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MENDIP TIMES
Underground, overground . . . cycling free
CYCLING does not always have to be about how far or how fast you can go. Sometimes it’s nice just to enjoy a scenic CYCLING and pleasant route at a with EDMUND more leisurely pace LODITE accompanied by family or friends. Anyone who first rode a bike never did so with the intention of winning the Tour de France or to become an Olympic champion. We did it for the independence and freedom to explore unfamiliar places, or simply to get around. There are times when its best to ditch the Strava stats and trip computer to enjoy a bike ride – just for the ride. One of my favourite examples of this is the Two Tunnels circuit around Bath. The family-friendly circular route is mostly traffic-free making use of canal towpaths, disused railway tracks and quiet country lanes. Along the easy going 13-mile circular path you will pass through the UK’s longest cycling and walking tunnel, cycle over a viaduct, glimpse views of a castle, reach an aqueduct and ride through the centre of historic Bath. That is quite a lot to pack into a bike ride – so it is best taken at a leisurely pace. Paths and turnings are marked using the blue and red signposts for the National Cycle Network (route no’s 244, 24 and 4). Even so, it is worth taking a copy of the route on your smartphone or printing a paper copy to navigate through the centre
Route map PAGE 88 • MENDIP TIMES • MAY 2022
of Bath. The route can be enjoyed in both directions, with each offering a different perspective. There are plenty of access points along the circuit, some of which connect to other routes on the National Cycle Network. The Bristol and Bath railway path allows traffic-free access from the west of Bath while the Colliers Way provides a peaceful link to Radstock and Frome in the south. Starting from Bath, on an anti-clockwise circuit, the route makes use of the river Avon footpath before heading through parkland along the former Somerset and Dorset railway line to the iconic Two Tunnels. The line from Bath was used for freight, local passenger traffic and weekend holiday trips to Bournemouth. It closed in 1966 as part of the Beeching axe to rail services despite protests from local communities. If there is a positive legacy from that decision, it is that where trains once huffed and puffed through smoke-filled tunnels, cyclists and walkers now have a traffic-free route. The first tunnel (the Devonshire) is around 400m long and is preparation for the much longer tunnel that follows shortly afterwards. At an impressive 1672m long the Combe Down Tunnel is the UK’s longest cycling and walking tunnel and provides a flat route compared to the hilly terrain above ground. Riding through this underground
thoroughfare is a striking sensory experience heightened by an audio-visual installation. The tunnel curves at both ends, so there is no daylight inside. Instead, lights cast soft pools of illumination onto the smooth road surface and the sooty brick and limestone walls (cycle lights are still recommended so that others can see you). Progressing through the tunnel you can feel the temperature noticeably dropping. Marker points on the path indicating how far you are from each end of the tunnel are the only measure of your progress. Halfway along, you’ll be surprised by soft violin strings playing from motion activated speakers set into recesses on the wall. Gradually the daylight creeps back into view and the warm air provides a welcome treat as you leave the tunnel. Almost immediately, the path makes a transition from underground to overground as it crosses the impressive Tucking Mill Viaduct. Midford Castle built in the shape of the ace of clubs sits perched on the hillside above and after a short section on quiet lanes the path reaches Dundas Aqueduct, an architectural gem from the 18th century. From here the route follows canal towpaths all the way back to the centre of historic Bath – and if you’re lucky you might get a glimpse of a heron along the way! This ride can be as long or short as you wish it to be with many places to stop and eat and have a drink. It has been described by The Independent as “one of the most scenically varied and sightseeing-rich couple of hours of cycling anywhere in Britain”. That is a bold claim indeed – but to be honest I’ve not seen any better.
