Читать книгу Cycling in the Cotswolds. 21 half and full-day cycle routes, and a 4-day 200km Tour of the Cotswolds онлайн

24 страница из 46

Waymarking and access

Gates

Gates are very common in the Cotswolds – expect to find one at each end of every field and across any nice off-road downhill

Gates abound on entry to/exit from and between fields, particularly on bridleways (rather than byways). I have only mentioned gates where they are vital for navigation, but if you assume there will be a gate at the start and end of every field and across any good downhill off-road trail, you won’t go far wrong!

Waymarking signs

Many of the routes in this book make use of Sustrans National Cycle Network routes. These are often waymarked with bright blue stickers on lamp posts and other street furniture – places where the signs are easy to spot and harder for bored kids to remove or redirect than conventional fingerposts. They can be very useful, particularly in built-up areas.

Rights of way

Cyclists are permitted on bridleways, restricted byways (no motorised vehicles) and byways (all vehicles allowed).

Bridleways are usually marked with a blue arrow; byways with a ‘byway’ sign, or sometimes a red arrow; footpaths (which cyclists may not legally ride on) with a yellow arrow. However, it is generally accepted that you can dismount and walk with your bike over a footpath, as is required for a short section of Route 6. Clearly, common sense must also apply: you should not try to push a bike over a narrow single-file footpath where this would cause inconvenience to walkers.