Bored of the daily commute on two-wheels or the occasional, longer route at the weekends? Pedalling the same tracks day in day out can often become part of the daily grind so a cycling holiday is a fantastic way to reignite your passion for two wheels. Plus, there really is no better way to appreciate the beauty of the UK than free-wheeling down a steep mountainside.
Taking the whole family on a cycling holiday is a fantastic way to improve the confidence of younger riders or get the kids interested in cycling, that’s if this summer’s success hasn’t done so already.
Here’s our guide to some of the best cycling holidays in the UK:
Best for those wanting a challenge
If you want to test your mettle, sign up for the annual Fred Whitton Challenge, a single day charity fundraiser which sees participants tackle 112 miles of the area’s highest points. If you can’t manage a holiday to the Lakes in June then not to worry, the challenge can be completed any time of year by yourself or with a couple of friends.
After a gruelling day in the saddle, what better way to ease aching limbs than in the private hot tub at your holiday cottage? If you bring the family too, you’ll have a ready-made fan climb at the peaks of the challenging climbs not to mention willing volunteers to deliver snacks and drinks to the heroic cyclist!
Best for those with a family
If you’re packing up the bikes as well as the family you’ll be looking for relatively flat, traffic-free routes where you can easily keep an eye on the little ones. Your best bet is to head somewhere with a number of purpose-built tracks for a variety of day trips throughout your holiday. Try the National Forest in Leicestershire which offers numerous routes, great picnic spots as well as a bike repair stop, just in case. The Rosliston Forestry Centre is also close by with a variety of routes to suit even the littlest of legs.
Many UK attractions offer free or reduced admission to visitors on two wheels so a family holiday by bike is also a great value option. Choose a family-friendly holiday cottage in the Peak District with lockable bike storage for your peace of mind. In the unlikely event the kids have any energy left to burn off, choose a holiday cottage with a garden.
Best for commuters
If your off-duty cycling style is more relaxed than fast-paced, choose a route along a canal towpath to guarantee low intensity cycling and amazing scenery. Upgrade your normal route by covering more ground than you would at home along the Kennet and Avon Canal in the south west.
Starting in Bath, pedal the easy seven miles to Bradford on Avon and take your pick of the country pubs for a leisurely lunch. Continue your ride towards Devizes and enjoy the unspoilt landscape which frames the entire route. Choose a south west holiday cottage within easy reach of the region’s charming market towns for a break with the perfect combination of cycling and pedal-free fun. For your first cycling holiday a cottage holiday in the south west is hard to beat.
For a fantastic selection of UK holiday cottages visit Sykes Holiday Cottages.