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Bike Rides Around Malmesbury and North Wiltshire
Bike Rides Around Malmesbury and North Wiltshire Author:Judy Jones The beautiful countryside around Malmesbury and North Wiltshire is ideal for exploration on two wheels - along quiet country lanes, over rivers and streams, under Great Western Railway lines. Here you will find ancient landscapes, snapshots of village life, churches and chapels, farmland - apparently little changed by the march of time, but with... more » each generation leaving its mark. For both beginners and experts at the handlebars, the landscape stretching south from the Cotswolds escarpment, via Dauntsey Vale and the Avon Valley, to the northern outcrops of the glorious Wiltshire Downs offers almost limitless opportunities for healthy, inexpensive recreation - at your own pace, off the beaten track. The book features 16 rural rides, from 9-31 miles, through mainly-level landscape, with a few modest inclines and exhilarating descents to add challenge and enjoyment to your trip. Each route is given a star-rating to help readers decide which one to tackle, given prevailing weather conditions and their own abilities: * Easy ** Moderate *** More challenging Novice riders can start with the easier ones, build up their strength and confidence with these, before moving on with the more challenging routes. Cheaper than taking out a gym membership - and you get the fresh air and dazzling rural views too! For the sake of simplicity, all routes start and finish at the ancient Market Cross at the heart of Malmesbury, thought to be England's oldest borough. However the text and layout is so designed that you can easily start and finish each ride at any point along the way, depending on where you live or are staying. There are many excellent B&Bs, guest houses and hotels in an area well-served by railway stations (Kemble, Chippenham and Swindon) - and delightful pubs. You will discover local links with the first Anerican president and see Britain's smallest church You will come across wildflower meadows and find out how a local lady rode an elephant to a meeting of the Beaufort Hunt. And much more.« less