In an exclusive interview with Olympic cycling legend Sir Chris Hoy, we find out how a local bike ride inspired his lifelong love affair with the bicycle.

From family-friendly saunters, through waterside and urban rides, to offroad excursions – and from Bath to the Isle of Arran – our 24-page supplement tells you about how to get there, what to see, the terrain and gradients, and those all-important watering holes, whether you're after ice-cream and cupcakes or real ale and pub grub.

If you fancy a taste of the UK's best waterside rides, we've a great 38-mile roundtrip from Derry's river Foyle, via Lough Swilly in Northern Ireland, and a leisurely tour around Cardiff Bay.

On our heritage-themed – and flat – ride from Cambridge to the National Trust's oldest nature reserve, there's the option of lunch made by a Masterchef finalist along the way.

And if urban adventure appeals, Watermead country park in Leicester offers glimpses into the ice age, the industrial age and the space age; picnic in a glorious wildlife corridor or munch lunch beside a steam railway.

Alternatively, saddle up for longer and journey between two great cities, London and Paris, along peaceful greenways.

With a word from Olympic gold-medal cyclist Chris Boardman, and a tale of family adventure from columnist Bibi van der Zee, we've all you need to inspire a summer in the saddle, come rain or shine.