Good cycle routes that are mostly off road?

[TheFakawi]

Can anyone recommend some routes that we can do with the boys (8 and 6)?
They can cycle 15 miles plus but we are struggling to find good routes that are mostly off road?

Ideally we are looking for routes in East Anglia, but we travel around to relatives a lot so would appreciate suggestions elsewhere as well.

And we'd quite like to build up to something longer (and further afield) to aim for next summer.

Or perhaps you know a good book/website that lists good routes?

thanks.

WalkJogRun has bike routes on there, just click on the 'ride' button and it will filter routes for you- they might be road routes so you could try looking for trail running routes as well, but they might not be suitable (stiles, gates etc)

You could try your local council too, some have a list of suggested routes.

Is there a local mountain biking group (I realise as an East Anglia resident that we're a bit short on mountains)?

www.sustrans.org.uk/
OS map?

DH recently told me about a cycle ride in the peak district which is mainly along an old railway track, so it's flat (despite the area) and off road throughout. We're going to do it next year. Will check it's name let you know.

Thanks all.
I've ordered some maps that I found via the sustrans link.

But would appreciate some personal recommendations for favourite routes too...

racingheart - that could be my bit of the Longendale Trail ( I can see it from where I am sat - or I could if it were day light!). It goes from Hadfield to the tunnels that carried trains under the Peninnes. It's v popular and is my running route.
There's another route that uses another disused train track somewhere else in Derbyshire.

Theftford Forest? Plenty of off road routes. Rendlesham Forest? Both in E Anglian.
A trip to the Peak District well worthwhile for cycle trails: Monsal Trail, Manifold Trail, Tissington Trail - off road with fantastic scenery.

Tissington Trail is a good one in Derbyshire

Also Forest of Dean, Glos.

Strawberry Line in Cheddar

There are some nice little rides (and walks) on the AA website, although the Search function is quite poor, and generally says "There are no results for that name", instead of just giving you the nearest route [grrrr].

As a taster, here is Cannock Chase and Rutland Water. If you click on Description, it gives you a bit of information about the local history, etc.

Vertebrate Outdoor publish some very nice guidebooks. (I can also recommend the MTB guides).

I have the Peak District book, which includes all Derbyshire's "railway trails", plus some easy mountain biking. Sussex and South East England look useful, too - depending on where you live!

Try the Lea Valley? We have also done some nice routes in Yorkshire along old train lines... One near wetherby. We are very spoilt for mountain biking as we spend a lot of time in the alps. If you can have a summer holiday there you will be spoilt for choice. This weekend and closer to home we are going to herne hill velodrome. Not many mountains there either but there s an urban mountain bike track.

St Ives to Cambridge on the guided bus route?

Peddars way in Norfolk is meant to be good but I've not cycled it myself.

Tissington trail, manifold trail in the peak are both good.

Plenty of stuff in the New Forest.

Here are a few routes in the Peak District

You can cycle round Grafham Water too.

Fab. Thanks. :)

Ooh, Pan, it probably is. How long is it? You live near there? I've driven past. It is gorgeous!

If you are ever in the north west there is a good circular route around Preston in Lancashire called the Preston Guild Wheel. It's about 21 miles long and mainly (but not all) off road. There are some hilly sections and one part in particular where you might need to walk but in general it's a lovely ride that includes the nature reserve at brockholes and a long stretch of the river ribble

We've just come back from a fortnight in the Peak District and our 7yo old managed 16 miles on the Manifold Trail, 18 miles on the Monsal Trail, 2 x 7 miles on the Tissington Trail, 12 miles on the High Peak Trail, and 9 miles around Carsington Water. They're all extremely good surfaces and very, very flat. Brilliant site with free downloadable maps here