Dreaming of adventure on two wheels? We’ve selected 6 of the best adventure cycling rides featured in our book Ride, from zooming down America’s Pacific Coast to island-hopping in Japan.
Ride
View BookNorth America: Pacific Coast, USA
Stretching all the way from Seattle in Washington State to San Diego in California, the Pacific Coast cycle route is a 2,540-km (1,578-mile) odyssey along the USA’s wild West Coast, tracing the edge of the sparkling Pacific Ocean. It’s an undeniably tough ride, being long (expect at least 40 days in the saddle) and hilly (there’s about 32,700 m (107,300 ft) of ascent in total).
But don’t worry – the route is blessed with both great infrastructure, meaning you’re never far from a place to eat or sleep, and packed with incredible views (the best distraction for sore legs). These panoramas slowly transform from the moss-strewn rainforests of the Pacific Northwest to the sandy beaches of the Oregon coast, before giving way to soaring redwood forests, lush vineyards and rocky headlands as you roll through California towards journey’s end.
Top tip: Fancy extending your journey further? Start your trip in Vancouver, Canada to experience even more of the Pacific Northwest’s wild beauty.
But don’t worry – the route is blessed with both great infrastructure, meaning you’re never far from a place to eat or sleep, and packed with incredible views (the best distraction for sore legs). These panoramas slowly transform from the moss-strewn rainforests of the Pacific Northwest to the sandy beaches of the Oregon coast, before giving way to soaring redwood forests, lush vineyards and rocky headlands as you roll through California towards journey’s end.
Top tip: Fancy extending your journey further? Start your trip in Vancouver, Canada to experience even more of the Pacific Northwest’s wild beauty.
South America: Trans Ecuador Mountain Bike Route (TEMBR), Ecuador
Running down the length of the “Avenue of Volcanoes”, this mountain bike trail is an off-the-beaten-track adventure into Ecuador’s remote backcountry. It’s a testing 1,060-km (657-mile) ride – expect rain, rough roads and more than a handful of heart-thumping climbs – but the route allows you to experience a side of Ecuador rarely seen by visitors.
Following dirt roads from the Colombian border in the north to the historic city of Cuenca in the south, you’ll pass over swathes of open paramo (tundra) grazed by lama-like vicuñas, cycle alongside patchwork fields of quinoa and potatoes, and roll through colourful market towns like Otavalo. Best of all, though, is the chance to get up close to fiery giants, including the perfect conical Cotopaxi and the snow-capped Chimborazo, Ecuador’s highest volcano.
Top tip: If you’re after even more of a challenge try the singletrack version of the TEMBR, a taxing, highly technical route that takes you along horse trails and historic footpaths, and over energy-sapping open paramo.
Following dirt roads from the Colombian border in the north to the historic city of Cuenca in the south, you’ll pass over swathes of open paramo (tundra) grazed by lama-like vicuñas, cycle alongside patchwork fields of quinoa and potatoes, and roll through colourful market towns like Otavalo. Best of all, though, is the chance to get up close to fiery giants, including the perfect conical Cotopaxi and the snow-capped Chimborazo, Ecuador’s highest volcano.
Top tip: If you’re after even more of a challenge try the singletrack version of the TEMBR, a taxing, highly technical route that takes you along horse trails and historic footpaths, and over energy-sapping open paramo.
Europe: Danube Cycle Way, Germany to Hungary
With its car-free paths, flat terrain, cyclist-friendly facilities and excellent signage, this relaxing route is perfect for those who want to dip their toes into cycle touring.
The trail starts in Germany’s Black Forest at the source of the famed Danube, following the river’s flow through Austria and Slovakia before coming to a gentle stop in Budapest, Hungary’s capital. While this might seem like a long way – 1,213 km (754 miles) to be precise – there's no need to rush, and you can bank on plenty of rest stops along the way. This area’s rich history and culture will mean that you’re constantly lured off your bike, whether it’s to explore the timber-framed towns, medieval cities and fairy-tale castles that line the route, or to refuel with generous helpings of Austrian apple strudel and Hungarian Dobos torte.
Top tip: Don’t want the journey to end? An extension to this cycle route allows you to follow the river to its terminus at the Black Sea. Be warned though, it’s a much more adventurous ride, and you’ll need a guide and up-to-date maps to find your way.
The trail starts in Germany’s Black Forest at the source of the famed Danube, following the river’s flow through Austria and Slovakia before coming to a gentle stop in Budapest, Hungary’s capital. While this might seem like a long way – 1,213 km (754 miles) to be precise – there's no need to rush, and you can bank on plenty of rest stops along the way. This area’s rich history and culture will mean that you’re constantly lured off your bike, whether it’s to explore the timber-framed towns, medieval cities and fairy-tale castles that line the route, or to refuel with generous helpings of Austrian apple strudel and Hungarian Dobos torte.
Top tip: Don’t want the journey to end? An extension to this cycle route allows you to follow the river to its terminus at the Black Sea. Be warned though, it’s a much more adventurous ride, and you’ll need a guide and up-to-date maps to find your way.
Africa: Tour d’Afrique, Egypt to South Africa
If one route deserves the crown for the world's most adventurous cycle ride, this is it. Taking in a total of 10 counties and 11,630 km (7,226 miles) over 4 long months, this trans-continental journey crosses the whole length of Africa from north to south. On the way there'll be multiple challenges to overcome, whether it's rough terrain, buckled bike wheels or the tempestuous weather.
There's no way to sugarcoat it: a ride like this is mentally and physically exhausting. So why do it? Because you'll experience the astounding variety that this continent has to offer, including cycling in the shadow of the Pyramids of Giza and powering your way through Ethiopia's rugged Highlands, snaking alongside Kalahari desert and rolling past elephants in Botswana. Yes, you'll reach Cape Town, your final stop, completely drained. But you'll also be able to count yourself among the brave few who have completed this epic challenge.
Top tip: While it's possible to do this ride self-supported, TDA Global Cycling – who established the route – runs an annual tour of the Tour d'Afrique, offering support vehicles, luggage transfer and fresh meals prepared by staff.
There's no way to sugarcoat it: a ride like this is mentally and physically exhausting. So why do it? Because you'll experience the astounding variety that this continent has to offer, including cycling in the shadow of the Pyramids of Giza and powering your way through Ethiopia's rugged Highlands, snaking alongside Kalahari desert and rolling past elephants in Botswana. Yes, you'll reach Cape Town, your final stop, completely drained. But you'll also be able to count yourself among the brave few who have completed this epic challenge.
Top tip: While it's possible to do this ride self-supported, TDA Global Cycling – who established the route – runs an annual tour of the Tour d'Afrique, offering support vehicles, luggage transfer and fresh meals prepared by staff.
Asia: Shimanami Kaido, Japan
This laid-back route takes riders on a gentle amble across the sparkling waters and verdant islands of the Seto Inland Sea. Linking Japan’s main island, Honshu, with it’s fourth largest, Shikoku, the cycle path runs alongside the Nishiseto Expressway, hopping its way over six forested isles with the help of seven futuristic bridges. While there’s plenty to see along the way – including sleepy fishing villages, traditional temples and shrines brimming with samurai weaponry – it’s the bridges that really steal the show. Highlights include Innoshima, with its cycle lane suspended beneath the main carriageway; Tatara, whose 220-m- (720-ft-) high towers look like the folded wings of a crane; and Kurushima-Kaikyo, one of the world’s longest suspension bridges at 4 km (2 miles) long.
Best of all, the 70-km (40-mile) route is a breeze for beginners, thanks to its mostly flat terrain and excellent infrastructure, including well-marked and maintained cycle lanes which are completely separate from the expressway.
Top tip: While it’s easy to complete this route in a day, why not slow things down and take two? A number of ryokans (traditional Japanese inns) line the route, the perfect laces to rest and refuel.
Best of all, the 70-km (40-mile) route is a breeze for beginners, thanks to its mostly flat terrain and excellent infrastructure, including well-marked and maintained cycle lanes which are completely separate from the expressway.
Top tip: While it’s easy to complete this route in a day, why not slow things down and take two? A number of ryokans (traditional Japanese inns) line the route, the perfect laces to rest and refuel.
Australasia: Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail, New Zealand
This 287-km (197-mile) trail flows through some of the South Island’s most beautiful landscapes. Thankfully, bar a couple of leg-burning climbs, it’s a relatively easygoing route, meaning that there’s plenty of time to sit back in the saddle and soak up your surroundings.
The first part of the ride takes you through high country, a land of mineral-rich lakes lined by multicoloured lupins and tawny hued tussock plains, all watched over by vast blue skies. Here, the imposing glacier-clad Southern Alps provide a constant backdrop to the changing scenery. After Omarama the landscape changes, moving from alpine splendour to rolling valleys. Following the flow of the ribbon-like Waitaki River, you’ll roll past angular arid hills and lush green farmland, heading towards Oamaru, where endless views of the glittering Pacific Ocean provide the perfect finale to your ride.
Top tip: Most cyclists start this route at Takapo/Lake Tekapo, but you can also begin from Aoraki/Mount Cook Village, in the shadow of New Zealand’s highest peak. From here it’s a short helicopter trip over the Tasman River, and then a 43-km (27-mile) cycle down to Lake Pukaki to join the main trail.
The first part of the ride takes you through high country, a land of mineral-rich lakes lined by multicoloured lupins and tawny hued tussock plains, all watched over by vast blue skies. Here, the imposing glacier-clad Southern Alps provide a constant backdrop to the changing scenery. After Omarama the landscape changes, moving from alpine splendour to rolling valleys. Following the flow of the ribbon-like Waitaki River, you’ll roll past angular arid hills and lush green farmland, heading towards Oamaru, where endless views of the glittering Pacific Ocean provide the perfect finale to your ride.
Top tip: Most cyclists start this route at Takapo/Lake Tekapo, but you can also begin from Aoraki/Mount Cook Village, in the shadow of New Zealand’s highest peak. From here it’s a short helicopter trip over the Tasman River, and then a 43-km (27-mile) cycle down to Lake Pukaki to join the main trail.
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