Launching during Bike Week 2021 is the Cathedrals Cycle Route, taking you nearly 2,000 miles across England’s landscape between 42 cathedrals

Long-distance cycle routes in the UK have become hugely popular in recent years and it doesn’t come much longer than this one: the Cathedrals Cycle Route (The CCR), stretching nearly 2,000 miles across England’s landscape.

Whichever English cathedral you visit this year, you will be able to arrive by bike thanks to a unique partnership between Cycling UK, the British Pilgrimage Trust, Sustrans and the Association of English Cathedrals that will link every Church of England cathedral in a new initiative to promote greener travel and mental and physical wellbeing. It is hoped that the route will be extended to other nations of the UK in the future.

Bike Week is an annual awareness raising week to celebrate everything that is great about cycling. Running from 30 May to 5 June 2021, it inspires the UK to get cycling. For all those who head out for a ride during the week if they log their ride via the Bike Week website there is a chance to win some awesome prizes.

There are many ways to complete this route, both on-road and off-road, but however you arrive at a Cathedral you will be welcomed.  Each cathedral will carry a CCR stamp and cycle ribbon to collect. Medals will be available to purchase for each cathedral-to-cathedral section (with all profits going to charity). A coveted CCR Finishers Medal is available to all those who have completed the full 42 cathedrals (CCR passport or ribbon collections may be required).

Officially the route starts at England's most northerly cathedral, Newcastle, and from there winds its way around the country, taking in history and natural beauty at each leg of the journey.

The days range from panoramic hill views, lakes, river and canal rides to quiet country back lanes and bustling cities. Cyclists aren’t expected to ride all 42 cathedrals in one go, although the "42 cathedrals in 42 days" relay challenge is planned to become an annual event! Most cyclists will be tempted by the cathedral-to-cathedral day trips, with almost all destinations benefiting from train services allowing point to point journeys.

Each cathedral is aiming to appoint a dedicated cycle champion to improve the cycle-readiness of their buildings, ensuring a warm welcome for visiting cyclists.  We are delighted that our cycle champions are Revd Canon Jay Colwill, Canon Missioner and Richard Malins a member of our congregation and Friends of Southwark Cathedral.

To find out more about the Cathedrals Cycle Route challenge visit the Bike Week website here where you can find all the suggested routes including St Paul's Cathedral to Southwark Cathedral and Southwark to Rochester Cathedral.