Favourite bike rides

My regular playground is in the Forest of Bowland. Great roads, lots of hills and less traffic than the Dales.

Make a loop out of Gargrave, Bolton by Bowland, Grindleton, Waddington then up the Hodder to Dunsop Bridge, back via Newton, Slaidburn, Tosside and Hellifield. That is about 55miles, an extended loop could take you out towards the M6 at Oakenclough then back via the Trough Of Bowland. Alternately go over Goat Fell from Slaidburn to Bentham and back via Clapham. Lots and lots of little roads to pick in this great area.

Another great run. Take the Skipton to Carlisle train (a treat in itself) and ride back via Kirkby Stephen, Hawes, Horton in Ribblesdale and Settle. A tough 100 miles in full but plenty of little stations on the way so modify to suit.  A bit of this will be in the Tour. The steepest bit!

Bruce

C'mon folks, stop ranting in the other thread and share the good bits about cycling. Might inspire others.

Bruce

The Kettle Valley Railway is now used as a cycle route from Midway to Naramata. It takes a few days to cycle the whole route, but being a dissused railway, there are no steep inclines in either direction.

The section through the Myra Canyon is very picturesque and the views from the trestles can be spectacular - providing you stop to view - otherwise its too easy to gyrate towards the safety fence and fresh air !

We have cycle several parts of the route and this year we again included the Myra Canyon.

A few pictures to follow.

Cheers

Don

What a fab thread. Give me a little time and i will add a few.

james

Don

That looks great!

Bruce

I love cycling in Südtirol around Bolzano and through the vineyards behind St. Eppan and Kaltern. When you're feeling full of beans you can get over to Meran and go over the Stilfserjoch. Just don't forget your energy bars!

Yeah, that's a great area. We road bike out of Christina Lake each year for a few days. Lots of good stuff around there. We're thinking of doing the KVT as part of the trip, possibly on 'cross bikes, this summer.


P1000414 by winkyintheuk, on Flickr



P1000454 by winkyintheuk, on Flickr

This is a lot steeper and rougher than it looks!

Many thanks, it was a fantastic day out for the whole family.

Another great location, but we haven't biked that area yet, just hiked.

oops, didn't see your pictures when I replied. Things seem to have become muddled. Apologies

No, my mix-up. I posted the wrong (duplicate) second picture. Before I could correct it, you replied.

Italy, this summer.

P1000299 by winkyintheuk, on Flickr

P1000349 by winkyintheuk, on Flickr

P1000318 by winkyintheuk, on Flickr

P1000343 by winkyintheuk, on Flickr

These from a loaded tour of Tasmania a few years back. As with all my photos, click through for the full set if you're interested.

gordon franklin np entrance bike by winkyintheuk, on Flickr

lighthouse at macquarie heads by winkyintheuk, on Flickr

western explorer - done! by winkyintheuk, on Flickr

Winky and Don, lovely rides.

No piccies I am afraid but this is my sunday morning training ride. Not nearly as beautiful as yours but the stretch back up from Shoreham to Chelsfield is one of my favourite rides. Also the valley around Shoreham has lavender fields which are rather fine at the right time of the year. Once you get back to Chelsfield you can cut across the top of the north downs and then extend it with any loop down and around Ide Hill and back. Some very fine climbs back up too!

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/lutyens

We are slowly exploring some of the French/Swiss part of this http://www.eurovelo6.org/

It has some nice views and is mostly well away from motorised traffic.

velo6 looks really interesting. Presumably much of the French route is on Departmental country roads?

I somehow fear I would get stuck in Burgundy !!

Cheers

Don

Even better. A lot of it is on converted (to cycle path) river banks.

I am slowly working towards Beaune.