The great British summer might not mean clear skies and sunshine, but it is a fantastic time to get on your bike and explore the great outdoors. Whether you’re riding solo or you have the whole family in tow, bike riding is the perfect activity for keeping fitness levels up whilst making the most of the warmer weather. From the Scottish Highlands to the promenades of Bournemouth, Britain has some great bike rides and Evans Cycles bring you five of the best.
Grizedale North Face Trail
For those that are serious about biking, the Grizedale North Face Trail in Cumbria is a great track for taking your mountain bike out for a spin. Ten miles long and featuring a range of jumps, berms and boardwalks all set within stunning woodlands, this trail is sure to get your adrenaline pumping.
Blickling Hall
A family-friendly route with some beautiful scenery and history to boot can be found at Blickling Hall in Norfolk, where this bike ride begins. To make the most of this stunning trail, a road bike from Evans’ Specialized range would fit the bill perfectly. The Hall itself is a 17th century architectural marvel set amongst acres of landscaped parks and stunning gardens and is the gateway to a disused railway. Follow the tracks of the Marriott Way through winding country lanes and onwards into the historical town of Aylsham, where you can stop for tea and cake at one of the many team rooms located here.
Rottingdean to Shoreham Port
Heading further south, a bike ride by the sea can be found in East Sussex. Stretching from Rottingdean to Shoreham Port, this route takes you through traditional seaside promenades, but not before traversing the hilly coast of Rottingdean and providing some spectacular cliff top scenery. Getting closer to sea level, you’ll find Brighton, the bustling city-by-the-sea, and then it’s onwards past the West Pier to Hove; the perfect place for a spot of relaxation amongst the boating lakes and picturesque lawns.
Lon Eifion
Lon Eifion is the perfect ride for a road bike. Skirting the edge of Snowdonia, Lon Eifion cycleway in Gwynedd stretches for 12.5 miles and has gained popularity amongst cyclist for the wonderful views it offers of Nantlle Valley and Mt. Snowdon itself. Sweeping through tree-lined lanes and into the royal town of Caernarfon before winding onwards to the quaint village of Bryncir, this is an excellent route to take older children on.
Cornish Way
In the south western corner of the country, you’ll find a range of great bike rides of varying difficulty and The Cornish Way is a challenging trail in terms of sheer length. At 123 miles long, this route takes you from Lands End, via several spots of interest, to Bude in Cornwall. Amongst the places you’ll see are the ancient landscape of Penwith, Mounts Bay and the island of St. Michaels Mount, all spectacular sites certainly worth the ride.
Evans Cycles is the UK’s largest road bike shop, stocking the widest range of bikes from leading brands such as Specialized, Trek and Cannondale. Need some cycling advice? Ask our experts on Facebook or watch our How to videos on Youtube.