Where to ride in the UK?

The UK may not be blessed with year-round sunshine like some of the world’s great road cycling hotspots, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a fantastic place to ride your bike.

From the far reaches of Scotland to the mountains of Wales, we are blessed with a vast range of different road riding options. Here are just a few of them…

Snowdonia

Wales’ largest mountain range is unsurprisingly a cyclist’s paradise, providing you love hills…

There are numerous road cycling loops and also some extremely impressive multi-day rides on offer here. The Llanberis Pass is probably the climb to look out for, although there are many others that will most likely catch your eye…and your breath.

Highlands

The Scottish Highlands is huge and is almost certainly deserving of its own list entirely. The scenery is breathtaking and in many instances it is very remote, meaning there’s little chance you’ll be worried about cars on your ride.

For those of you looking for a real challenge, Bealach na Bà is up there with the UK’s most difficult climbs. It’s a winding single track road in Wester Ross that’s just over 9 km long and averages just under 7% gradient.

Lake District

Home to England’s highest peak, the Lake District is one of the best places in the country to ride a bike, go for a walk or soak in the views. There are vertical rides a plenty here, including the famed Hardknott Pass – which you can ride in either direction and still be met with a 30% gradient. 

You can also be safe in the knowledge that if your legs aren’t feeling right for such a daunting task, your cycling computer will be able to reroute you to countless other beauty spots in no time at all.

Peak District

The Peak District isn’t actually as mountainous as its name would have you think, although there are more than enough climbs to make your legs feel like jelly.

Considering the amazing riding on offer, the Peak District isn’t that far from a number of major cities, including Manchester, Sheffield and Leeds.

Winnat’s Pass is an impressive Peak District climb that should be on your list. It is an otherworldly road that cuts through a rocky valley, reaching a 20% gradient in parts. Good luck!

Kent

Often referred to as the garden of England, in cycling terms Kent is known for its beautiful lanes and punchy climbs. It’s perhaps no wonder then that on the weekend Kent’s roads are almost full with London-based cyclists trying to escape the city.

There are some lovely routes out along the Pilgrim’s way, a centuries-old route between Winchester and Canterbury, passing through vineyards and historic countryside. However, if you want a challenge then Yorks Hill is a steep track that reaches 18% in parts. The road service is less than smooth, so good luck avoiding the dreaded wheelspin…

Yorkshire Dales

Yorkshire’s rolling green hills are a wonderful place to challenge yourself. In fact, you can even pit yourself against the pros here, as the county even has its own UCI multi-stage tour race, the Tour de Yorkshire. 

There is no shortage of picture perfect towns and villages dotted across the Dales, meaning you are never far from a well-earned pint or slice of cake after a hard day in the hills.

There are many hills to tick off the list, but the Buttertubs is one of the country’s most iconic climbs, and featured in the 2014 Tour de France.

If you are looking for a hill-climbing machine to help you take on some of these climbs, or perhaps a speedy bike to help you go the long way round, check out some of the hundreds of bikes available right now on MyNextBike.