We all like following the same cycle routes and trying to better our PBs on Strava, but there's nothing better than getting out into unfamiliar countryside and expanding our cycling comfort zone.
"Approaching Little Quantock - geograph.org.uk - 1278500" by Derek Harper. Licensed under CC
Ride Velo spent the weekend in the pretty Somerset village of Mells, conveniently situated on the National Cycle Network route 24, at a 15th century coaching inn ideally placed amongst the rolling hills, valleys and rivers in this gorgeous landscape south of Bath.
The Talbot Inn, Mells, which the Sunday Times voted their second favourite pub in the best hotel listings for 2015.
The Talbot Inn is a fantastic base from which to explore this beautiful part of the world, having a great restaurant to help you replenish all those burnt calories. At the weekends, they also cook meats on an open fire in the opulent grill room which you eat convivially from a sharing platter.
Cycling on top of the Dundas Aqueduct. Image courtesy of Visit Bath.
Just behind Mells village post office, you'll find an entrance to The Colliers Way (NCN 24) cycle path. This picturesque stretch is a 23 mile route for walkers, cyclists and horse riders running from the Dundas Aqueduct, to Radstock and the historic market town of Frome, making use of disused railway lines and quiet country lanes. This path is perfect for easy riders on their hybrid tourers, and their children, and is a relaxing and mainly traffic-free environment.
Frome and District Wheelers Cycle Club in action
For those cyclists looking to raise, rather than reduce their heart rate, Frome & District Wheelers Club runs sportives and TTs, as well as welcoming non-members to their club rides which leave from Trowbridge on Sunday mornings.
If you don't want to take your own bike, Fenny Castle Bike Hire can kit you out. Situated between Wells and Glastonbury, this new bike hire centre also has tea rooms and a bed & breakfast, so you can take several days to explore the area on two wheels.
Enjoy a soak in the tub at The Talbot after a hard day pedalling
There are plenty of places to stay, stop and dine - we've just mentioned a small selection here. If you enjoy creating a itinerary tailor-made to your own cycling pleasure, there are many other cycle routes available - just check out cycle-route.com for some alternatives in the area.
