Ryan

Hello. I am Ryan and along with my wife Beth and our two children Matilda and Barney, we love all things cycling and exploring. We spend our weekends exploring fun places to cycle and discover and wanted to help other people do the same too. There's no better way to travel than via bike and it's an amazing activity for the whole family to enjoy.

Free Public Play Areas Within the Leeds District

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Springhead Park Rothwell

Leeds boasts various free outdoor play parks, from sprawling country parks with adventure playgrounds to hidden neighbourhood gems. Below is an overview of some of the best free public play areas in the Leeds (LS) postcode region, followed by detailed descriptions for each.

As a Wakefield-based family who were originally based in both North & South Leeds, we love to explore the free public play areas within the West Yorkshire area. The recurring theme with all the recommended parks is that they are completely free of charge and are open to the public.

We have chosen a breadth of options located within a 10-mile radius of the city centre, so they appeal to all families within the district.

We will continue to work through more extensive reviews of every park so you can get the lowdown before visiting. We understand that people’s interests are very different, so by giving you the insight before visiting, you can see if the park is right for you. It’s also worth noting that this is not an exhaustive list but should give you some ideas. If you have any to contribute, please feel free to comment. It’s appreciated.

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Trail View Campsite Review For Families

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Trail View Campsite Review For Families

Trail View is a small, friendly campsite nestled between Ashbourne and Buxton, overlooking the scenic Tissington Trail. It’s a great spot for families who love cycling, walking, and wide-open countryside. The site offers a mix of electric and non-electric pitches, including some hardstanding options for caravans and motorhomes.

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Carsington Water Review For Families

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Carsington Water Review For Families

We spent the May Bank holiday weekend in the Derbyshire Dales, enjoying everything they have to offer. From the fantastic town of Ashbourne, the cycle haven of the Tissington Trail, right through to a trip to Carsington Water, which has been on our list for some time. It certainly didn’t disappoint.
We camped around 25 minutes away from Carsington, and it was the type of place which persuaded us to start camping. A little too far from home for a day trip, but perfect for a weekend away camping.

If you’re camping nearby or just passing through Derbyshire, Carsington Water is a fantastic destination for a family day out.

Whether you want to cycle, walk, play, or just relax with an ice cream while taking in the view, it’s got you covered. Although we had our bikes with us, we’d done the Tissington Trail the day prior, so we decided to spend our time enjoying the park and taking a leisurely stroll.

We’ll definitely be back, and the bikes will certainly be off the car next time!

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Active Travel vs Road Spending in the UK

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Active Travel vs Road Spending UK

When it comes to transport infrastructure, much of the UK’s policy and spending has been based on a simple but flawed idea: more roads mean more economic opportunity. Yet growing evidence shows that investing in active travel — cycling and walking — delivers far greater returns (1).

In the early years of car use, it was clear to see the economic benefits of more roads. More distance can be covered, opportunities widen, and the economy expands. But is that still the case,  and do they lead to a better quality of life?

Today, we examine how active travel outperforms traditional road investment in economic outputs like retail spending, employment, health savings, and productivity and why it’s time to rethink how we measure success. Traditionally, any budget for Active Travel has been measured via non-economic outputs (environment, quality of life), whereas roads have been measured purely by economic output.

Recently, governments’ research studies have started to measure active travel measures via their economic output. The data is compelling, yet budgets are tiny vs road budgets. Why is this? Is it purely because change is difficult? Let’s examine the economic potential of active travel. 

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Yarrow Valley Country Park Review For Families

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Yarrow Valley Country Park

We recently spent a sunny weekend at Yarrow Valley Country Park in Chorley – and what a hidden gem it is! We were meeting family who were on a family holiday and making their way to the Lake District. This was a perfect plot on the route to meet. We made the trip over the Pennines, and fortunately, Yarrow Valley Country Park was worth the visit.

With free parking, beautiful walks, waterfalls, a lake, cycling routes, and a great play area, it’s perfect for families like ours looking for an easy, affordable outdoor adventure. On this particular trip we didn’t take our bikes as we were meeting family, but we plan another trip soon to sample the Bike routes.

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Wilton Lodge Park, Hawick Review For Families

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Wilton Lodge Park, Hawick

Wilton Lodge Park in Hawick, Scottish Borders, is a gem for families seeking outdoor fun. In the February half term, we had a trip to the Scottish Borders and having previously visited (and loved) this park, we decided to venture back. It was June last time we visited (2021, hence the kids looking much smaller!). But fortunately, even though it was February, the weather played ball!

This 107-acre park, protected as a Fields in Trust green space since 2019, offers a blend of adventure, history, and natural beauty, making it a perfect stop for your family. It’s perhaps one of the most beautiful and well-kept parks we’ve been to, especially given its central location within the town.

Let’s dive into the details to help you plan your visit.

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Balance Bike Vs Stabilisers – Which is best?

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Balance Bike vs Stabilisers

Teaching your child to ride a bike is a significant milestone, and the method you choose can greatly influence their confidence and enjoyment. Everything from the place you choose to teach them how to ride their bike, right through to the bike choice. These all influence the speed of the outcome.

While stabilisers (training wheels) have been the traditional route, balance bikes are increasingly recognised, and evidence supports that they are a vastly superior alternative.

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Center Parcs Review For Families

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Center Parcs Review For Families

There’s a long-running joke about the cost of Center Parcs. A trip there can sometimes feel like you’re paying obscene prices for a trip a couple of hours away from home. 

But here’s the truth we’ve discovered: when approached in the right way, Center Parcs can be one of the best-value short breaks for outdoorsy families—especially those with young cyclists in tow who happen to love swimming and parks. 

Table of Contents

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Commuting to Primary School: Walking vs Cycling vs Park & Stride vs Car

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Commuting To Primary School

There are a whole host of different ways people commute to Primary school. Whether that’s our own preference for walking and cycling or driving, people have their own reasons for a specific journey type.

But the way you commute to school can have a huge impact on the overall health outcomes of you and the wider society. It’s not a straightforward topic to tackle yet there are ways it can be a balancing act between practicality, health and the environment.

Let’s explore four common ways families commute: walking, cycling, park and stride, and driving. We’ll provide insights, backed by research, to help you find and potentially make small changes which can have far-reaching benefits.

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How to Get Into Cycling – How Do Beginners Start?

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Resistance Training & Cycling

Cycling can look daunting as a beginner and the thought of getting started with something new can feel uncomfortable. You are not alone and this is completely human and this is how you should feel. But let me let you in on a secret. Cycling for leisure is actually incredibly easy, can be done in your own time at your own pace and is super rewarding! 

If you’re thinking of giving cycling a go, but the idea of getting on a bike feels daunting, you’re not alone. At Family Cycling, our approach is simple, relaxed, and down-to-earth. We’re not chasing Strava segments or racking up miles (But if you do this it’s totally fine too!).

We’re about getting outdoors, building confidence, and using the humble bike as a tool for joy, connection, and adventure. Whether that’s taking your kids to school, heading down to the shops or just a recreational activity on a weekend. Bikes are arguably the most effective mode of transportation known to man. 

So, how do you get started with cycling – especially as an adult? Here’s our step-by-step guide on how to get started with some simple hints and tips for those who feel apprehensive about taking the initial step. 

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