gear guides
  • Hiking
  • OS TEST THE BEST
  • Running
  • Walking

OS Test The Best Lightweight Head Torch – Silva Smini & Smini Fly

October 30, 2024
24 min read

Our intrepid OS Champions review the NEW Smini Headtorch and Smini Fly Headtorch - take a look at their in depth reviews

  • Cycling
  • Walking

Horror Film Locations in the UK

October 23, 2024
8 min read

UK Horror Film Locations: With Halloween around the corner, why not explore some routes passing real-life locations from iconic horror films using Ordnance Survey’s OS Maps?

choosingagps-suunto-cycling
  • Beginner's guides
  • Climbing and mountaineering
  • Cycling
  • Hiking
  • Off-road cycling
  • Running

Beginners guide to choosing a GPS device

June 26, 2024
17 min read

Would you like to use a walking, running or cycling GPS device to make your outdoor activities easier, safer or more fun but don't know where to start? This GPS guide looks at different features and functions to help you choose a GPS device most suited to you.

Womens Tour 2022 © SWpix.com
  • Cycling

Tour of Britain Cycling Challenges

June 5, 2024
4 min read

Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain Women is in June. OS and British Cycling have picked out four Mountain climbs for you and your friends to challenge yourselves.

hero-_helen_pedal.d635ad0f1f03d16ac80ae9884a3c9df0
  • Cycling
  • Family activities

Learn to cycle

September 22, 2023
4 min read

Cycling is brilliant for all ages – it’s fun, great physical exercise and provides an opportunity for family adventures outside. This useful learn to cycle guide will help you teach someone to ride for the first time.

timmy-mallett.2459c66550e35ba20830f8037c980982
  • Cycling

Timmy Mallett cycles Britain

August 22, 2023
1 min read

Explore this interactive map of Timmy Mallett’s cycle ride around Britain. See the paintings he's done on route to showcase his love for Britain's coastline.

how-to-get-into-triathlon-hero.2459c66550e35ba20830f8037c980982
  • Cycling
  • Running
  • Swimming

How to get into triathlon

August 8, 2023
8 min read

OS Champion Sam Taylor-Frost is part of the GB Triathlon Team. She completed her first triathlon without being super fit or spending a lot of money on kit and you can do the same. Find out how to get into triathlon and give this multi-sport event a go.

Riding on Dorset's Jurassic coast
  • Cycling
  • Off-road cycling

Great British Gravel Rides

April 25, 2023
9 min read

Author of Great British Gravel Rides, Markus Stitz, introduces three of Britain’s most iconic gravel riders and shares their favourite routes for you to enjoy.

how-to-start-cycling-hero.2459c66550e35ba20830f8037c980982
  • Cycling

How to get into cycling

April 21, 2023
3 min read

Whether you want to cycle more, rekindle your love for your bike or try it for the first time, British Cycling explain how you can get into cycling and get the most from your bike on a budget.

New Hall Valley Country Park
  • Cycling
  • Off-road cycling
  • Places to go

Traffic-free cycling routes in the West Midlands

April 21, 2023
6 min read

British Cycling share their favourite traffic-free cycling routes within the West Midlands, all of which are available in OS Maps. These family-friendly routes are suitable for all cycling abilities and make a great day out.

bikepacking-ebike-hero2.2459c66550e35ba20830f8037c980982
  • Cycling
  • Off-road cycling

Bikepacking on an e-bike

February 28, 2023
6 min read

OS Champion, Phillipa Cherryson, shares her newfound love for e-biking and offers some great advice on bikepacking on an electric bike.

osmaps-cycletour-landranger-hero2.2459c66550e35ba20830f8037c980982
  • Cycling
  • Off-road cycling

Cycling Britain with OS Maps

February 1, 2023
15 min read

Mark Wedgwood took on the epic challenge to cycle Britain, passing through all 204 OS Landranger Maps. Find out what he learnt from his trip and get some great advice on multi-day adventures and cycling in Britain.

10-best-geographical-landscapes_herobanner.d635ad0f1f03d16ac80ae9884a3c9df0
  • Cycling
  • Road cycling

Cycling all 204 OS Landranger maps!

July 15, 2022
9 min read

We caught up with Mark Wedgewood over a cup of tea at the golf course club house a mile, outside Arisaig, where he tells us about his challenge to cycle all 204 OS Landranger maps

leave_the_car_at_home_hero.2b125a5e49d392e4fef6356d16742782
  • Cycling
  • Sustainability
  • Walking

Leave the car at home

June 13, 2022
10 min read

By walking or cycling instead, you'll see a positive impact on your health and happiness, the environment and your wallet. Find out how you can swap shorter car journeys for active travel and make a real difference.

Gravel bike and OS Maps
  • Cycling
  • Off-road cycling

Where to ride a gravel bike: best gravel riding routes

March 30, 2022
7 min read

We’re lucky to have some amazing places to go gravel riding in Britain. This article takes a look at some of the best places to take a gravel bike and shows you how you can find and plan your own gravel riding routes. Includes popular routes recommended by the Gravel Kings.

guide_gravel_biking_hero1.d635ad0f1f03d16ac80ae9884a3c9df0
  • Cycling
  • Off-road cycling

Beginner’s guide to gravel riding

November 19, 2021
6 min read

Gravel riding fuses the best parts of road cycling, mountain biking and trail riding. You can ride a gravel bike on any terrain making them perfect for exploring from your front door. This guide to gravel riding will explain what it is, where to do it and how to get started.

e-bikes_all_you_need_to_knowhero.d635ad0f1f03d16ac80ae9884a3c9df0
  • Cycling
  • Off-road cycling
  • Road cycling

All you need to know about electric bikes (e-bikes)

October 28, 2021
5 min read

OS GetOutside Champion and owner of Stage 1 Cycles, Helen Pollard, tells you everything you need to know about e-bikes and how they can help you save money, become fitter, more sustainable and cover more ground.

cycle_touring_guide_hero2.d635ad0f1f03d16ac80ae9884a3c9df0
  • Cycling
  • Road cycling

Beginner’s guide to cycle touring

October 1, 2021
8 min read

Travelling by bike guarantees a fantastic adventure and allows you to discover much more than your regular holiday. This beginner's guide to cycle touring will explain what it is and how to do it.

long_distance_cycle_routes_britain_hero2.d635ad0f1f03d16ac80ae9884a3c9df0
  • Cycling
  • Off-road cycling
  • Road cycling

10 best British long-distance cycle routes

October 1, 2021
11 min read

If you're looking for an epic bikepacking or cycle touring trip, we have just the adventure for you! Sam Jones from Cycling UK shares with us his favourite long-distance cycle routes in Great Britain for both on and off-road adventures.

bdo_hero.dfb116b24fe1749d7b8d7d2da6a64dab
  • Cycling
  • Off-road cycling
  • Walking

Public Rights of Way

March 29, 2021
9 min read

Did you know, we show over 220,000 km of public rights of way on our maps? Approximately 170,000 km of these are footpaths and 40,000 km are bridleways. Over 4,600 km are National Trails and 30,900 km are recreational routes!

  • Cycling
  • Walking

How to find easy walking and cycling routes

October 15, 2020
3 min read

If you prefer traffic-free cycling routes, need a footpath that's stile-free so you can walk with a pram or are looking for a route suitable for a wheelchair, former railway lines can be the ideal solution.

begwalkinghero.d635ad0f1f03d16ac80ae9884a3c9df0
  • Cycling
  • Gear guides
  • Walking

What is a GPX file?

July 1, 2020
5 min read

In any discussion of routes, navigation or GPS devices, you have probably seen people mentioning ‘GPX files’. GPX is shorthand for GPS eXchange Format and is a type of file that’s really helpful to anyone who loves the outdoors, plus it's the most popular way of saving and exchanging routes.

  • Cycling

Considerate cycling

June 4, 2020
4 min read

There’s been a sudden surge in interest in cycling recently, which is great! But like all users of the outdoors, cyclists need to be aware of their responsibilities too. Read on for what you can do…

  • Cycling
  • Road cycling

National cycle network added to os maps!

July 19, 2019
2 min read

We’re pleased to announce that we’re are teaming up with Sustrans to create a brand new free layer in the OS Maps app. That’s 16,575-miles of brand new traffic-free and quiet on road cycling and walking routes to explore!

A range of mountains over the lake
  • Cycling
  • Off-road cycling

The Kintyre Way by bike

November 28, 2018
8 min read

The Kintyre way; 100miles of waymarked, unexplored natural beauty in the Kintyre peninsula that stretches from Tarbert to Machrihanish. Known for being a long-distance walking path, recent changes mean it's now rideable too. The Kintyre way by Bike is a challenging, picture perfect trail on the non-island island.

  • Cycling
  • Off-road cycling

10 traffic-free cycling routes from london

July 10, 2018
4 min read

London isn’t always the first place that springs to mind when it comes to group cycling. But with canals, towpaths and green spaces galore, there are a surprising number of traffic-free cycling routes that are perfect for families and groups.

A range of mountains over the lake
  • Cycling
  • Road cycling

Top 10 lost lanes in the West Country

June 27, 2018
8 min read

OS #GetOutside Champion and cycling guidebook author, Jack Thurston, takes us on a journey along his ten favourite lost lanes in the West Country.

  • Cycling
  • Off-road cycling

A guide to bikepacking

April 11, 2018
3 min read

Up for a new adventure? How about a spot of bikepacking. Read our quick guide to find out what it is and what you need to take with you.

  • Cycling
  • Off-road cycling

Three of the best cycling routes in the south downs

November 17, 2016
7 min read

Whether you're looking for family friendly rides or challenging endurance rides, there's something for everyone in the stunning South Downs National Park.

  • Cycling
  • Off-road cycling

Mountain biking in Dartmoor: top routes

September 27, 2016
5 min read

With miles of moorland, Dartmoor National Park is perfect to explore on a bike. Discover a selection of the best routes and find one that suits you.

  • Cycling
  • Running
  • Swimming

A beginner’s guide to triathlon

October 4, 2015
6 min read

The triathlon is a tough but rewarding event and there's plenty of choice in distances. Whether your aiming to tackle major miles or take on a shorter challenge, this beginner's guide to the triathlon will help you work towards your first triathlon.

  • Cycling
  • Off-road cycling

A beginner’s guide to mountain biking

August 8, 2015
6 min read

Get outside and have some muddy fun with this beginner's guide to Mountain Biking.

A range of mountains over the lake
  • Cycling
  • Off-road cycling
  • Road cycling

20 reasons to love cycling

July 17, 2015
6 min read

20 reasons why you should get on your bike and make the most of being on two wheels. What are you waiting for?