Bike Adventures

While there is no definitive route for cycling Land’s End to John O’Groats most people follow a westerly path, keeping close to the 900 mile shortest practical cycling route.  However, for those with time and a spirit of adventure, there are exciting longer alternatives and, with increased demand for UK-based trips during the pandemic, we have given our route-developers a free hand to come up with something new and different.  The result is our ‘Ultimate’ LEJOG, a 1230 mile route tracking the south and east coasts and passing through some of the UK’s great historic cities.  However, do not be concerned that cities means traffic; the guys have dug-deep to find incredible options utilising cycle paths, rail trails, river paths and pedestrian ferries and the result will amaze you!

After a fairly conventional  first 2 days we follow the south coast all the way to Brighton where we turn north for the nation’s capital. We sneak into central London on the Wandle Trail and out again on canal and riverside paths with just a couple of miles or urban city riding.  Once clear of London we continue north through Cambridge, Lincoln and York before meeting the coast in Sunderland.  We then join the Sustrans ‘Coast and Castles’ route for a sensational journey as far as Edinburgh before picking up the cycle paths and trails that track the A9 all the way to Inverness.
 
For our final couple of days we join our famous ‘scenic’ LEJOG route  through the Highlands to Tongue on the north coast, before turning east to reach John O’Groats.  Our journey involves 18 days of riding at an average of 68 miles per day, with a midpoint rest day in York.

This is a fabulous ride and our cycling holiday groups are always great fun. We look after you all the way and provide a certificate – just to prove you did it!!! 

This is a truly breath-taking ride along the iconic Garden Route.
 
With its mix of ancient forests, secluded artists communities, mountain hideaways, and deserted beaches this is an eclectic part of Africa where the sunshine and the hospitality are guaranteed.
 
We start in the shadow of the majestic Table Mountain in Cape Town on the Atlantic coast. The first day take us around the Cape of Good Hope to meet the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. We then head east to follow the coast for 11 days where your camera will get as much exercise as you legs with baboons, zebra and ostrich just some of the possible distractions. You may even get lucky enough to witness the migrating whales.
 
The route makes extensive use of minor roads where possible and drivers in South Africa are generally very respectful of cyclists even giving encouraging beeps on their horns on occasions.
 
The route is suitable for moderately fit cyclists with some moderately challenging climbs and between 60 and 70 miles per day.

Tuscany is known for its landscapes, traditions, history, artistic legacy and its influence on high culture. What better way to experience this than from the saddle of a bike; and of course the Italians love cycling so you will be assured a warm welcome wherever you stop.

We start our ride from the iconic city of Pisa and for those who have never seen the city there is the opportunity to fly in early on arrival day and leave your luggage with us while you explore. We ride a very approximate circle taking in the very best that Tuscany has to offer. The route passes through Florence, using cycle paths wherever possible, and this has been engineered to be a short day to allow some time to soak up the culture. 
We eventually return to Pisa from the north east, following a traffic-free cycle path along the river.
Tuscany can be very hilly, and there are certainly hills on the route – indeed there are a couple of quite challenging days on this tour – but the route offers a real mix of riding with several quite flat days. The longest day is 62 miles and the daily average is 55. 

This is a hotel-based trip using mostly 3* hotels.

There is a rest day in Pompeii, to fully explore this most iconic of sites, or an option to take a ride (self-guided) to Sorrento and beyond.

Back by popular demand, we are pleased to introduce our iconic Italian trip… and what a trip!  Offering similar challenges to the existing Land’s End to John O’Groats and Channel to the Med rides, the route offers spectacular scenery, superb cuisine, a ‘warts and all’ view of less travelled parts of Italy, and a very good chance of unbroken sunshine!

Guest must make their own way to Pisa Airport, from where we will provide transport to our centrally located hotel where we will spend our first night. Our route takes us to the coastal road before heading inland to enjoy the beautiful Tuscan fields and villas.  As we approach Rome we pass Lake Bracciano before squeezing past the city for a night just south of Fiumincino.

Once south of Rome we follow the coast road before once again heading inland to skirt the bustling sprawl of Naples. Our rest day is spent in Pompeii so no shortage of things to see and do! After a well-deserved rest we begin 3 shorter but hilly days as we climb over the hills to Amalfi and then follow the Amalfi coast. The descent into Amalfi must rate as one the greatest switchbacks anywhere in the world and an incredible ride!  

Eventually the terrain becomes flatter with many tunnels and viaducts to ease the way as we head down to the foot of Italy, before boarding a ferry for the short crossing to Messina and a final day of riding along the southern Sicilian coast to Catania from where, after a good night’s rest, we fly home.

As well as hotel accommodation we are including a camping option and where better to enjoy some time under canvas?

Launched in 2013, this route has already been enjoyed by numerous riders.  The holiday offers similar challenges to the UK ‘End to End’, but the weather is usually better, the total distance is less and a rest day is included. 
The holiday starts with the ferry crossing from Dover to Calais from where you start the journey south. Our route takes us through the pretty farming countryside of northern France and into Normandy, with its lush green countryside and distinctive timber framed houses.

After crossing the River Seine we cross the vast plains via Chartres and continue south through the magnificent chateau region of the Loire Valley. The scenery becomes increasingly dramatic as we head into the mountains of the Massif Central and around the Category 2 ‘Tour’ col of Puy St Mary.  Our penultimate stop is the stunning medieval city of Carcassonne where we will stay within sight of the old city walls, and this is a short day to allow time for sight-seeing.

We continue through some spectacular scenery with the landscape becoming drier and rockier as we pass over the Black Mountains. We then drop down to the plains of southern France to arrive at the Mediterranean Sea in Cap D’Agde.

You return to the UK from the nearby airport of Beziers or, for a small supplement, we can arrange transport back to Carcassonne or Toulouse. There is one rest day at Aubusson. 

This is a superb ride and our cycling holiday groups are always great fun. 

A sensational ride down the Mediterranean coast of Italy from the iconic leaning tower, finishing with a day in Sicily. 

For some riders a day just isn’t worth doing unless the mileage nudges 3 figures (miles!) and this trip is designed for them. Our tried and tested classic Italian route but repackaged for 9 days riding.

Guest must make their own way to Pisa Airport, from where we will provide transport to our accommodation. Our route immediately takes us on the coastal road before heading inland to enjoy the beautiful Tuscan fields and villas. As we approach Rome we pass Lake Bracciano before squeezing past the city for a night just south of Fiumicino.

Once south of Rome we follow the coast road before once again before heading inland to skirt the bustling sprawl of Naples, stopping the night in Pompeii. We must then climb over the hills to Amalfi and follow the stunning Amalfi coast. The descent into Amalfi must rate as one the greatest switchbacks anywhere in the world and an incredible ride!  

Eventually the terrain becomes flatter with many tunnels and viaducts to ease the way as we head down to the foot of Italy, before boarding a ferry for the short crossing to Messina and a final day of riding along the southern Sicilian coast to Catania from where, after a good night’s rest, we fly home.

A new take on Bike Adventures long-running holiday at a most delightful time of the year with an all new route. The holiday offers similar challenges to the UK ‘End to End’, but the weather is usually better, the total distance is slightly less.

The holiday starts with an overnight stay in Dover then the ferry crossing from Dover to Calais from where you start the journey south. Our route takes you through the pretty farming countryside of northern France and into Normandy, with its lush green countryside and distinctive timber framed houses.

After crossing the River Seine we cross the vast plains via Chartres and continue south through the magnificent chateau region of the Loire Valley. The scenery becomes increasingly dramatic as we head into the mountains of the Massif Central and around the Category 2 ‘Tour’ col of Puy St Mary.  Our penultimate stop is the stunning medieval city of Carcassonne where we will stay within sight of the old city walls. 

We continue through some spectacular scenery with the landscape becoming drier and rockier as we pass over the Black Mountains. We then drop down to the plains of southern France to arrive at the Mediterranean Sea in Cap D’Agde.

You return to the UK from the nearby airport of Beziers or, for a small supplement, we can arrange transport back to Carcassonne or Toulouse.

This is a superb challenge and our cycling holiday groups are always great fun. The trip includes a certificate for those that make it all the way down to the Mediterranean Sea, just to show you did it!!!

We ran our first Coast and Castles holiday in 2016 – it proved so popular and enjoyable we promised to make it an annual excursion. This is a relatively easy, yet oddly epic, ride from Edinburgh to Newcastle via Dalkeith, Melrose and Holy Island (Lindisfarne). The route follows various Sustrans routes, with our own additions where we feel things (often the road surface!) could be improved. We cycle past, or very close to, an almost endless variety of historical and natural sites, including the world renowned Lindisfarne and Bamburgh Castle.  

This trip uses a slightly different route from our other ‘End to End’ holidays – more direct, though still very pleasant riding – and the trip is aimed at fit, experienced cyclists who want to ride the ‘End to End’ as quickly as possible.
Starting from Land’s End the route takes you through southern Cornwall, then around Bodmin, over Dartmoor, and into Devon. You continue across the Black Hills into Somerset, passing around the edge of Bristol. After crossing the magnificent bridge over the River Severn you continue north through the lovely rolling countryside of Herefordshire and Shropshire, before skirting around the urban sprawl of Manchester, and heading around the Forest of Bowland and the Cumbrian Lake District.

After crossing the Scottish border the route takes you across the Southern Uplands, around the edge of Glasgow, then through the Grampian Mountains to the shore of Loch Linnhe. You then continue through Fort William and along the Great Glen, passing Loch Ness on the way. The final section of the route takes you around Dornoch Firth and along the coast to the small settlement of John O’Groats on the northern tip of the Scottish mainland.

There are no rest days on this holiday. We look after you all the way and provide a certificate for those that complete the trip.

On this 9 day trip you will cross the majestic Tian-Shan mountain range and see the astounding beauty and variety of its landscapes. You will ascend vertiginous mountain passes over 3,000 meters and enjoy the beauty of lush mountain valleys with alpine lakes, coniferous forests and rushing rivers. As you cycle at lower altitudes you will be rewarded with amazing views of deserts, moon-like landscapes and beautiful canyons. But this trip is more than just purely cycling through this remote part of the world – a once flourishing area on the ancient Silk Road – you will also discover the rural lifestyle of Kyrgyz people and experience their hospitality. You will meet Kyrgyz nomads living in yurts and their  herds of sheep, horses and yaks roaming free on vast summer pastures. This trip will present you hundreds of incredible photo opportunities and leave you with many new experiences, stories and lifelong memories.