Off the beaten track???

[Bored At Work]

Being fairly new to biking and having had my Transalp for just over a year I feel it's time to get away from the tarmac and try some off road (nothing too hairy) trails.

Can anyone recommend any routes around the Gloucestershire (or surrounding) area or perhaps it is possible to buy a map with these routes on?

Cheers

[landyandy]

I suggest you get yourself an O/S Landranger map - the pink size should do.

This will show you all of the rights of way in the area - you'll probably be looking for byways (marked +-+-+- ....).

Be warned - some of these 'legal rights of way' may have temporary restriction orders (TRO's) on them - your local council's rights of way officer will be able to confirm this for you.

[iswoolley]

Just a note that TROs have to be posted on the 'road' that is closed, at both ends of the closure. If there's no sign then the byway/road is open.

Gloucestshire is pretty poor in terms of marked byways. You're much better off crossing the border (remember your passport so you can get out again!) into Wales. The area around Rhayader has some top notch scenery and trails. (If someone offers to take you along Strata Florida, refuse point blank, it's not a byway for the faint hearted or road tyres.)

Iain

[landyandy]

True, but the problem is that people tend to remove them ...

You could always cross the other border to Salisbury Plain - there are masses of byways that way.