Preston

Clubs

British Cycling can help you to find a club that’s right for you. Use the club finder link to find a club near you. There are some great cycling clubs and groups in Preston and the surrounding area who welcome new and novice cyclists to come along and ride with them, including:

Preston Wheelers

Red Rose Olympic

Preston Pirates BMX club

Ribble Valley Cycling Club

Commuting

Preston is rapidly developing a reputation for being one of the most cycle-friendly towns in the UK. It’s at the heart of the National Cycle Network, with a number of traffic-free routes and the brand new Guild Wheel circular greenway Preston is a great place to ride a bike.

Cycle route provision
Preston stands at the meeting point of three major National Cycle Network routes, Route 62, which enters the town from Fylde in the west, Route 55 which heads in from the south via Leyland and Route 6 which heads north out of town towards Lancaster.

However it’s Preston’s ‘Guild Wheel’ which is the real news. The Guild wheel is a 21 mile traffic-free greenway encircling the town; essentially a cyclist’s ring road, developed as a lasting legacy of the 2012 Preston Guild. It takes cyclists around town in a relaxing, scenic fashion, taking in Preston Docks, Avenham and Miller parks, Fishwick Bottoms, Melling Wood and Brockholes. The Guild Wheel has its own microsite within Lancashire County Council’s website, where you can keep up to date on developments.

Within the wheel, there are numerous recommended cycle routes, identified on Preston Town Council’s cycling map (LINK). Under development is the Preston Railway Station/Fishergate Centre Link - a direct path into Preston Railway Station and the Fishergate Shopping Centre from the south of the Ribble. For updates on this route, check out Lancashire County Council’s cycling pages.

Cycle parking
Lancashire County Council has a great interactive map detailing the many cycle parking locations in Preston and elsewhere in the county.

Cycling and trains
Preston station has sheltered cycle storage on all platforms and is linked to the cycle network by the new cycle path mentioned above. If you intend to take your bike on the train, your best bet is to check with the individual train operator for their cycle policy.

Cycle shops
Leisure Lakes' Preston branch is perhaps the best known shop in town, while online giant Ribble is in Bamber Bridge. Broadgate Cycle Stores are in Penwortham Lane, while Wallis Cycles are in Walton-le-Dale and Fulwood Cycles serves the north of the town.

Don’t leave home without...
Preston Council’s Cycle Map, which details traffic free paths, recommended routes, cycle crossings and other permissive routes in the town. You can get the map from Preston Council’s website here.

Essential Links
Open Cycle Map – Preston  
Lancashire County Council Cycling Pages  
Preston Council Cycling Pages

Facilities

There are a range of great facilities in Preston and the surrounding area which are ideal for all kinds of cycling.

Closed road circuit: UCLAN Sports Arena has a closed road circuit open to all. The 1.5km track is a great place to try out track cycling.

BMX track: Preston BMX track is located at Fishwick Recreation Ground and can be accessed via the Preston Pirates BMX Club.

Guild Wheel: a 21 mile walkway and cycleway that encircles Preston, linking the city to the countryside and bringing the benefits of a beautiful outdoor space to the city.

Support

Cycling for all

Inclusive disability cycling is going from strength to strength in Preston. Cycling Projects is a national charity involved in cycling for health schemes and the fantastic Wheels for All scheme. For a warm welcome, adaptive bikes, and training, check out the Cycling Projects website.

Wheels for All: offer a range of adaptive cycles suitable for adults and young people with physical and learning difficulties, older adults and anyone recovering from injury or ill health.

• Monday and Thursday's, 10.30am to 3pm (meet at Moor Park Football Pavilion)
• Junior Wheels for All (18yrs & under) Saturday's (fortnightly), 11am to 12.30pm (meet at Moor Park Football Pavilion)
• £2 donation per session

Health on Wheels: guided leisurely cycle rides within the beautiful green spaces of Preston Park's. Predominantly off road and sections of the Guild Wheel cycle path. Routes are set to the ability of the group on the day and range between 2 to 6 miles. Bikes and helmets available at each venue, £2 donation per session. A sociable friendly atmosphere, finishing with a brew and social time at the end.  

• Tuesday's 10am to 11am, Grange Park (meet at the Grange Park Interpretation Centre)
• Tuesday's 1pm to 2pm, Haslam Park (meet at the allotment site on the park)
• Friday's 10.30am to 11.30am, Avenham Park (meet at Frenchwood Recreation Area)

Beginners: adult 'Learn to Ride' cycle sessions, aimed at developing and/or improving cycling skills and confidence. These sessions are suitable for the complete beginner and anyone keen to return to cycling after a long period (e.g. since childhood). Bikes and helmets available, £2 donation per session. Session can cater for young people during the school holidays.

• Wednesday's 12.30pm to 1.30pm, Moor Park (meet at the Moor Park Football Pavilion)

Women Only (in partnership with the British Cycling's Breeze): led by female cyclists, women only cycling sessions for beginners to more experienced riders. Bikes and helmets are provided for a £2 donation. If you are interested in women only cycling sessions please contact Charlotte on phone: 07971476698, email: c.tompkins@preston.gov.uk

• Wednesday's 6pm to 8pm, from May to September 2014 (meet at Frenchwood Recreation Area next to Christ the King High School)

Preston Pacers: a fun progressive social cycling group ideal for the slightly more confident rider who is looking for a social group to keep fit with and/or would like to gradually progress to joining a local cycling club. Rides approximately 15 to 20 miles between 7-11mph on routes accessing the Guild Wheel, quiet lanes and Lancashire Cycle Way, with café stops on route.

• Saturday's 10am to 1pm (approx), Haslam Park (meet at the allotment site)
• Wednesday's 6 to 8pm, from May to September, Haslam Park (meet at the allotment site)

Check out Preston on Wheels Facebook page

Cycling to work

Lancashire County Council are running a pilot programme providing commuter cycle courses to encourage people who usually travel by car to work, college and training to get on their bikes.

Download Free Cycle Commuting to Work Leaflet to found out more information or email sustainabletravel@lancashire.gov.uk.

Where to ride

There’s never been a better time to cycle in Preston. British Cycling is working with Preston City Council to promote cycling opportunities in the area and encourage more people to ride their bikes to work, to school, and for fun.

The Preston Guild Wheel

The Preston Guild Wheel is a 21 mile ‘Greenway’ that encircles the city of Preston, linking the city to the countryside. It is both a walking and cycling route and was created as a lasting legacy for the city’s 2012 Guild celebrations.
 
The Guild Wheel route makes the most of the different landscapes that surround the city of Preston, creating a rich and varied environment for everyone to enjoy. Find out more or view the Guild Wheel map.