Carlisle

Clubs

Eden Valley CTC

The Eden Valley Cumbria Group of the CTC organises rides every Wednesday and Sunday. These are largely on scenic routes and quiet lanes, varying in length and pace. Normal rides are 50 to 70 miles in the summer (plus an annual 100 miler), less in winter. Most rides have designated breaks at cafés, allowing cyclists to ride directly there, to shorten or lengthen their day.

Border City Wheelers

The Border City Wheelers has been promoting cycling in Carlisle since 1925. The friendly club is welcoming to new members of all ages and abilities. They have an active membership of over 200 involved in most types of cycling, including road racing, time trialling, grass track racing, sportives, reliability rides and social riding.

During the competitive season there is the weekly Club Time Trial series, with events taking place most Wednesday evenings on local roads. There are also a number of road race events, usually taking place on a Sunday morning. From April to September, grass track sessions are held at Bitts Park on a Monday evening, providing a very accessible insight into the thrills of track riding. The junior section organises Go-Ride (activity) sessions for the young riders on Friday evenings. In addition, there are also social group rides.

To find out more, visit Border City Wheelers.

Support

Cycle Carlisle

Cycle Carlisle aim to make cycling in Carlisle, safe, convenient and popular. To encourage people to use cycling as part of their normal daily transport and turn Carlisle into a progressive cycle-friendly City.

Cycle Carlisle is a lobbying group for everyone who cycles (or wishes to cycle) in the Carlisle District. We have a voice with the City and County Councils, which has helped the development of cycle routes and facilities in and around Carlisle. If you join the group receive regular updates on cycling news, attend group meetings and take part in monthly rides. Members also receive a discount in some local bike shops.

The annual subscription fee is £5 for individual members and £10 for families. Join Cycle Carlisle.

Making cycling accessible: The Watchtree Wheelers

The Watchtree Wheelers Cycle Centre opened in July 2009 and is based at Watchtree Nature Reserve, between Wigton and Carlisle. The centre provides adapted cycles for all abilities, as well as high quality instruction and guidance, including learning to ride, improving riding skills, and selecting the right bike for your needs.

The benefits of cycling are easily recognised: as well as being a great form of exercise, cycling helps to improve balance, co-ordination and confidence within a group activity.  Cycling promotes social inclusion, friendship and team work.

Watchtree Wheelers manage and maintain over two miles of private, specially constructed, traffic free cycle paths and provide guided cycle rides for individuals and groups. They also have cycle hire, including adapted and standard cycles, kmx and mobility scooters.

Where to ride

Carlisle is a natural hub of national, regional and local cycle routes; from circular trails to rides around the rolling countryside. Carlisle Cycle and Walk Map.

National Route 72, better known as Hadrian's Cycleway passes through Bitts Park to the north of the city. Plus there are lots of gentle rides to enjoy around the breath-taking countryside of the Solway coast or Eden Valley.

If you’re looking for a challenge, the Reivers Cycle Route will take you over 150 miles of amazing Border countryside and through the very heart of Carlisle.

New traffic-free routes along the city’s rivers are also being developed; these include Caldew to Dalston (complete), River Petteril from Stony Holme to Carleton (partially complete) and the River Eden between Rickerby Park and Belle Vue (complete with an interim route near Waverley Viaduct).

To find out more, visit http://www.discovercarlisle.co.uk.