Lost Lanes Central is the fifth in the series by Jack Thurston, a writer and cycling campaigner, where he shares cycling routes round the Midlands and beyond, which embrace the beauty of the lanes abandoned by drivers rushing to get from A to B.

The cover is tastefully illustrated by Andrew Pavitt, and nearly every page features Thurston’s own skilled photography of the sweeping vistas, ancient holloways or urban cycleways that you can expect to come across on the 36 routes detailed in the book. He begins with a heartfelt ode to the hidden-in-plain-sight nooks and crannies of the English countryside, with descriptive detail not unlike Tolkien’s, so within seconds of opening the book I was excited to get out on a ride.

Following the introduction of the Lost Lanes concept, he goes on to explain some sensible and considerate bicycling practicalities, and he appears careful to guide everyone from families with young children to lycra clad sport cyclists on how to have a safe and enjoyable trip. Thurston’s knowledge and passion for sharing this way of life shine throughout the book but are particularly evident in the route description chapters. These are intensely well researched, with interesting details on topics ranging from the Gravelly Hill Interchange (Spaghetti Junction to you and me!) to the cider heritage of Herefordshire. These sections focus on a general description of the route, rather than a turn-by-turn navigational guide because, as Thurston explains, the book isn’t designed to be taken out with us, instead we should download the GPX file onto a compatible mobile app. This is straightforward, but even with his warnings, is promoting mobile-based navigation a good idea?

I don’t think this review could do the book justice if I didn’t use it as intended, so this morning I wheeled my trusty steed out of the shed and got going. Conveniently, route number 19, ‘Escape Velocity’ from Birmingham to Warwick via Stratford-Upon-Avon, passes close to my house along the Rea Valley Cycleway, so I chose to follow this “moderate” 46-mile route as my first foray into the lost lanes of Worcestershire and Warwickshire. I set off on my ultra-heavy, slightly rubbish commuter bike with very limited gearing in the late morning, and within minutes I was whisked away into a luscious green tunnel of leaves and the noise and stress of the Pershore Road was behind me.

I had been sceptical of Thurston’s promise of escape, how could there be any lost lanes anywhere near this city dominated by Ubers and modified hatchbacks? But, after barely 20 minutes along NCN 55, I turned up Primrose Hill and the traffic noise diminished. From here I peacefully sailed away into Worcestershire, but not before a swift half of the aptly named ‘Slow Lane Pale Ale’ at the Coach and Horses, one of the books recommended establishments.

Thirst successfully quenched, I weaved my way round empty lanes all the way to Stratford, stopping occasionally to appreciate the quiet with only the odd aggressive driver. It takes a rather circuitous route into Shakespeare’s town, and it was here where I struggled with navigation, but before long I was out the other side and back onto the lost lanes. By this point, despite being quite an experienced cyclist of reasonable fitness, I was starting to get quite tired, and I was glad I hadn’t decided to tackle one of the more challenging rides in the book. Despite my fatigued legs, the last few miles into Warwick passed quickly and it wasn’t long before my bike and I were safely packed onto the train back to Birmingham.

All in all, I had a great day out. By following Thurston’s guidance, it is possible to escape the noise and connect with the nature that surrounds us. His sensible guidance wonderfully facilitates the move from cautious CenterParcs cyclist to competent explorer of the beautiful British countryside.

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