GCN's Hometown Rides: Hank’s Very English Bike Ride

James Lowsley-Williams, better known as Hank, grew up cycling around the South-West of England, in and around the town of Tetbury. Join him as he takes you on a trip down memory lane, cycling past royal houses, beautiful countryside and stunning english villages. And it wouldn't be a quintessential english bike ride without some bad weather, right?
Check out the route on Komoot 👉 gcn.eu/HankRideRoute
Useful Links:
Ride with us at the Global Bike Festival: gcn.eu/GBF2023
Adventure Documentaries, Exclusive Shows & Live Racing on GCN+: gcn.eu/plus
Download the GCN App for free: gcn.eu/app
Visit the GCN Shop: gcn.eu/BlackFriday2022
Join the GCN Club: www.gcnclub.com/
Where's your favourite bike ride? Let us know in the comments!👇
Watch more on GCN...
📹 GCN's Big Autumn Bike Ride 👉 • Gravel Vs Road | GCN's...
📹 Watch our Editor’s Choice Playlist 👉 gcn.eu/editorschoice
📹 Or why not check out our Features Playlist 👉 ​​gcn.eu/gcnfeatures
🎵 Music - licensed by Epidemic Sound 🎵
A Fool Again (Instrumental Version) - Daniel Gunnarsson
Acoustic Ornaments - Codey Randall
Biggest Guy in Division Five - Bonkers Beat Club
Bruiser - Bonkers Beat Club
Crazy like That - Lofive
Desert Drive - Garrett Inigo
Fast Track - Jimmy Wahlsteen
Good World Gone Bad (Wildside Remix) - Splasher!
On the Trail - Tigerblood Jewel
Seaside Junction - Jimmy Wahlsteen
Smores - oomiee
Spill It - Auxjack
Vertex - Marten Moses
Weather Any Storm (Instrumental Version) - Cody Francis
#gcn #cycling #roadbike #epicride #countryside #bikeride
Photos: © Velo Collection (TDW) / Getty Images & © Bettiniphoto / www.bettiniphoto.net/
The Global Cycling Network (GCN) is the largest online cycling channel in the world, bringing together a global community of road cyclists to celebrate everything that’s great about the world of cycling.
Our videos bring fans compelling daily content including expert tutorials, techniques, training, racing, cutting-edge bike tech, unparalleled behind the scenes event coverage, humour, entertainment, and more.
Presented by ex-pro riders, GCN offers a uniquely qualified insight into the world of cycling, and most importantly it’s fuelled by our passionate and enthusiastic fans - everyone who makes up the GCN community. We also bring the latest and greatest tech to your attention, showcase the best places in the world to ride and get exclusive access to events and races.
Welcome to the Global Cycling Network | Inside Cycling
Thanks to our sponsors:
Castelli Clothing: gcn.eu/Castelli
Giro Helmets: gcn.eu/Giro
Pinarello Bikes: gcn.eu/Pinarello
Zipp Wheels: gcn.eu/Zipp
Topeak Tools: gcn.eu/Topeak
Canyon Bikes: gcn.eu/-Canyon
Pirelli Tyres: gcn.eu/Pirelli
Orbea Bikes: gcn.eu/Orbea
Vision Wheels: gcn.eu/Vision
Wahoo Fitness: gcn.eu/Wahoo-Fitness
Park Tool: gcn.eu/-parktool
Elite Bottles: gcn.eu/EliteBottles
Whoop Fitness: gcn.eu/Whoop
Komoot: gcn.eu/komoot
Selle Italia: gcn.eu/SelleItalia
SIS: gcn.eu/ScienceInSport
Zwift: gcn.eu/Zwift
Shimano Wheels: gcn.eu/Shimano
Shadow Stand: gcn.eu/ShadowStand
DMT Shoes: gcn.eu/DMT
Muc-Off: gcn.eu/MucOff
Watch our sister channels:
GCN Tech - / gcntech
GCN Racing - / gcnracing
Global Triathlon Network - / gtn
GCN Italia - / gcnitalia
GCN en Español - / gcnenespanol
GCN auf Deutsch - / gcnaufdeutsch
GCN en Français - / gcnenfrancais
GCN Japan - / gcnjapan
GCN Training - / gcntraining
Global Mountain Bike Network - / gmbn
GMBN Tech - / gmbntech
Electric Mountain Bike Network - / embn

[@gcn]

Where's your favourite bike ride? Let us know in the comments!👇

[@citternboy]

Over the rolling hills of the Borders with the Hawick Cycling club, (Oldest club in Scotland maybe the UK 1881) from Hawick to Peebles. There's an Idea for a series. Great ride Hank.

[@ShawnIsBatman]

I would love to see a 'home rides' series from all of the GCN presenters!

[@robertmoir7359]

Great idea

[@steamerAE]

Me too

[@TomasFUJ]

Yes please!

[@happymystic9800]

Great idea.

[@fabioqueiros9322]

And some former ones? Matt’s and Emma’s would be bangers, for sure

[@Verysimpleyetverydifficult]

I don’t know what’s happened at GCN - but the content has suddenly improved! Lots of great videos, not just info-mercials. Keep it coming please!

[@gcn]

Thanks Neil! Glad you're enjoying them!

[@markusmencke8059]

Hank: “beautiful cows” Simon: “*shriek*” 😉

[@renaissancestrings9264]

Hank's ride of nostalgia has inspired me to create a ride like this of my own. Thanks Hank, and of course everyone at GCN.

[@chivacetana]

I wouldn’t want to ride trough my home town.

[@gcn]

That's great! What are you including on your home town ride? 👀

[@Cycling-through-cancer]

I’m very fortunate to live in Malmesbury and ride these lanes most days. I’ve met Hank a few times and he is exactly as he appears on GCN, a very friendly, likeable and enthusiastic bloke. Great video

[@gcn]

You're a Lucky chap Gareth! It's an amazing part of the world 🙌

[@throx]

That is a truly beautiful Pinarelli thingy on the wall. Also love Hank videos. :D

[@stevenss8070]

Nice idea. Show us the nice places, where you ride, where you live, your backyard, the little nice places we can/could explore. Thanks Hank.

[@gcn]

Glad you enjoyed it Steven 🙌

[@curtvaughan2836]

Really enjoy these down to earth sorts of features, showing sides of the cycling experience other than just the go-fast, competitive style. The majority of cyclists don't race or necessarily worry about going as fast as possible. Even ex-pros and amateur racers, as they get older, eventually need this sort of topic to motivate them to keep riding regularly. I also enjoy watching races and pros in big races such as the Grand Tours and major classics, but a Sunday morning watching something like this is refreshing.

[@gcn]

Great stuff Curt! Glad you enjoyed this one, will you be trying the route? 👀

[@curtvaughan2836]

@@gcn These days, at 70 years of age, my riding involves mostly sight seeing/exploring my local environment, combined with enough intensity to get good health benefits, keeping my heart rate into aerobic zones, with enough hills to edge into peak. But my routes take me along semi-rural areas, enjoying the scenery. I sometimes pass a local BMX track, and watch kids ages 4-14 do some racing (wishing they'd had BMX when I was a kid). When I occasionally travel, I ride through some areas I lived when I was younger, as a kid and young adult. Lived in England for a year as an 8 year old, in Glossup. Your feature brought back memories.

[@gcn]

@@curtvaughan2836 Great riding Curt 🙌

[@007bigrob]

I cycled from Nuneaton to Tetbury summer 1983 when I left school,loved every minute of it.

[@jackofharts94]

This is the first GCN video i've seen in a while with rim brakes

[@chrisridesbicycles]

Love how well fitted the old team bike is to Hank. The pedal stroke is almost as beautiful as the landscape. Let‘s make this hometown rides an international GCN series and look at the home roads of the other language presenters.

[@iainmurray3506]

Awesome video GCN. We are extremely lucky in the UK to have such beautiful countryside's and scenery. Just makes me want to head out on my bike today 🚲

[@EtO124]

Weather could be better 😅

[@troycollett8540]

I love how quiet the backroads are

[@gcn]

Go do it, never a bad time for a bike ride 🙌

[@user-dz3ik8kw8b]

GCN on rim breaks finally they back

[@francesstager997]

FANTASTIC!! Thank you, Hank! I feel like I've been on a short Holiday!!

[@stevepatrick6862]

These are my roads too. I do love living and riding in the Cotswolds. Nice little video guys.

[@RobertAArgo]

I really enjoyed watching this-one of the better GCN videos. Hank and whoever filmed this did a great job and should be proud.

[@gcn]

Thanks Robert 🙌

[@lingodingobat]

Love this video. This is where I grew up, all my local roads too, still here now. Nice reminder of just how beautiful this area is :)

[@frankharradence732]

Great video...will be doing this route next spring. Love the Bike shop/cafe must stop off there for a coffee.

[@georgegarnerable]

This route passes where I live - I’ll definitely be using this 💪🏻 Ride 24/7 is also my local - great shop!

[@jackzagorski7897]

What a beautiful place for a bike ride. Absolutely stunning! Thanks for sharing Hank!😊

[@gcn]

Looks amazing right 👀

[@MrEric5452]

I love countryside, it let me take a break and have some fresh air.

[@SeeLizGo]

This is my all-time favorite GCN video. Please do more like this!!!!

[@gcn]

Thanks Liz! Glad you liked it

[@maevethegreat6610]

If Hank was a tour guide, I would be hanging onto his every word. If he was a history teacher, I’d get perfect marks on all my tests. This was such a beautiful and well made video. The views, the route, the stops, the history and background you have as you rode around were so informative and amazing. Thank you so much for sharing this amazing journey in your hometown and showing us around!

[@gcn]

No worries Maeve! Not sure we'd get much done if hank was a teacher 🤣

[@Cyclingbrad]

I lived in Dursley last year and rode most of these roads in this video, having moved back up north I miss these roads so much!

[@Philatlondon1]

I grew up in Minchinhampton at the top of the W. It's also my favourite Cotswold climb. My parents now live in Tetbury and I love heading back to ride some of the roads Hank did.

[@ceftx2375]

Wow...just wow. What an absolutely great, beautiful place to grow up. Thanks, Hank, for showing it off!!! Come on, now, get that KOM back from Feather!

[@gcn]

We'll need to set up the GCN leadout train!

[@hackfabrication139]

5:32 'Beautiful cows! (Insert image of Simon's terrified face). What a scenic ride!

[@billcheney3487]

Great video! From here in the States, it’s always great to see your UK scenery. But the personal touch brought by this video really “takes the cake” as we say. And whatever a “flat white” is I guess. 😊

[@VIBorgia]

That's exactly what I needed on that rainy moody sunday. Such simple and feel good video.

[@askherbs]

I’ve been fortunate enough to have been The Cotswolds despite being from a country thousands of miles away from England. Walking along that idyllic place is wonderful enough, but cycling along such a historic place is a different experience altogether.

[@chrisbaum998]

Enjoyed watching your Home Town ride Hank!!

[@thomasball1933]

Always surprised how much your England looks like my Maryland. From my Severn River to your Severn River. Tom from Annapolis, MD.

[@jeffreywilliams3646]

Love the paint job on the dogma. Oh, hey, Ollie, there's a KOM for you to pursue.

[@johndutson4971]

Cotswold Sheep must be very special to have fur instead of wool, great vid Hank, more please from all of the GCN presenters

[@peterthomas8053]

😂 Yeah I spotted the 'fur' comment also, so funny, but I suppose that's just Hank.

[@nerigarcia7116]

So lucky to have such beautiful roads to ride. I live in the concrete jungle of Southern CA. I have a BMC Team Machine the same color as that Dogma, love it.

[@bubblesezblonde]

Enjoyed the vid, Son-of-Hank's-Dad. An excellent tour of your ancestral and modern haunts. (Mine would be on gravel and I plan to make such a tour before I die.) I enjoyed all the camerawork also. I hope all the presenters do tours like this. 5:00 Even with cloud cover, this was lovely.

[@gcn]

Glad you liked this one🙌

[@KarlosEPM]

Beautiful route. Thanks for sharing!

[@The_Cotswold_Cyclist]

Lovely to see some of my favourite local roads on here. Love the W out of Nailsworth, brilliant climb!!!

[@VH5150BAZ]

Thanks for showing my doorstep ride, lucky to live here

[@adamcoatham]

Enjoyed watching this from my own corner of the Cotswolds - specifically living right in the very north-east top corner of the Cotswolds AONB in a village called Tysoe. We’re lucky to have roads like these as our local haunts!

[@gcn]

At our Bath HQ we're lucky to have so many great riding areas on our doorstep!

[@PK-qq1lz]

Just great, Hank! You are such a sympatic guy! Thank you for sharing that.

[@Z-u-m-a]

Loved that Hank. Brilliant.

[@craighoover1495]

Thank you! Most enjoyable, especially to see the obvious joy of the presenter in sharing this.

[@claudebonneville7650]

Fantastic! Full of affection for bike ride!!

[@lwittrock1]

The Dogma is one bike I'd absolutely love to own and ride every single day, rain or shine!!

[@thepie4052]

A gorgeous part of the country, thanks for sharing it Hank.

[@GOLTEB]

Beautiful place to ride your bike, thanks for sharing it with us Hank.

[@01FozzyS]

Beautiful area you have,Hank! Thanks for sharing!

[@karlr6810]

Nicely done, thanks for sharing your hometown with us, Hank.

[@phillipstivi3947]

Thanks Hank,was really lovely to see the views, the route, the stops, the history. Absolutely beautiful!

[@gregvassilakos]

Thanks for sharing, Hank!

[@murtheblur33]

Great video - loved the riding, the views, and getting a little history too. Thanks for sharing your home roads Hank!

[@edwardmccall8219]

Beautiful countryside! Love it.

[@peanutbutter604]

I love to cycle on country lanes 🚲 Awesome video 👏👏👏

[@gcn]

Country lanes are the best! 💪

[@reubendando6537]

I grew up in the same place as Hank, I absolutely love this video, would love to see more of this❤️❤️

[@MrJimbo0298]

Thank you, Hank! That was a great video tour of your hometown.

[@BabyBooHoot]

Thanks for doing this ride Hank. I also love traveling around the uk in my motorhome and i have never been to the cotswolds yet, you got me thinking about my 2024 tour in the mh that is.

[@333wheeler]

Got its own sort of identity the Cotswolds .. Coming in from the North its always tougher climbing out of Winchcombe on to it rather than from the south.. Great place names like Upper and Lower Slaughter scattered about.. Nice sticky mud as well if you get brave and venture off road :0

[@geraintjones6401]

Beautiful route and superb spot for a coffee stop-off. Interesting how familiar roads are key to memories of periods of our lives and themselves become part of our history. Thanks for sharing, great video.

[@aghorn]

Thanks very much for the video. Though I lives in the States, my immediate roots are British, and I have cycled through the Cotswolds, through towns Bourton-on-the-Water and Broadway among others. Loved seeing this. It’s cycling heaven. Much of the English countryside is cycling heaven.

[@gcn]

We think so too!

[@SukritGoel]

Really enjoyed this bike ride - thanks for documenting!

[@scottjones9362]

It was good to see Hank presenting a solo video. He is very relatable. He wears his sunglasses wrong but it's that wrongness that makes him relatable 😎😎😎😎

[@gcn]

Hahaha how should he wear them? 👀

[@brianridley1102]

Fantastic episode, too often the rides can be just about who or what is the fastest. Great to see this with Hank really showing a different side and giving a great overview of the area. GCN touring series ?

[@yeungline]

It's so nice to see a gcn presenter to ride a rim brake bike😍

[@lunathedog3924]

WHAT a amazing classic looking bike! awesome

[@FreshAyers]

Loved this from Hank. Sharing some of his local riding routes. I think it should inspire other GCN presenters to take their own trips down memory lane and share them with us. More of the same please. 😊🚴‍♂

[@gcn]

Good idea!

[@eccehomer8182]

As a Dursley lad I've ridden Chavenage Lane and the Kingscote valley many a time. I once passed Hank on Chavenage Lane... he was in his Barbour and wellies! I've done all these lanes, it's a super area to ride. By the way... talking whilst going up the steep part of The W...!

[@raff5604]

Love this video!!!!! Watched it three times already. Great job Hank and Thank you.

[@gcn]

Our pleasure! Glad you enjoyed it

[@jabehauber]

I think we need more chainline shots like at 9:02. That's pretty cool mechanical artistry, tbh.

[@ianstewart8301]

Loved this! More please

[@renry14]

Loving these local Ride videos. Great work GCN. More of the same please

[@dorydiavelone3531]

Love the Dogma !!!

[@MrLuigi-oi7gm]

Beautiful video. ❤❤❤

[@geoffreyhoney122]

Absolutely love this content! Great concept! Thanks Hank and gcn for taking us along on such a wonderful ride! Makes me look at my own memory lane too. This is inspirational! I needed this!

[@gcn]

Let us know of you do the same for your local rides 🙌

[@manuelamichaela811]

The beautiful scenery of southwest England and authentic weather 😂 poor James and team GCN but great stamina 👏👏👏

[@ChrisGuarraia]

Thanks for this, Hank and GCN! It really is a lovely ride. With all these great videos, you are giving me more and more places I would love to visit and experience on two wheels.

[@gcn]

Amazing! We love hearing how we inspire people to ride more!

[@magicknight8412]

Did a sportive in the cotswolds earlier in the year, such a beautiful place to ride around with all the picturesque villages and scenery.

[@gcn]

It's such a good place to ride. We are lucky to have it on our doorstep 🙌

[@JonathanWright1978]

My home roads! Absolutely awesome place to ride a bike

[@jimdelong987]

WOW, beautiful!

[@SmellyStains]

Best Hank video ever

[@katscraft]

It was really lovely to see a local cycling route, I am also in the South West UK. I would love to see more south UK riding routes. That Pinarello dogma, let's just say highly visible, must be safer to use on the road than other colours. Thank you for the video.

[@nealhooker]

Beautiful ride, thanks for taking us along

[@SneakingMilk]

Love riding around Tetbury, some really rapid country roads and lanes!

[@pshar8674]

Amazing work Hank and of course, amazing production by GCN. So interesting to understand where you've come from, feels like a little snippet of your autobiography if you were ever going to do one 🤣

[@gcn]

Don't temp him 😬

[@brannmacfinnchad9056]

Love it. More hometown rides from the Presenters, please!

[@n22pdf]

Wow beautiful roads and scenery love the Cotswolds 😊 Will have to try this route one day.. amazing 👍🚴🤩🏅

[@ianc61]

I recognise many of those roads from my riding. Also enjoy the climb up the W.

[@throughthewindow4894]

It's scenery like that that make me want to go out and ride. You're so lucky to have that as your ride.

[@petinka721]

Super great video! Really enjoyed the views!

[@alinapopescu872]

Easily the most enjoyable kind of video ❣❤❤❤

[@gcn]

Thanks! Glad you liked it

[@gregweever5895]

That’s an awesome ride. I’d love to go ride that with the GCN crew. Love the cycling atmosphere over there

[@youtubeuser2372]

Good old memories.......for ever !

[@abcdefg8134]

Enjoyed that cheers

[@jasonbannan4024]

More please from GCN on the rides within their beautiful country.

[@JIMMYHIBBS1]

Nice video - makes me want to go and visit some of my old training roads - but also makes me think about what my current training roads are … building memories !!

[@ttoussaint]

Gorgeous!

[@joshaalders3029]

Absolutely love this! Thank you for taking us on that journey!

[@gcn]

Our pleasure!

[@josepalomar3269]

More hometown series please!

[@ralvesco]

What a beautiful place