the 500-mile route encompassing all the best bits of the coastline of northern Scotland of Scotland and, by general consensus not only including some of the most spectacular scenery in Britain but also some of its best biking roads, making it a ‘must do’ for any biker.
After 500 miles in the north, how about 60 miles in the North West? Home to the NW200 race, the Antrim coast road refers to the section of the A2 which follows the scenic coastline of County Antrim from Larne to Portrush (or vice-versa)
Also referred to as the Top Gear road for being a favourite route used in the TV show, the BMR specifically is the A4069 which twists, dips and climbs in the western part of the Brecon Beacons National Park, in Wales.
More adventure and exploration than sports riding/scratching, this narrow, single track Roman road holds the joint record for being the steepest in England, the other being Rosedale Chimney Bank in North Yorkshire
If you can’t spare a full week for Scottish scenic riding on the NC500, why not try Glen Etive instead, in the heart of the Scottish Highlands between Glasgow and Inverness and just 12 miles – but still packed with Scottish scenery.
An oldie but still a goodie – and definitely one that must be crossed off on any best British rides Bucket List. Also known as the A537 between Macclesfield and Buxton in the heart of England it’s so named for the Inn which sits at its peak, so being the second highest public house in the country, which is on the border between Cheshire and Derbyshire
This 65-mile loop is also in the heart of England so is reasonably accessible to all and starts in Barnsley before heading west then north west towards Holmfirth, Holme, Glossop, then the famous Snake Pass before the Rivelin Valley and back to Barnsley.
This 65-mile route is one of the best rides in southern England and has the added bonus of taking in both historic Wootton Bassett and spectacular Stonehenge, both of which are worth stop-offs. You can start the route anywhere on the loop but from Wootton you head to Avebury then the excellent open road to Devizes.