Everyday Adventures photography competition
Throughout the summer we asked amateur photographers to send us their best photos of their National Cycle Network adventures.
After close consideration by our panel of judges, we are pleased to announce the winning entries in each of the four categories.
Great Days Out
This atmospheric shot of the Bristol and Bath Railway Path was taken by Esther Watts-Nielsen. She said: “On this morning I woke early, to the sun rising, and realised it was going to be a beautiful day. So I got my bike and headed off. Riding across to Bath the light was perfect, and when I saw this low sunlight coming through the trees I had to stop to get a picture.”
Miranda Krestovnikoff, TV presenter and one of the judges for the competition, praised its early morning mood: “It definitely captured a love for the Network and a feeling of being somewhere special early in the morning.”
Prize: A family set of scooters and accessories from Micro Scooters.
Adventures in Nature
Jeff Stevens took this photograph of a tree silhouette and vibrant sunset on National Route 5 near Stafford and Stone. Jeff said: “When I stopped to take this photo, the world was very much silent. I could sit and contemplate the wonder of nature, and the colourful way in which the day was ending.”
Competition judge Marc Aspland, who is Chief Sports Photographer for The Times, told Jeff: “Well done for capturing such a beautiful and colourful sunset”.
Prize: A selection of 10 wildlife, photography and outdoors books sponsored by Vertebrate Publishing.
Art, Culture and Heritage
“Anonymous” took this shot of an art installation close to National Route 41 near Bristol: “The Bristol Whales art installation looked magnificent emerging from a calm sea of morning fog.”
Miranda Krestovnikoff said: “This really captures the magic of the Network - you never know what you’re going to come across next!”
Prize: A MTB trail bundle and waterproof backpack from Polaris Bikewear.
Adventures by the Water
Paul Neale was on a cycle ride with his granddaughter on the Low Furness Ride route in Cumbria when he took this image. He told us: “I took many pictures that day and hoped I had enough room left on my memory card to take just one more… luckily my memory card allowed me to squeeze in one more photograph! The weather had been warm and sunny all day then ended with an absolutely spectacular sunset. I’m so glad I taken my camera.”
Competition judge Anthony Pease, a professional landscape and cycling photographer, summed up the photo: “Bike, sea, cyclist, sunset. What is there not to like.”
Prize: A 20-litre touring rucksack from Proviz.
With thanks to Micro Scooters, Vertebrate Publishing, Polaris Bikewear and Proviz for sponsoring the competition.
Runners-up
Adventures by the Water: Alison Lewis's photo at Barra on the Hebridean Way, National Route 780.
Great Days Out: Paul Healy's photo in Halewood Park, National Route 62.
Adventures by the Water: Jen Newell's photo on the Montgomery Canal, National Route 81.
Adventures in Nature: Dave Harman's photo of the Old King Coal sculpture on National Route 7 near Pelton.
Arts, Culture and Heritage: James Hodgson's photo of Pleasley Pit Museum, near National Route 648.
Adventures in Nature: Brian Cairns's photo of a snipe at the Ring of Brodgar, National Route 1.
Adventures in Nature: Dawn Braithwaite's photo of a field of poppies near Swallow, Lincolnshire, on National Route 1.
Great Days Out: Catherine Kingston's photo of the Caen Hill Locks on the Kennet and Avon Cycle Route.