Central Bedfordshire has quiet roads and attractive countryside, with a wealth of cycle routes to provide enjoyable access.
Family cycling
The Forest Centre and Millennium Country Park website at Marston Moreteyne (formerly Marston Moretaine) has 8km of surfaced paths and bikes for hire.
Discover days out by bike on a train with the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Line family cycling leaflet (PDF).
Sustrans National Route 6 runs through Central Bedfordshire from Harpenden through Luton and Dunstable to Leighton Buzzard and has long off-road sections.
Sustrans National Route 51 runs off-road from Sandy through Bedford and then mainly on quiet roads through Cranfield to Milton Keynes.
More routes, maps and further guidance are available on the Sustrans cycling routes and advice website.
On road cycle routes
The Jubilee Cycle Ride has been developed amongst the rolling hills of the Greensand Ridge through the villages of Shefford, Meppershall, Gravenhurst, Shillington and Barton.
Circular road cycle rides
Old Warden to Cardington and Cople circular cycle route map (PDF) - A 25km circular cycle ride along part of the Greensand Ridge and near the popular attractions of the Swiss Garden.
Woburn Wander circular cycle route map (PDF) - Enjoy this 30km cycle ride in the countryside surrounding Woburn.
The Shannon Trail circular cycle route map (PDF) - A 35km circular cycle ride along the quiet lanes and roads of East Bedfordshire and around the villages of Potton, Gamlingay, Steeple Morden and Wrestlingworth.
The Thatcher's Way circular cycle route map (PDF) - Enjoy the 38km circular cycle route along quiet roads and cycle paths around the beautiful villages east of Bedfordshire.
Ampthill to Bedford Loop circular cycle route map (PDF) - 46km route along the quiet roads from the attractive Georgian market town of Ampthill, along the Greensand Ridge and through the county town of Bedford.
Off-road circular cycle routes
The Countryside Access Team have developed a mix of on- and off-road cycling routes using mainly surfaced tracks and quiet lanes. Routes vary from 10 to 16 miles in length and are aimed at keen and competent cyclists.
- Sandy off-road cycle route map (PDF) and Sandy off-road cycle route description (PDF)
- Old Warden off-road cycle route map (PDF) and Old Warden off-road cycle route description (PDF)
- Clophill off-road cycle route map (PDF) and Clophill off-road cycle route description (PDF)
- Barton-le-Clay off-road cycle route map (PDF) and Barton-le-Clay off-road cycle route description (PDF)
- Whipsnade off-road cycle route map (PDF) and Whipsnade off-road cycle route description (PDF)
- Leighton Buzzard off-road cycle route map (PDF) and Leighton Buzzard off-road cycle route description (PDF)
Greensand Cycle Ride
The Greensand Cycle Ride is a 59km cycle route following mainly quiet country lanes with several more challenging off-road sections as alternatives. The route runs between the attractive market towns of Leighton Buzzard and Sandy. Both towns have railway stations.
The ride can be completed in one day, but you may prefer to split it into four stages.
Ride 1 - Leighton Buzzard to Woburn Greensand Cycle Ride map (PDF)
Ride 2 - Woburn to Ampthill Greensand Cycle Ride map (PDF)
Ride 3 - Ampthill to Haynes Greensand Cycle Ride map (PDF)
Ride 4 - Haynes to Sandy Greensand Cycle Ride map (PDF)
Staying safe
Visit the Sustrans cycling safety advice pages for guidance on cycling safely, riding after dark and using shared paths.