You are free to cycle on public roads, byways, designated cycle paths and cycle tracks. There are also 29,000 kilometres (18,000 miles) of bridleways which cyclists can use, although they must give way to horse riders and walkers. Bridleways are marked on Ordnance Survey maps.

There’s a route near you. The National Byway offers over 6,436 kilometres (4,000 miles) of signposted cycle routes around the UK. Due for completion in 2007, it aims to provide safe and easy-to-follow routes through some of the country's most interesting heritage sites. Go to the website to find out more.

For sheer exhilaration, try the Pennine Bridleway ( www.nationaltrail.co.uk/penninebridleway/ ). The Bridleway goes through Derbyshire to the South Pennines and currently 193 kilometres (120 miles) of the route is open. The 75-kilometre (47-mile) Mary Towneley Loop circuit and the 16-kilometre (10-mile) Settle Loop in the Yorkshire Dales are party of this and worth trying. Once fully open, the full route will be 558 kilometres (347 miles) and could take 3 to 4 weeks to horse ride/walk and 2 weeks to cycle.