Travel guide best bike r.., p.1
Travel Guide Best Bike Rides Great Britain, page 1
Contents
PLAN YOUR TRIP
Welcome to Great Britain
My Perfect Bike Ride
Our Picks
When to Go
Get Prepared
BY REGION
LONDON & SURROUNDS
Shoreditch, Hackney & Islington
Hackney Wick & Olympic Park
Greenwich to Canary Wharf
Richmond Park to Windsor
Also Try
SOUTHERN ENGLAND
Mount’s Bay
Bath
New Forest
Downs Link
Exe Estuary
Forest of Dean
Also Try
CENTRAL & EASTERN ENGLAND
Sherwood Forest
Cannock Chase
Monsal Trail
Cromer to Sheringham
Cambridge to Wimpole
Tissington & High Peak Trails
Also Try
NORTHERN ENGLAND
Cononley to Gargrave
Grizedale Forest Hawkshead Moor Trail
A Lap of Kielder Water
Morecambe & Lancaster Loop
Preston Guild Wheel
Scarborough to Whitby: The Cinder Track
York to Selby
Also Try
WALES
Elan Valley Trail
Llyn Brenig & Alwen Reservoir
Millennium Coastal Path
Taff Trail from Brecon
Mawddach Trail
Brunel Trail
Also Try
SCOTLAND
Falkirk
Kirroughtree, Galloway Forest
Aberfoyle
Glenfinnan
Royal Deeside
Aviemore
Ullapool
Also Try
TOOLKIT
Arriving
Getting Around
Accomodation
Bikes
Health & Safe Travel
Responsible Travel
Nuts & Bolts
By Difficulty
Behind the Scenes
Welcome to Great Britain
You could easily argue that there’s no better way to explore Britain than by bike. Covering more ground than travelling on foot, and getting closer to nature and wild landscapes than you could by car, cycling allows you to venture both deeper into the countryside and to investigate more of the city streets. Britain’s rich history is reflected in the cycling landscape, with many traffic-free cycle tracks repurposed from former railway lines serving heavy industry or transporting Brits to the seaside for some salty sea air. By bike you can explore the wildlife-rich estuaries, rugged moors, sleepy canal towpaths, iconic urban landmarks and brightly painted coastal resorts of England, Scotland and Wales, and the rich local cultures that define them. With such splendid and varied training grounds like these, it comes as no surprise that Great Britain has produced so many world-class cyclists and enthusiasts alike.
Cycling in the Scottish Highlands
Rawpixel.com/shutterstock ©
My Perfect Bike Ride
Katherine Moore
MILLENNIUM COASTAL PATH
While it’s a tough choice, the Millennium Coastal Path really stands out as my favourite ride in Wales. It’s mind-blowing to think that this green, wildlife-rich and peaceful coastline was once the site of power stations and steelworks before the regeneration project. As a keen birder, the variety of species here, found in habitats from salt marsh to estuary mudflats, is a real delight, while the views across to the hills of the Gower are simply breathtaking.
Burry Port, Wales
stevenbailey65/Shuttertstock ©
Aoife Glass
GLENFINNAN
The route out from Glenfinnan along Loch Shiel in Scotland is my favourite from this guide. As well as spectacular scenery, it gives a taste of wild remote riding without the hard climbs often needed to reach such areas. I love the huge mountains and while riding here, I was lucky enough to see a vast white-tailed eagle emerge from the trees beside me before silently soaring off into the sky.
Top 5 scenic rides
1
Ullapool, Scotland
Breathtakingly picturesque riding.
2
Elan Valley, Wales
Reservoirs and dams meet rugged natural landscapes.
3
Exe Estuary, Southern England
Fabulous ferry-linked loop.
4
Sherwood Forest, Central England
Ancient woods with 1000-year-old oaks.
5
Glenfinnan, Scotland
Famous viaduct on a spellbinding ride.
Reeta Nykänen
GREENWICH TO CANARY WHARF
The ride from Greenwich to Canary Wharf is my favourite in London. Whenever I have visitors here, I take them on this route which finishes with a cable-car ride across the Thames. In just a couple of hours you see so many different sides of the city, from historic areas to the ultra-modern high-rises and everything in between. You could spend days exploring everything along the route and never run out of things to see.
Greenwich, London
I Wei Huang/Shuttertstock ©
Top 5 urban rides
1
Greenwich to Canary Wharf, London
Tour London from history to modernity.
2
Bath, Southern England
Old and new meet seamlessly in this upmarket spa city.
3
Hackney Wick & Olympic Park, London
The now-trendy home of the 2012 Olympic Games.
4
Morecambe & Lancaster Loop, Northern England
Enjoy a varied west coast ride.
5
Preston Guild Wheel, Northern England
Local history and the Brockholes Nature Reserve.
Beth Pipe
MONSAL TRAIL
I love the ride along the Monsal Trail. The views are fantastic and I get a childish excitement from cycling through the long tunnels. It’s a very gradual climb on the way out, which means it’s a freewheeling blast on the way back! Plus, it has the benefit of Bakewell puddings at the end – two shops claim to have the original, so you’ll definitely need to try both and pick your favourite.
Louis van Kleeff
CANNOCK CHASE
My favourite ride is Cannock Chase in Staffordshire. I’ve spent a lot of time riding in remote locations and Cannock Chase gives a feeling of being removed from the world and really wild, despite being so close to large urban centres. Its rolling terrain and quiet are reminiscent of the Scottish Highlands, without having to travel so far. If you’re willing to explore here, you can discover a lot in a relatively small area.
Our Picks
BEST WILDERNESS ROUTES
Think of the wilderness in Great Britain and your mind may simply lead you to the dramatic Highlands of Scotland, yet there are many more pockets of wilderness to be explored. From vast expanses of moorland in central and North Wales to surprisingly remote-feeling regions in the Midlands, there are more places than you’d think to go off-grid for a while. Be well-prepared for these challenging itineraries, often far from civilisation.
1 Glenfinnan, Scotland
Make the most of the Highlands charm passing between mountains, rather than over them.
2 Llyn Brenig & Alwen Reservoir, Wales
Ride North Wales’ all-too-often-overlooked wild Denbigh Moors on this varied loop.
3 Cannock Chase, Central England
North of Birmingham, Cannock Chase proves that wild landscapes needn’t be miles from urban centres.
4 Grizedale Forest, Northern England
Lose yourself in this magical forest at the heart of the Lake District National Park.
5 Elan Valley, Wales
Explore the remote Cambrian landscape from charming Rhayader on this out-and-back ride.
TOP TIP
Always stick to the path to minimise disruption for ground-nesting birds.
Elan Valley, Wales
steved_np3/Shutterstock ©
TOP TIP
You’re unlikely to find places to stock up on snacks along these routes so pack ahead.
Glenfinnan, Scotland
Philip Hall/Lonely Planet ©
TOP TIP
Check out English Heritage, Historic Environment Scotland and the National Trust for other historic sites near your rides.
Selby, England
Phil Silverman/Shutterstock ©
Our Picks
BEST HISTORY ROUTES
Whether you’re a seasoned history buff, amateur enthusiast or just like to know a bit more about the context of where you’re travelling, there truly is history by the bucket-load when you travel around Great Britain. Ancient ruins, relics of industry, mighty stone castles, flamboyant city architecture, charming old coaching inns, central market squares, former railway lines and mind-blowing feats of engineering await to satisfy your curiosity.
1 Forest of Dean, Southern England
This former royal hunting forest turned coal mining hub has plenty to offer history enthusiasts.
2 York to Selby, Northern England
From York’s city walls to Selby Abbey, it’s worth leaving the Roman city to explore.
3 Taff Trail from Brecon, Wales
Now peaceful, the Brecon Canal was once an important transport link for coal and iron.
Marvels of Georgian architecture abound on this ride from impressive viaducts to magnificent city townhouses.
5 Tissington & High Peak Trails, Central England
Stone walls meet former railway stations along this converted rail trail through the Peak District.
TOP TIP
Look for information boards at historic sites to learn more about the region as you ride.
Brecon Canal, Wales
Tim Scanlan Photography/Shutterstock ©
Our Picks
BEST NATURE ROUTES
Cycling and wildlife go hand in hand, as travelling by bike allows you to get closer to nature while exploring multiple different habitats even on a single ride. If you ride through the year, you’ll notice wonderful seasonal shifts, from the brightly coloured spring hedgerows in bloom to the rearing and fledging of young in summer to the arrival of overwintering migratory ducks and geese in autumn.
1 Mawddach Trail, Wales
Ride right beside the estuary to see the wonderful variety of birds that forage here.
2 Richmond Park, London
There’s plenty more to see here besides the royal park’s iconic herd of red deer.
3 Downs Link, Southern England
Journey from countryside to sea along the River Adur with plentiful wildlife along the way.
4 Kielder Water, Northern England
Keep an eye out for osprey, goshawks, roe deer and otters while circling the large reservoir.
5 Aviemore, Scotland
A wildlife haven for red squirrels, golden eagles, osprey and red grouse between pines and heather.
TOP TIP
A compact set of binoculars are a biking birder’s best friend for getting a close-up view.
Richmond Park, London
Simon Edmunds/Shutterstock ©
TOP TIP
Sometimes the best bird and animal sightings come when you’re sitting still. Take snacks and hunker down for a while.
Osprey, Aviemore, Scotland
James Gregory Photography/Shutterstock ©
Our Picks
BEST COASTAL ROUTES
Not so long ago, Brits used to flock to the seaside for the fresh sea air to work wonders for their health. While we know a lot more about medicine these days, the mood-boosting effect of being near the sea can’t be denied. There’s plenty of coastline to choose from in Great Britain, with much of the National Cycle Network (NCN) geared up to make the most of it.
1 Norfolk Coast, Eastern England
Link the charming former resort town of Cromer and fishing port of Sheringham by bike.
2 Millennium Coastal Path, Wales
A spectacular stretch of the South Wales coastline yielding peaceful riding and sublime views.
3 Mount’s Bay, Southern England
Follow the South Cornwall coastline from Penzance to Marazion with views of St Michael’s Mount.
4 Ullapool, Scotland
The salty shore of Loch Broom hosts the start point for this incredibly scenic ride.
5 Scarborough to Whitby, Northern England
Explore Yorkshire’s spectacular east coast from the clifftops on the Cinder Track cycleway.
TOP TIP
Don’t get caught out by the tides! Check these at tidetimes.org.uk.
Cromer, England
Radek Sturgolewski/Shutterstock ©
Our Picks
BEST FOODIE ROUTES
Surely one of the best parts of travelling by bike is sampling local delicacies on your way? Just as the British accent varies enormously from region to region, so do the culinary specialities, with many different savoury dishes and sweeter treats to be savoured. From freshly caught seafood to original bakes, lively street food markets to posh afternoon teas, these are well worth working up an appetite for.
1 Exe Estuary, Southern England
Devon cream teas, freshly caught fish, locally produced ice cream and more – you’ll be spoilt for choice!
2 Shoreditch, Hackney & Islington, London
Brick Lane bagels and street food delights await on this culinary tour.
3 Royal Deeside, Scotland
Enjoy an afternoon tea fit for a royal in Ballater, close to the Balmoral Estate.
4 Monsal Trail, Central England
See how the original Bakewell pudding differs from the iced tart widely known today.
5 Aberfoyle, Scotland
A high street packed with locally produced food outlets makes for a perfect mid-ride picnic.
TOP TIP
If you’re planning on sitting inside, bring a lock to secure your bike while you eat.
Bakewell tart, Bakewell, England
larik_malasha/Shutterstock ©
When to Go
For the best chance of blue skies and sunshine visit in summer, though the shoulder seasons can also be spectacular.
While there’s no season when you’ll be guaranteed perfect cycling weather thanks to Great Britain’s maritime climate, the warmer months from May through to September are a good starting point. Depending on where you’re travelling, the peak summer months of July and August can get hot, so you might want to time your rides to avoid the hottest part of the day. In Scotland and parts of Wales, this is also when the pesky midges tend to be at their worst, so prepare with midge nets and repellent spray, or choose the calmer spring and autumn for maximum enjoyment.
Autumn cycling, England
Tommy Lee Walker/Shuttertstock ©
I LIVE HERE
AUTUMN DELIGHTS
Katherine Moore, Lonely Planet writer
“There’s nothing quite like cycling around in Britain during the autumn. The lowering sun yields a different light that’s known to photographers around the world, bathing the landscape around you in a sensational golden glow. The turning leaves flash in tones of bold red, orange, yellow and deep purple, while the crunch of fallen leaves under your tyres is delightfully satisfying. Every delicious ride feels like you’re eking out the last of the summer’s warmth, while post-ride hot chocolates enjoyed beside a pub fire in the early evening are wonderfully cosy after the heat of peak summer.”
Accommodation
Bear in mind that school holidays run through July and August, so accommodation prices tend to be higher then. You can snap up some real bargains on stays if you’re willing to travel in the winter, though it’s much more of a gamble with the weather!
Tweed Run, London
ElenaChaykinaPhotography/shutterstock ©
TOP TIP
The British climate is hugely variable. Expect colder temperatures as you venture further north, with the risk of ice and snow in winter.
WETTER IN THE WEST
Heading to Wales, the South West or the west coast of Scotland? Be sure to pack your waterproofs, as Great Britain is generally wetter closer to the Atlantic Ocean. It’s not all bad, as it also means beautifully green, hillier landscapes.
LOCAL CYCLING FESTIVITIES
Forget the lycra, suit up in your Sunday best and polish your shoes to join an annual tour of the heart of London in full tweed on the Tweed Run. April
