Published: 17 June 2021

This month, our cycling related article gives us the opportunity to dream about where we can go and ride our bikes, in hopefully the not too distant future, a bit further afield.

After a year and a bit of stay-at-home notices and yo-yo-ing in and out of lockdown, cyclists are understandably champing at the bit to travel far and wide with our bikes. Every cyclist has a bucket list, right? A collection of destinations where we would love nothing more than to take our bike, soak in the rays and ride some incredible roads. Here are seven ideas from us and some of these stunning places are closer than you might think.

Lake District

When it comes to cycling destinations in England, the Lake District has it all, with opportunities for pretty much every type of cyclist. Road cyclists and mountain bikers are spoilt for choice, and it is also a great destination for families. The national park offers various signed cycle routes, like those in Whinlatter Forest and on the banks of Lake Windemere, as well as many hospitality options and bike hire centres. For the more committed cyclists there are beautiful but challenging hilly loops around Ambleside and Keswick.

Scotland

Home to some of the most epic cycle routes in the whole of the United Kingdom, Scotland is the ideal destination for bike packers, road riders and gravel cyclists alike. The country quite literally has it all. With epic road climbs like Bealach na Bà, picturesque routes through the Scottish Highlands and stunning gravel trails in dense forests, is there any better cycling destination in the UK? Scotland is a particularly rich location for bikepacking explorer cyclists, thanks to the many famous signed routes like the Caledonian Way and North Coast 500, as well as the friendly wild camping laws and plethora of youth hostels. When it comes to packing your life up and living on a bike for a week or so, there is arguably no better place than Scotland.

Girona

The picturesque old town of Girona is the ideal base for a Spanish cycling holiday. With a beautiful climate, vibrant culture and bustling coffee houses, it’s no surprise that so many professional cyclists call Girona home. What’s more, the city is on the doorstep of some of the country’s best cycle routes through hills and mountains, all on Catalonia’s relatively traffic-free roads.

Tuscany

When we think about stunning places to ride our bikes in Europe – perhaps even the world – Tuscany is at the very top of that list. With a rugged landscape and a wealth of tourism hotspots, the region isn’t just easy on the eye, there are plenty of opportunities for committed cyclists. Most notable are the steep, gravelled white roads that characterise the Strade Bianche race. These stunning roads take you into the heart of the countryside with its rows of lush vineyards and cypress tree-flanked tracks. There is plenty of exploring to do off the bike at the various hilltop towns, monasteries and old towns like Siena. Finally, when it comes to quality holiday cuisine, is there any better destination than Italy?

Slovenia

Whereas Girona and Tuscany are pretty esteemed European cycling destinations, Slovenia is a hidden gem with a wealth of cycling opportunities. It makes sense that a country that has produced two of the best current Grand Tour cyclists, Tadej Pogačar and Primož Roglič, would have some fantastic cycling. Chief among the nation’s cycling hotspots are the Julian Alps. A destination that we expect will only grow in popularity in the coming years, the mountainous region has plenty of road and off-road routes as well as a rich culture to explore. Shimmering lakes, hidden valleys and rugged architecture, Slovenia blends together the very best of central European and Mediterranean cycling.

South Australia

Anywhere in Australia is a dream holiday destination but for cycling there is no better area to ride your bike than on the south coast. More specifically, the phenomenally beautiful Great Ocean Road between Adelaide and Melbourne, a smooth road linking these two great cities that can be completed in four days by advanced cyclists. The route showcases some of the best views in the entire country, so make sure to take time out at the geographical marvels of Loch Ard Gorge, the Twelve Apostles, Rainbow Falls and Apollo Bay. If you’re staying for longer, you can head inland to explore the Great Otway National Park and find the world-famous Mackenzie Falls. You can even start your trip by climbing the iconic Willunga Hill on the outskirts of Adelaide, often the decider in the Tour Down Under

Hawaii

Slightly less obvious compared to the others on this list is Hawaii. Better known as a holiday island where you sit back and relax on the beach, there is far more to the Pacific Islands than meets the eye. Hawaii is a hybrid island and a melting pot of geography and culture, and believe it or not, is well regarded among cyclists. Just a stone’s throw from the tourist areas you’ll find some of the best riding in the whole of the United States. Beautiful routes through the Akaka Falls State Park, the lava coast of Puna, the roads of Kau, Hapuna Bay and the old Mamalahoa highway to Honokaa are particular highlights. For riders who rate themselves as decent climbers, the island’s most brutal test is the 4,018m Mauna Kea. Regularly voted as the world’s toughest climb, Mauna Kea is a dormant volcano that is known for its moonscape and often snow-capped summit, a long way from the tropical beaches below.

As always, we wish everyone safe travels, however, if you or any of your family or friends are involved in an accident on the roads and require legal assistance from a Top Tier Legal 500 rated law firm, please do not hesitate to contact us. We can also be contacted on 0330 058 0377 for a free, confidential, conversation with a qualified serious injury solicitor. Alternatively, please send us your contact details to enquiry@seriouslaw.co.uk and we’ll call you back. All enquiries are free and confidential.