If cycling is your ‘jam’ and whether you love to do it competitively or just for fun. We wanted to give you a list of 10 places to cycle in the UK to visit for an awesome cycling experience. Some with challenging environments and others that just offer you breathtaking views. So, whether you have a cheaper bike from Evans Cycles or Halfords, or more of a specialised mountain bike, at least one of these trails will be suitable for you. Find the perfect UK cycle trail!
Oh and yes, cycling is just as much for women as it is for men. Especially these days with more and more specialised women’s bikes being readily available. In fact, near where i live, there seem to be more women on bikes than men! So don’t let that stop you. Get on your bike and get adventure cycling all around the UK.
Jurassic Coast – Hilly Bike Trails
This area is one of my favourite to visit, either on a bike or just walking its beautiful beaches. It runs from Exmouth across to Swanage in Dorset and is a hilly wonderland! With scenic views, magnificent cliffs, adorable seaside towns and bubbly beaches, the Jurassic Coast has them all.
Oh, and take a picnic with you and stop for a breather on the top of one of these hills. It literally feels like you’re floating in the clouds! I would advise you go out of peak season so you don’t get stopped by the huge numbers of visitors in the summer holiday months . Get ready for some steep climbs, you’ll come back with a bum and thighs of steel.
Dartmoor – Adventure Cycling
If you prefer a wild and virtually empty area to go cycling, then definitely take a look at going to Dartmoor. It lies between Exeter and Plymouth and offers challenging roads, breath taking views, sweeping bends and exhilarating descents. The valleys of Dartmoor are worth exploring if you get the chance. Especially the Teign as there’s a great ride for all you daredevils!
Brecon Beacons – The Dare Devil Cyclist
I first came to know the Brecon Beacons when I was at school (year 11 I think). We were taken there during one of those educational trips. I can remember even now how hilly and mountainous everything was. It took the buses such a long time to get any where!
Years later went went back and did some mountain biking near Pontsticill to Talybont-on-Usk road. Which runs around the foot of the biggest mountain in the Brecon Beacons – Pen-y-fan. I’m told the SAS train around here. It’s such an exceptionally beautiful and slightly intimidating mountain to be so close to. With it’s crashing waterfalls, shear cliff faces and string of lakes.
Exmoor – Mountain Biking UK
Exmoor is an area that rises up out of the Bristol Channel between the Vale of Taunton and Barnstaple. It stretches south to the North Devon Link Road. However, it’s actually the coast road that makes this the best place to go for a ride in Britain. With challenging terrain, it’s not one for the faint hearted.
However, it’ll offer those that complete it a great sense of satisfaction and views to boast about. After climbing diagonally up a rather vast cliff face in Woody Bay, you’ll enter what claims to be Britain’s longest village, Combe Martin. The feeling of exposure in places borders on terrifying…let’s just leave it at that!
The Cotswolds – Mountain Bike Trails
If you enjoy looking at old houses with thatched roofs, immaculate village greens, babbling brooks and churches as old as time. Then you really must come and visit! Probably a little biased myself seeing as I’ve lived in this stunning area my entire life.
There are a number of pubs and tearooms along these bike trails so you can stop and enjoy the scenert. Catch your breath, plan the next part of your trip and get going. Whether you like flat roads, winding countryside or hills, the Cotswolds has it all to offer you. So whether you have a road bike, mountain bike or a hybrid bike, there’s something for everyone.
Cambrian Mountains – Mountain Bike Adventures
The mountainous spine of Wales, otherwise known as the Cambrian Mountains, runs from the Brecon Beacons north past Snowdonia. They generally get overlooked quite a lot by tourists so you’l find the roads much quieter than most.
They also hold some fantastic challenges for us cyclists so be warned and do your research before you go to plan your routes. The challenge I’m talking about is called Bwlch y Groes, a gruelling climb that has proven to much for the best of cyclists. It rises to approx 550 metres, making it the highest road in Wales.
Surrey Hills – UK Cycling At It’s Best
The Surrey Hills begin at Farnham in the west and continue on until Oxted in the east. The best place to take advantage of these gorgeous hills is in the Hurtwood and Coldharbour areas.
However, don’t forget to ride Box Hill too, which is just east of Dorking and rises up the side called the Dorking Gap. This has always been a great place to go cycling and is very popular with cyclists from all over the world.
Giant’s Causeway & Antrim Coast – Challenging Cycle Trail
The north easterly corner of Northern Ireland has beautiful sea views for you to enjoy as you cycle over the cliff tops. You do have to be a pretty good rider to take on the challenging climbs and descents around the region and if you not have a head for heights, it’s probably not for you!
However, if you go a lite further inland, places like the Glens of Antrim are much more easy going and relaxing places, each with its own historic story to share with you. Then there’s the Giant’s Causeway, where the pillars march out to sea, guarding the coastline. They really are a spectacular sight to see up close.
The Lake District – Cycling Adventure Trails
The scenery here is absolutely stunning and well worth a visit. However, do think about when you plan to go as parts can be problematic for cyclists in the high tourist seasons as they get clogged with visitor traffic. Try to go in the off peak season to get the most out of your trip to the lakes, you really won’t regret it!
The Yorkshire Dales – The Best UK Cycle Trails
Away from the touristy areas, here you can get some of the best UK cycle trails in the whole of Britain. It’s such a beautiful place to go out cycling and the people there are so welcoming. Do bare in mind that the higher Dales are wild and windy, so do take the appropriate gear with you if you decide to go. Check out Formby Cycles as they have every kind of bike you could ever want, along with accessories, clothing, helmets and even the option to purchase your new bike on finance…awesome!
What are some of your favourite UK cycle places to visit? Get outdoors and start your adventure!
Collaborative Post
Leave a Reply