Ales & Abbeys

This section begins in London, with riders spinning south to the White Cliffs of Dover before boarding a ferry across the English Channel to the European continent and Bruges. This picturesque town's medieval old town is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and riders enjoy a rest day here sampling some of the world's finest beers, perfected over the years by Trappist monks, originally brewed to aid the monks' fasting.

A few days later the route spins into Amsterdam, home of Heineken, with its renowned cafes, canals, bicycles and red light district. From there, cyclists cross northern Germany, stopping for a rest day in Hamburg, the country's largest port, where riders can revel in the city's maritime spirit and, over a litre mug of local brew, remember how this city started the Beatles on their storied career.

A couple of days later, cyclists board a ferry to Denmark, the tour's final country. Home to Tuborg and Carlsberg, two of the world's most well-known breweries, the friendly and welcoming capital city of Copenhagen marks the end of this fascinating section, and of the full Pub Ride journey for those riding both sections back to back.

Highlights:

• Ferry crossing of the English Channel from the White Cliffs of Dover
• Bruges' UNESCO-listed medieval old town and Trappist beers
• Amsterdam's cafes, canals and cycling culture
• Rest day in the port city of Hamburg
• Ferry crossing to Denmark
• Finish among the breweries and bike paths of Copenhagen

Surface and terrain:
1–5% unpaved roads; a touring or gravel bike with 35–40c tyres is recommended. Mostly flat, coastal and canal-side riding across England and continental Europe. Tour is e-bike friendly.

Suitable for:
Riders comfortable with long daily distances (averaging around 98km on riding days) who want cultural and pub-focused immersion rather than mountainous terrain. Touring category, 2/5 difficulty score.