Bristol is a great place to learn to cycle and a great place to enjoy cycling whether on specific cycle paths, routes created by Sustrans, at the Family Cycling Centre, with a group or at a local event. Here is some information to help you enjoy cycling in Bristol. It doesn’t include everything, so if you are a cycling organisation and would like your information to be included please email ActiveCity@bristol.gov.uk
Tuesday 4th September – Tour of Britain Stage 3: Bristol
The Ovo Energy Tour of Britain is a multi-stage road cycling race where elite cyclists representing teams from around the world will race each other across ‘stages’ around the country. The tour is 1140 Kilometres travelling from Carmarthenshire in Wales to Devon, Bristol, Warwickshire, Cumbria, Nottinghamshire and London – 8 stages in 8 days.
Bristol’s stage is described as a “short, sharp out-and-back leg into the North Somerset hills including the climb of Cheddar Gorge. The finish on Clifton Down is the same one as used by the race in 2014 and 2016, where Michal Kwiatkowski, Tony Martin and Rohan Dennis have taken victories.” More information about the stage can be found on the Tour of Britain Stage 3 webpage .
Sunday 16th September – Cycle Sunday
Free cycling event on closed roads around the Downs from 10am to 2pm with lots of other cycling activities to get involved in. See the Cycle Sunday listing.
Starting Out
Starting Out
Better by Bike
Everything you need to know about Cycling in Bristol and surrounding areas, route maps and more
Bristol Bikeability
Bristol City Council Bikeability and All Abilities Cycling Training Team offers free training and cycle activities to people of all ages and abilities
Bristol Bikeability Facebook page
Bristol City Council Cycling page
Bristol Family Cycling Centre
Cycle coaching and skills sessions on a safe off-road course for all ages and abilities to build confidence, bike maintenance and bikes, all-abilities bikes and trikes to try.
Family Cycling Centre Facebook page
British Cycling’s HSBC UK Ready Set Ride initiative to help children 18 months to 8 years to learn to ride a bike
British Cycling
The governing body for cycling, information on all types of cycling from getting going to commuting, sportives and racing.
East Bristol Kidical Mass
Family cycle rides aiming to get children and adults cycling together.
Join the group here: East Bristol Kidical Mass Group
HSBC Breeze
Inspiring women to ride for fun and fitness
LifeCycle
Helping people to get out cycling through Bike maintenance courses, free Cycle training, refurbished bikes, group rides (for Wellbeing, Visually Impaired, Over 55s and young people) and Dr Bike.
Sustrans
A resource with content from: Choosing your child’s first bike and teaching them how to ride without stabilisers to Family cycle routes and Urban adventures through the National Cycle Network.
Road Cycling
Audax Club Bristol
Bristol South Cycling Club
Bristol South Cycling Club Facebook page
Bristol Road Club
Bristol Road Club Facebook page
BW Cycling
Saturday morning 7am ride: BW Cycling Saturday ride
Bristol Cycling Development Squad
Various activities from Go Ride Skills Sessions to Race teams
Brewdog Bristol Cycling Club
A cycling club with a difference; focussed around our local community, good beer, and open to anyone. Come on down a get involved!!
Brewdog Bristol Cycling Club Facebook page
Bristol Belles Cycling Club – Warmley, South Glos
New female only cycling club based in East Bristol (South Glos) with an emphasis on having fun (and eating cake) for riders of all abilities.
Bristol Belles Facebook page (no updates for a while)
Bristol and District Triathlon Club
Triathlon club founded to serve multisport athletes of all abilities in the greater Bristol area.
Cycle Bristol CTC
A local member group of Cycling UK
Bristol Thursday Old Time Cyclists
A group of older cyclists who run a gentle weekly ride to a pub and back.
Bristol (Occasional) Road Cyclists
Facebook group for road cyclists based around Bristol or the south west to arrange or invite other members on informal long distance (12-15 MPH average, 30 miles +) rides. Riders of all ages and abilities welcome
Bristol (occasional) Road Cyclists Facebook group
Bristol City Cycling
Bristol Cycling Campaign have regular rides, and also a journey planner
Cycle out Bristol
The cycling branch of the Gay Outdoor Club offer friendly sociable rides.
Dasrad Klub
Saturday morning 9am ride, Tuesday 7am ride
Dropouts Cycle Club
Dropouts Cycle Club Facebook page
Specialized Concept Store Ambassador Ride (monthly Sunday 10.30am rides)
Specialixed Concept Store Bristol Facebook event page
University of Bristol Cycling Club
Mountain Biking
If you prefer cycling off-road, on trails uphill and downhill, like adrenalin sports with a high skill level this could be for you.
Introduction to mountain biking
British Cycling’s Get Into Mountain Biking Information
Bristol Trails Group
Building and maintaining mountain bike trails in Bristol.
Mountain biking at Ashton Court Estate
The mountain bike trails at Ashton Court Estate are suitable for all abilities, including families. They also host a range of competitions and charity biking events.
MTB Bristol guide
The trail highlights, pumptracks and top pit stops – you can’t go wrong with this guide to the best of Bristol mountain biking.
Better by Bike
Better by Bike’s guide to Mountain Biking Routes
Pedal Progression
Bike Hire and Skills Coaching at Ashton Court.
Bristol Mountain Bike Club
Facebook group for BMBC – a club for mountain bike riders in and around Bristol.
Bristol and surrounding area mountain bike group
Facebook group where people can discuss mountain bike tips and arrange/ organise meet ups or group rides
Bristol and surrounding area Facebook group
Bristol Biking Friends
B Biking Friends Facebook group for mountain biking, sharing rides, etc.
BMX
Fancy improving your skills and having some fun on a BMX track?
Access Sport
Access Sport and Bristol City Council are working together to provide updated BMX tracks in Bristol.
Access Sport are also setting up new club activity and coaching sessions, follow their Bristol BMX Facebook page, Lawrence Weston. Henacre Facebook page, and Hillfields Facebook page
Bristol Trails Group
Have a guide to BMX and pump tracks.
Better by Bike
Have a guide to BMX ramp parks and racing tracks.
Other Cycling Resources
Bristol Cycling Campaign
A volunteer group who want to make Greater Bristol better for cycling.
Bristol Cycle Festival
A fun annual festival to celebrate all things cycling
Yo Bikes
Bikes that can be hired around the city