The Cathedrals Cycle Route is a unique partnership between the Association of English Cathedrals and Cycling UK, with the support of Sustrans, the British Pilgrimage Trust and Northumbria University that links all 42 Anglican cathedrals in one 2,000-mile cycle route.
Cycle Cathedral – Bike Week 2023
It was launched in 2021 with a cathedral–cathedral relay challenge taking in all 42 cathedrals, last year saw the route done in reverse and this year cathedrals are encouraged to organise smaller local cycling relays and events along the routes.
The Cathedrals Cycle Route was set up by entrepreneur and keen cyclist Shaun Cutler from Northumbria University to help us out of lockdown with opportunities for short cycle rides between cathedrals, new partnerships and fundraising for activities to support physical and mental wellbeing.
Shaun said:
“The Cathedrals Cycle Route is about connecting our historic cathedrals and enjoying the spaces between them.
“The last few years have seen a lot of change, the Cathedrals Cycle Route is a great way to rediscover and reconnect, supporting people’s mental and physical health and promoting the mission of England’s cathedrals through pilgrimage, wellbeing and heritage.”
Each cathedral has been encouraged to appoint a dedicated cycle champion to improve the cycle-readiness of its building, ensure a warm welcome for visiting cyclists and increase the number that currently arrive on two wheels.
Like Maurice Manktelow, Bradford Cathedral’s Cycle Champion, who said:
“However our visitors come to our cathedral this year, we look forward to welcoming them and if they come on two wheels, we’re ready with a warm welcome, a place to park their bikes, and somewhere to fill their water bottles.
“We have an opportunity to be at the heart of initiatives to support and connect our communities and the Cathedrals Cycle Route is one way of doing that. It allows visitors to Bradford Cathedral to appreciate not just the beauty and sanctity of our building, but to enjoy the journey between them as well, which after years of restrictions, is even more important for our mental and physical well-being than ever before.”
These are some of the events our cathedrals are undertaking this Bike Week.
Carlisle-Newcastle-Durham-Carlisle
Shaun Cutler, creator of the Cathedrals Cycle Route, and Graham Rutt, author of Cycling Britain’s Cathedrals, will be joined by a small group cycling a tri-cathedral circular route Carlisle-Durham-Newcastle-Carlisle between Tuesday 6 and Saturday 8 June
Contact: Shaun Cutler hello@cathedralscycleroute.co.uk or Graham Rutt grahamrutt@doctors.org.uk
Portsmouth Cathedral is organising a ‘Cycle to Church’ Sunday on Sunday 25 June.
Contact: Cathedral Cycle Champion Hannah Thomas hthannah34@gmail.com
Peterborough Cathedral has cycle rides for everyone, taking in three of their nearby abbeys:
- Saturday 3 June a pilgrimage loop of 26 miles to Crowland Abbey and Thorney Abbey from/to Peterborough Cathedral
- Tuesday 6 to Saturday 8 June: 3 Cathedrals in 3 days: Derby-Leicester (30 miles), Leicester-Peterborough (50 miles via Launde Abbey) and Peterborough-Ely
- Saturday 10 June – Family ride to FerryMeadows, 8 miles return, off road.
Contact: Cathedral Cycle Champion Henry Laprun henry.laprun@gmail.com
Rochester Cathedral has plans to use four routes developed as walking routes by the British Pilgrimage Trust, but adaptable for bikes. They’ll be cycling a loop on Thursday 8 June which reflects the Justus Way pilgrim route from Rochester to the Friars at Aylesford and then to West Malling Abbey and back to Rochester Cathedral reflecting the Gundulph Way.
They are also planning to ride other pilgrim routes, the William of Hoo Way from Cliffe and the Ithamar Way from Upchurch at a later date and also a Saturday ride from Rochester Cathedral to Chelmsford Cathedral via the Tilbury Ferry across the Thames, returning by train, creating a new stage for the Cathedral Cycle Route.
Contact Cathedral Cycle Champion Colin Lovell cdlmedway@gmail.com
Bradford Cathedral is organising a mini-relay between Ripon, Bradford and Wakefield Cathedrals on Friday 9 June. The Ripon to Bradford route is the more challenging leg, coming in at just under 40 miles, heading through Knaresborough, Harrogate, Wetherby and Leeds. Going onward to Wakefield, this leg is 20 miles and includes riding along the beautiful Spen Valley Greenway to Dewsbury. Cyclists may join one or both stages of the ride.
Contact: Phil Lickley, Communications, Marketing and Events Officer, Bradford Cathedral philip.lickley@bradfordcathedral.org
Southwark Cathedral is promoting its Pedal Pilgrimage web pages featuring Canon Jay Colwill, their Canon Missioner, who is a keen cyclist
Contact: jay.colwill@southwark.anglican.org
More information about the brilliant Cathedrals Cycle Route can be found here.
