If you're looking for the best region to get on your bike, the choices are endless. You can venture through the North West and retrace the moment Chris Boardman broke the Athlete’s Rules World Hour Record in Manchester back in 2000 or visit the famous velodrome where Sir Chris Hoy and Dame Sarah Storey won Olympic golds. You can whizz “Oop North” via Yorkshire’s Aire Valley Towpath or the Way of the Roses and into Scotland to venture from Edinburgh city centre to the Shore and the Loch Leven Heritage Trail. The northernmost tip of Great Britain boasts some of the most challenging and tranquil sights to be seen on bike.
And if you're looking for more than beautiful scenery, the most challenging routes boasting wild countryside can give you a run for your money. The Belfast to Ballyshannon route is 231 miles of sheer Northern Irish terrain. Likewise, if you want to tackle one of the toughest long-distance routes in the whole of the United Kingdom, Lon Las Cymru is 250 miles of Welsh wonder that goes from the top of the dragon land, all the way down from Holyhead to Cardiff.
As is the temperament with weather in the United Kingdom, you can't always guarantee a warming climate during the summer months. But if you're looking for a challenge across the various terrains and exposing yourself to the elements, Britain provides the biggest challenge. If you're looking for a more relaxing ride, the summer months are always going to be the ideal option. As the longer days and shorter nights lend themselves well to your cycling experience, you have more daylight to tackle the routes on your list.
British cycling boasts such a rich heritage, from the invention of the first mechanically propelled 2-wheel vehicle back in 1830 by Scottish blacksmith Kirkpatrick MacMillan. And now, all the way through to the sport riding high on the back of Tour De France winner Geraint Thomas, now has never been a better time to come to the UK to experience the highs and lows of the most challenging, adventurous, and beautiful roads. As more people are parking their car and heading out on their bike to save the planet, you can see the abundance of cyclists in Britain taking advantage of the challenges, exercise, and stimulation a bike has to offer. The United Kingdom doesn't always shine in terms of its weather, but don’t let that stop you!