The solar system cycle path near York offers excellent family biking, the route runs for 10 km from the outskirts of the city of York off road through the Yorkshire countryside.
Family Cycling on the Original Sustrans Trail
The first cycle route to be constructed by Sustrans, the solar system cycle path, national cycle route number 65, is a scale model of the solar system which is laid out over 10 kilometers of disused railway line. The route starts on the outskirts of York with a model of the sun and continues past models of all the major planets to reach Pluto around 10 km later near the village of Riccall.
The scale of the model is 575,872,239 : 1, meaning that every meter cycled along the route is equivalent to 57 million kilometers in space. Not only are the planets laid out to scale along the path, but their relative size is also to scale, giving children and adults alike an insight into the huge size difference between say the mass of the sun and the relatively small dwarf planet of Pluto. The sun's model has a diameter of 2417mm whereas Pluto's is a mere 5.9mm.
Starting along the path at first the planets are reached in rapid succession, Mercury and Venus are within easy sight of each other. This end of the path is popular with other users and can be quite busy, further along the route the planets are, of course, spaced much further apart, the views across the surrounding countryside open up and the path becomes less busy as the urban centre of York is left behind.
Access to Family Biking on the Solar System Cycle Path
The solar system cycle path starts on the outskirts of York. It is possible to link the solar system path to the other cycle routes leading into York city centre. There is a car park at Askham Bogs on the A136 just under 1km from the start of the solar system route. A cycle path links the car park and the start of the route.
The solar system path is a tarmac surface from the sun to the car parking at the old Eserick station near Neptune. The route from Neptune to Pluto is on an ash surface.
On road car parking is available in the village of Riccall at the Pluto end of the path.
Cycle hire is available in York.
Items of Interest Along the Solar System Cycle Path
As well as the models of the planets there are other objects to look out for on the solar system route.
Naburn bridge, about 2 km along from the sun, is an old steam opening bridge over the river Ouse. The bridge is now adorned by the impressive Fisher of Dreams sculpture, a wire construction depicting a figure and dog fishing in the river Ouse, but catching a train. Funded by the Millennium Lottery Commission and produced by a local artist the Fisher of Dreams sculpture was erected in 2001.
A scale model of the Cassini space probe was placed alongside the route in 2007 to celebrate 10 years since the probe left Cape Canaveral on its mission to Saturn. The model of the probe can be seen on the Naburn Station section, near, of course, the model of Saturn.
If cycling as a family interest may be added and knowledge gained by printing off a quiz which can be followed along the route. There are also several geocaches en route.
Further information and quizzes can be found at cycle the solar system
Jane Hodgson - physiobench.com/physios/2/Jane-Hodgson I'm co owner of Physiobench, a web based physiotherapy (physical therapy) practice. We're ...
Join the Conversation