Enjoy national picnic month
July’s ‘National Picnic Month’ is upon us and there’s no better way to enjoy sunshine, scenery and great food and company, than with your bike!
Riding on the back of the recent Jubilee celebrations, Britain’s love affair with al fresco get togethers continues and with school holidays just around the corner, now is the time to start planning your next picnic!
With exorbitant petrol and diesel prices we are encouraging people to visit their local beauty spots for a picnic on their doorstep; and of course, we are suggesting you take your favourite two-wheeled companion for a family bike ride too!
As inflation hits a 40-year high, people can save precious pennies on travelling too far away and so pop your bikes on the rack and look for a cycling route and picnic spot that’s a bit closer to home this year. With so much on our doorsteps, you won’t be short of inspiration and if you are stuck, you can always head to websites such as Visit Britain or the National Trust for some top tips!
Don’t forget to pack the all-important picnic too! Whether it’s traditional sandwiches, sausage rolls, pies and scotch eggs - or increasingly popular Tapas-style snacks – the fact that the average cyclist burns 450 – 750 calories per hour in the saddle, means that pedalling as part of your picnic adventure makes it a healthier activity than ever before so you can be excused for tucking into that extra sausage roll!
MD of Pendle Bike Racks, Chris Smith, says: “When it comes to picnics, cycling is a great way to really make a fun day of it for all the family and all ages.
“The nation’s love of picnics has thrived over the last 100 years and the current glorious weather means that picnic blankets are set to be rolled up and rolled out all over the country this summer.”
As well as the coast and countryside, town and city destinations have amazing parks, lakes and gardens that can provide an affordable and enjoyable day out for those in urban areas.
Here are our Top 5 Tips on how to make the most of a picnic adventure:
Decide where to spend your picnic – whether you aim to travel five miles or 50 miles, plan your journey in advance. The UK has a network of cycle paths that make journeying safer and often offer shortcuts through beautiful countryside.
Invite people to join you – now is the time to look beyond lockdown and encourage family, friends, neighbours and even work colleagues to bring their own picnics and join you.
Activities – to raise the fun factor, you could organise summer games to play at your picnic. Your bike pump can be used to inflate an easy to pack football, whilst a frisbee can fit in any backpack.
Safety first – BBQs can be tempting, but heatwaves make the UK’s woodland and meadowland dry and vulnerable to fire risk. Stick to sandwiches, snacks and salads and you can’t go wrong!
Keep Britain tidy – always remember to dispose of your rubbish responsibly and use sustainable packaging options where possible.