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

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 When passing other cycles or pedestrians, use normal road sense: cycle on the left when meeting oncoming people, and don’t overtake if the way ahead isn’t clear!

 Be extremely cautious when cycling under bridges and tunnels – these are often very narrow with restricted headroom at one side, and visibility is often limited.

 Take great care passing dogs (or lone walkers whose dogs may be hidden in the undergrowth), as these can unpredictably change direction or run out in front of you, sometimes with a long ‘tripwire’ lead between them and their owner.

Cycling efficiently

The routes in this book are intended for anyone of average fitness upwards. You do not have to be an athlete by any means, but you will need a basic level of fitness. The following advice may help with hills and off-road sections if you are new to cycling.

Uphill cycling

Uphill through Upper Swainswick village (Route 10)

I regularly see novice (and not-so novice!) cyclists struggling to push a bike up a steep hill, when just a few simple tips could turn a frustrating slog into a fun challenge (well, OK… perhaps the fun really comes from overcoming the ascent rather than the uphill effort itself). It’s so much more enjoyable when you can stay on the bike uphill as well as downhill.