Dorset Cycling - A family cycle from Poole to Bournemouth

Poole Quay- Brownsea Island in the distance

Let's get this straight, I loathe riding anywhere near cars. It's an unequal battle. It's also a scandal that in this day and age so little is done to separate 2 tons of murderous machine from we soft-shelled human beings. Believe it or not, though, it's still possible to find on-road routes where you can happily cycle as a family for mile upon mile with just the barest glimpse of those blooming gas guzzlers.

The easiest of these routes takes you along the waters edge from Poole by cycle path and then along Bournemouth's magnificent six mile esplanade to Bournemouth Pier.

Next to Poole Marina
The entire trip, around 12 miles return, is a visual feast,and it's virtually flat so that even the most unfit can walk it ... er... cycle it. The esplanade's open to cycles except for the months of July and August.

Bournemouth's six miles of sandiness

We began by parking at Poole Quay and had a coffee gazing out to the silhouette of Brownsea Island shimmering in the haze. Mounting our trusty steeds we sped along the water's edge to Sandbanks finding time to laugh at the futile efforts of kite surfers and watch tiny yachts skip across the glittering waves. 

A cycle lane took us through the traffic to the beginning of Bournemouth Esplanade thronging with people taking advantage of that rarest of things, sunshine. There was a distinct tinge of California as rollerbladers shot past and joggers pounded the beach.
On reaching Bournemouth we refuelled at the conveniently situated Harry Ramsden's before returning the way we'd come.

Innovative cycle direction post

(It you fancy you can combine this with a visit to the amazing Russell-Coates Museum and Gallery not five minutes walk from the pier.
Russell-Coates Museum and Gallery

Sandbanks

Bournemouth

Return at twilight