Foldable Bikes Party: 10 of the world's most epic bike rides

Tuesday, 15 November 2016

10 of the world's most epic bike rides

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Searching for inspiration for a life changing bike ride? Or just fancy riding some of the most beautiful routes in the world? Then have a browse through the ten rides listed below, a mere sample of the selection on offer in the new book Epic Bike Rides of the World by Lonely Planet.

From stunning singletrack to rides that take in the culture and atmosphere of the big city, and from Northern climes to high deserts, there's a destination (and terrain) to suit every rider. Which one will you head for first?

1. Dingle Peninsula, Ireland

Between the craggy range of mountains and rocky cliffs that plunge into the Atlantic, the Dingle Peninsula is a joy for cyclists, who can ride a demanding day-long loop that passes historic ruins, roaring coastline and amazing beaches.

The peninsula is something of an open-air museum, dotted with more than 2,000 Neolithic-Age monuments built between 4000BC and early Christian times. The village of Dunquin has many crumbling rock homes that were abandoned during the famine and you’ll also pass the Gallarus Oratory, one of Ireland’s most well preserved ancient Christian churches.

Start/End: Dingle Town
Distance: 25 miles (40km)

2. Tour D'Afrique

Start: Cairo, Egypt
End: Cape Town, South Africa
Distance: Approx 7,500 miles (approx. 12,000km). The route varies but usually goes via Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Botswana and Namibia. Riders can opt to do the race (with competitive sections most days) or the ‘expedition’ (which means just taking part)
Duration: Covering the entire distance requires around 120 days, divided into 90 riding days and 30 rest/sightseeing days
When to ride: The Tour d’Afrique is organised every year, usually mid-January to mid-May, by TDA Global Cycling
More info: Support trucks carry supplies and camping gear. Some riders may also take advantage of a truck-ride to cut daily cycling distances

3. Heaphy Track, New Zealand

Start: Collingwood
End: Karma
Distance: 50 miles (80km)
More info: www.doct.gov.nz

4. Lofoten Islands, Norway

Start: Svolvær
End: Henningsvær
Distance: 16 miles (25.9km)
More info: See http://ift.tt/2geis8L

5. Ring Road, Iceland

Start/End: Reykjavík
Distance: 828 miles (1332km)

6. The covered bridges of Vermont

Start/End: Brandon, Vermont
Distance: About 99 miles (160km) Brandon–Middlebury–(Vergennes)–Shoreham–Brandon
Getting there: Rutland Airport is 22 miles (35km) south of Brandon. Cape Air flies from Boston Logan airport
Tour: Inn to Inn offers a four-night package, including half-board accommodation, maps, route notes, bike hire and baggage transfers
Bike hire: Green Mountain Bikes rents bikes from $30 per day and bikes can be delivered to inns
When to ride: April to October. Foliage season is mid-September to mid-October, when rates rise and accommodation gets booked out

7. Ride with the Whitehorse Trails, Yukon Territory, Canada

Start/End: Whitehorse
Distance: 31 miles (50km)
Tour: You can ride independently (free) or with a local operator such as Boréale Explorers, which provides good-quality bikes, expert guidance and yurt-based accommodation in the midst of the trails
What to take: A decent dual-suspension mountain bike, along with a helmet, some armour and all the usual spares and tools. Carry bear spray (seriously) and insect repellent
When to ride: Unless you have a fat bike (a mountain bike with supersized tyres) tracks are only rideable May to October. Check out June’s 24 Hours of Light MTB festival
More info: See www.yukonbiking.ca. Printed waterproof maps can be purchased in Whitehorse’s two local bike shops, Cadence Cycle and Icycle Sport

8. Buenos Aires' bike paths

Start: La Boca
End: Parque de la Memoria
Distance: 5½ miles (9km), but detours recommended
Getting there: International travellers arrive at Ministro Pistarini Airport at Ezeiza. Flights from nearby countries land at Palermo’s convenient Jorge Newbery Airport
Bike hire: Some hotels have free bikes for guests: try Casasur Bellini in Palermo or Biking Buenos Aires rents bikes by the hour and day
Bike share: See http://ift.tt/2eXzXVQ for a downloadable map
Tours: Biking Buenos Aires has a good selection, including one dedicated to street art
When to ride: Spring and from mid-October to December
Bike purchases/repairs: Try Canaglia Bicicletas

9. Annapurna Circuit, Nepal

Start/End: Besisahar
Distance: 186 miles (300km)
Tour: KE Adventure is a respected international operator offering supported trips around the circuit

10. Corsican challenge

Start/End: Bastia
Distance: 281 miles (452km)
Getting there: There’s an airport and ferry port in Bastia. Flights to European destinations are more frequent from June to late September. Day and overnight ferries run from several destinations in mainland France and Italy year-round
Bike hire: In Bastia, try Europe Active
When to ride: April, May, June, September and October: in July and August it’s hot and peak holiday season
What to eat: If you’re pedalling round Cap Corse and feel like lunch, try L’Auberge du Chat qui Pêche in Canari
What to drink: Local wines (especially from the Patrimonio area)
More info: See http://ift.tt/2gek2HQ

You can read more at BikeRadar.com

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