If your idea of a brilliant Saturday is one where you are splattered with mud, soaked in sweat and straining your muscles as you pedal up a mountain, then this post will make you excited.
The UK has several fantastic cycling trails all over the country, so any given weekend you can drive for a few hours and be in a totally different landscape – ready to go exploring on two wheels. Why not attach one of the many styles of bike carriersto your car and go on an adventure? Within a few hours you can be in a totally different part of Here are a few ideas of where to start.
Aberdeen to the Shetland Isles, Scotland
This route begins in the third largest city in Scotland and will take you along the coast and into the gorgeous remote scenery of the Scottish Highlands. Ride through the rugged peatlands of the Flow Country and then hop on a ferry to the islands of Orkney and Shetland. The distance from Aberdeen to Inverness is 150 miles, then Inverness to John o’Groats is 170 miles. Once on Orkney and Shetland islands you can continue cycling through these unspoiled landscapes. A cycling trip to this part of the world is the ideal way to enjoy the wild beauty and wide open spaces of Scotland.
Avenue Verte, London-Paris
A 250 mile cycling route that takes in some of the most famous London attractions then brings you through towns, villages and countryside, Avenue Verte has a lot to enjoy. It begins at the London Eye and follows the Channel, with a mixture of quiet lanes, on-road cycling, old railway paths and trails along the river. It mainly follows the National Cycle Network Routes and will pass through Surrey, West Sussex, East Sussex and the Forest Way and the Cuckoo Trail. Once you enter France the route will follow the former Dieppe-Paris railway line and will end up at Notre Dame. Reward yourself by feasting on macarons and croissants and toasting with French champagne – you’ve come a long way!
Ballyshannon to Ballycastle, Ireland
Ride your bike through some of Ireland’s most stunning scenery on this exciting 236 mile Atlantic Coast route. This route begins in Ballyshannon and heads inland, crossing the border into Lough Erne. You can then criss-cross the border and pass through some of the quiet roads to Pettigo. The journey will take you to Derry where you can enjoy gorgeous views of the River Foyle. There are a lot of interesting points to stop at along this route, including the Giant’s Causeway, Enniskillen Castle and Bushmills Irish Whisky Distillery.
The Forest of Dean, England
If you are looking for a short cycling adventure, there are trails through the fairy-tale-like Forest of Dean that are between three and eleven miles and range from easy to challenging. The best time to go biking there is in the spring, when the birds are singing and the flowers are blooming. Make sure that you make your way up to the New Fancy Viewpoint, which is worth the climb up the hill for the stunning 360 degree views over the forest. After a big day of cycling you can relax and enjoy a hearty meal and a pint at the White Horse in Soudley.
Snowdonia, Wales
The highest mountain in Wales is an exciting challenge for the adventurous cyclist. You can do a circuit using the Llanberis Pass, which will offer you plenty of stunning views. The roads along Cader Idris give some of the best cycling in all of Snowdonia. You’ll be surrounded by towering peaks reflecting in tranquil lakes. According to Welsh legend Cader Idris is the chair that the mythical giant Idris used to sit back in and admire the stars.
These are just a few of the best cycling routes that the UK has to offer. Whenever you want to strap your bike to the roof and head off for the weekend, there are so many fantastic places where you can go. All you need is to make sure that your bike is secured for transport with a towbar fitting, that you have packed lots of water and that you are prepared for an exciting adventure