Monday, 27 June 2011

My Favourite Bike Rides

I thought I would mention my favourite bike rides. At first I was going to list my favourite bike rides around the UK only, but then I decided to also include a list of some memorable bike rides I've done abroad.

I won’t go into much detail now, but over the course of the months I will do blog entries about the different places, if I haven't done any about them already.

Note that I have included bike rides, rather than bike challenges. Rides to be enjoyed rather than endured! I have therefore excluded all those rides that gave me that quad-busting feeling! I have done quite alot of those in my time, but those will be written about another day!

UK Rides

Lake Coniston, Lake District (Cumbria)
This is a really pleasant loop around the Lake Coniston. It's a quiet lane that runs parallel to the lake, gently undulating and twisting through the forest. It's quite a joy to ride, especially at a leisurely pace. When you're done you can either go into Coniston village or catch the Hawkshead Ferry to Windermere.

Lake Vyrnwy, North Wales
The road around the lake is very pretty. Just follow it round and you have the long lake on one side and woodland on the other. It's quite a popular area so don't expect to have the road to yourself. The day I rode this I was just very happy to be there on easy flat land, as I'd spent the previous couple of hours riding up over Bwlch y Groes!

Blanchland (Co. Durham)
An off-road route which I did from Blanchland, a village within the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, over the moor and through Slaley Forest. There's a short steep climb to get up to the moor at the start of the ride, but once I was up on the moors there was not much climbing to be done. While up there, I had great views of the Derwent Reservoir below. As well as scenic moors there is also forest land with a stream running nearby and areas to stop for a picnic. Along the way you see various monuments and historic buildings which are a reminder of the North Pennine's bygone lead-mining era.

Grassington-Kettlewell-Yockenthwaite (Yorkshire Dales)
This route runs parallel to the B6160 road as a quiet alternative. The B6160 is not a very busy road though. However the lane parallel to it is really tranquil. There's not much going on at all - just trees and farms where you can ride and not think about anything, apart from enjoying the countryside and woodland around. You'll probably meet walkers and cyclists, plus the odd horse. But it's a very quiet, pleasant road and there is nothing challenging about riding this lane. At Kettlewell the route joins the B6160 but it is fairly quiet and the route goes on to Buckden and Yockenthwaite, where the terrain opens out and you get great views of the peaks above, notably Pen y Gent. At Deepdale retrace your route back to Grassington (unless you want to tackle the 25% climb to Fleet Moss). There are a few country pubs and cafes along the way at Buckden, Kettlewell and many back at Grassington.

Hornsea Rail Trail (East Yorkshire)
Cycle paths along disused railway lines are an increasingly common feature around the UK, especially in the North of England. This one leads from Hull right to the coast. The route is very straightforward and easy to follow. It's pan flat and on good quality surface. The first half of the 15-mile route is on tarmac, so fine for road bikes. Later on it is on compact gravel, so better to have more robust tyres. This is a great route for all the family, including beginners. When you get to the end you can reward yourself with fish and chips and ice cream! Oh, and there is a picnic site along the way.

Spa Trail (Lincolnshire)
Another similar path to the one above. This one leads from Horncastle to Woodhall Spa. It's quite picturesque and along the 3-mile route are various modern art sculptures representing aspects of Lincolnshire heritage and wildlife.

Millington Dale (East Yorkshire)
Just outside Pocklington, in the Yorkshire this lovely route goes through what I think is the best part of the Yorkshire Wolds. Passing through a mixture of pasture and woodland there are spectacular views of the moutains around. Riding through the dale is really quiet apart from the sound of the flowing stream nearby. Your only company is the highland cattle that make an appearance at intervals along the way. It's like a mini version of the Pyrenees. From Millington it's a gradual climb, otherwise it's a lovely descent from Huggate. At either end are pubs/cafes to round off a pleasant jaunt.

Ide Hill/Brasted Chart (Kent)
From the village of Brasted, near Westerham take the road that leads up towards Ide Hill Village. This is a gradual climb, though nothing too difficult, especially if taken at a leisurely pace. While riding upwards, enjoy the scenery that Kent has to offer. Once at the top, a park bench and village shop awaits where you find lots of other cyclists having a short break and on a sunny day, bathing in the heat on the village green. Return to Brasted by rolling approximately 100 metres down Ide Hill, taking the first left and riding uphill towards Emmetts Garden. From there turn right and enjoy the lovely descent down Brasted Chart. For another cafe stop turn left and head to Westerham where you can enjoy cycling cafe culture in Kent at it's best.

Box Hill (Surrey)
I can't not mention this one, given that it will feature heavily in the London 2012 Olympics. In the cycling road race the men will ride up it no fewer than 9 times!
To be honest, it's not that onerous a climb when ridden at a steady pace and just once. Even if you don't like hills this hill isn't so bad, and it is probably the best introduction to the Surrey Hills - it is one of the easiest! I like riding up The Zig Zag, as it is known, because it is like doing a mini Alpine climb. After the first two corners you begin to see how far up you have climbed and there's a real feeling of achievement that you have managed to get up so high already. The early part of the climb is scenic but a little exposed, so gets quite warm on a sunny day. As you near the top, the trees form a pleasant shield and it is a blessing to be in the shade. When you turn the final corner and see the car park you know the work is done and a trip to the National Trust tea and cake shop is a just reward for this effort. Fifty metres after the tea shop is a large green space where you can contemplate the panorama around Dorking and the rest of Surrey. To do a loop you could continue on this road through Boxhill Village, turn left at the T-junction towards Headley. Turn left down Tot Hill (Leech Lane), and left again into Lodge Bottom Road. This gives one of the best descents in the area. You barely have to pedal at all! At the end of Lodgebottom lane turn left onto the main road and then left again up the Zig Zag.

Some Foreign Rides
Amalfi Coast, Italy
Col de la Madone/Peillon, France
Col d'Eze/La Turbie
Cloue de Greolieres
Death Road, Bolivia
Sally Gap, Ireland
Gorges de la Nesque, France
Eastern coast road, Mallorca, Spain
Lac du Bourget, Aix les Bains, France

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

No mention of Bourg and the Marmotte? tut tut

Bobthebikeman said...

Have you tried the ride over the top of Lincolnshire on the Bluestone Heath Road? Rolling roads, little traffic and spectacular on a good day.

2Wheel Chick said...

I will look out for that the next time I'm in Lincolnshire, Bob.

Bourg or La Marmotte are more like sufferfest bike rides to endure rather than enjoy. When I ride La Marmotte I spend the time fearing Galibier and Alpe d'Huez as they loom in the distance! The landscape's definitely up there, but it would be great if someone could just tow me round the course!