'One thousand miles of road in Shetland are waiting to be explored. Road surfaces are excellent and the low volume of traffic on even the main roads makes cycling a pleasure. There are many miles of single track roads with regular passing places in the rural areas and most car drivers are sensitive to the presence of other road users. Many cyclists like to explore the accessible rough tracks, which go to the peat workings in the hills or, as in Route 3, take a road that has never been tarred.

'This leaflet is designed to encourage you to take your cycle round Shetland in a variety of ways. Some routes are circular; others are linear, some from a hotel or ferry terminal. Shetland can be breezy so on a circular route you may meet a `mixture of mercies' as they say here. On a linear route, a strong following wind can sometimes be a considerable advantage!'