Frederick Thomas Bidlake

The modest grave of Frederick Thomas Bidlake sits in Sandy, Cambridgeshire, marking the final resting place of a man who revolutionised British cycling in the late 1800s. Bidlake was the founder of the Bidlake Shield, a time-trial competition that became the backbone of competitive cycling in this country - if you've ever watched a road race, you're witnessing his legacy.

It's not a grand monument or a visitor attraction in the conventional sense. You won't find gift shops or interpretive boards here. Instead, it's a quiet spot for cycling enthusiasts and history types who want to pay respects to someone who genuinely shaped the sport. The grave itself is straightforward, the kind of place that requires a bit of detective work to find, which somehow feels appropriate for a man who spent his life pushing the boundaries of what cyclists could achieve.

If you're touring Cambridgeshire with Cambridgeshire Lakes nearby - a solid 5-star park just a few miles away - this is worth a detour if you're interested in cycling heritage. Allow an hour in Sandy itself; it's a pleasant market town with decent amenities. Pair it with a cycle ride through the local lanes and you've got a proper morning. The real reward is the quiet contemplation rather than any spectacle, and that suits Sandy down to the ground.