Saddle sore

Spring is here allegedly, the Millennium Bridge is open and the bridleways are closed. So where should you go for a leisurely half-day bike ride or a day's walk if you prefer?

An obvious choice would appear to be the ten-mile route along the cycle paths to the east of York, as detailed on the City of York Millennium Cycle Route Map. Unfortunately, it turned out to be less dependable than I'd hoped.

Cycling with my daughter, Polly, seated behind me, my route out of town was along Coppergate, Pavement and The Stonebow which, while not exactly traffic-free, is nevertheless an "on road, signed cycle route" according to the map. We left the cars behind as soon as we dropped down to the Foss Islands route at the end of Hallfield Road off Layerthorpe - but only after I'd heaved my bike and its passenger over a barrier.

As we sped past budding bushes it soon felt like we were approaching the countryside. Just before the end of the cycle route we turned north, signed the Millennium Way bridleway and Bad Bargain Lane, which we reached via Meadlands. Within a few hundred yards the lane leaves suburbia and later reduces to an earthy but smooth track that takes you over the ring-road and, with a right turn, into Murton.

Here Polly, now awake, was ready for a stretch. And what better way to have one than by chasing and feeding the ducks and chickens at the Murton Park mini-theme park. Sadly - and for obvious reasons - the only other animals on show at present are baby rabbits but the Park still makes an ideal half-way house especially for those with children.

The return route began with crossing the Grimston Bar roundabout, not quite as fearsome a prospect as it may seem thanks to a cycle path around it. We turned left at the next roundabout down Field Lane and intended following the sweeping orange line (denoting a cycle path) on our map through the university from Windmill Lane but this proved impossible. Many cycle paths are signed but they don't provide the straight-forward east to west crossing that you would expect and construction work for the York Science Park further inhibited navigation. I got very lost and cross.

We eventually took the simple option and cycled along University Road past what looks like a rocket launcher and giant mushroom and under a series of bridges. Following a roundabout and a white wooden barrier we turned left and then left again at the bottom of a short hill to cycle through some trees and along a cycle path with lots of 'Slow' signs painted on it. After 200 yards we turned right over a cattle grid to cross Walmgate Stray. This path wends its way beside the high wall of The Retreat hospital and around the rear of Imphal Barracks before emerging at traffic lights with Fulford Road. We crossed over and cycled down Hospital Fields Lane and over the Millennium Bridge, returning into town via the cycleway on the west bank of the Ouse.

As part of the bridge building project, the Millennium Commission has placed several information plinths along the riverbank which make interesting reading. I found out, for instance, that Rowntree Park was given to the city in 1921 by Rowntree's as a memorial to its staff who had fallen in the Great War and that the ornate gates were donated as a memorial to those killed in the Second World War.

In front of the park gates is one of several decked platforms that jut out into the river like the bows of a boat. Perfect for doing Titantic film re-enactments if that's your thing. To your left on the opposite bank you will spot a well house which was restored as part of the Millennium Bridge project. Its gates now locked like a mini-jail, the building once housed a fountain and was designed by York's prolific Georgian architect, John Carr.

We completed the ride by cycling along Terry Avenue and past a caravan site I never knew existed until we reached Skeldergate Bridge where the welcome party awaited. A warm reception was guaranteed. They were Canada Geese and Polly still had some bread.

Click here to view a map of the ride