Intrepid cyclist Graham Swain suggest five of his favourite cycle rides
2 July 2007
WHERE: UK-
COAST TO COAST ACROSS ENGLAND
Tour Duration: 3/5 Days
Details of Tour: Start in Whitehaven and finish in Sunderland
Best Time to Go: April to September
Sights to See: Cumberland Pencil Museum, Cars of the Stars Motor Museum, Britain’s Highest Café, Beamish Open Air Museum (life as it was in the 19th century)
Highlights on Route: Stunning beauty of The Lake District, North Pennines, varied metal sculptures all along the route, off-road trail ( many disused railway lines), takes you through multi-various evocative settings, some trapped in a time warp of yesteryear, the interesting fellow travellers you meet on route.
Low Points on Route: Some tough rugged areas, very weather dependent.
Type of Landscape: Tough ascents over the Lake District and North Pennines, marvellous descents and flat rides in between, all on dedicated off road cycle tracks.
Difficulty Rating: 10/10 Need to have a reasonable ‘fit’ aerobic level of someone who undertakes exercise/sport on a regular basis.
How to get on your bike: Sustrans Information T: 0845 1130065, info@sustrans.org.uk
WHERE: SCOTLAND -
THE ENCHANTED ISLES OF MULL & IONMA
Tour Duration: 7 Days
Details of Tour: Start and finish on the mainland at Oban. Sail to Bunessan on Mull. Bunessan – Salen visiting the Holy Isle of Iona (birthplace of Christianity). Salen to two night stop in Tobermory via the forest of Aros. Tobermory to Strontian utilising the ferry to Kilchean on route. Ferry return to Oban.
Best Time to Go: April to October
Sights to See: Castles of Duart and Torosay, ruined Nunnery and restored Abbey Church on Iona, picture postcard ‘chocolate box’ cover that is Tobermory,
Highlights on Route: Stunning unspoilt scenery, Tobermory chocolate factory, peace and solitude of Iona.
Low Points on Route: Extreme changeable weather possibilities.
Type of Landscape: Some high ascents and rapid descents in between some low level coastal riding.
Difficulty Rating: 8/10 need to be on a reasonable aerobic level, regular exerciser.
How to get on your bike: Scottish Cycling Holidays, T: 01250 876100, info@scotcycle.co.uk, www.scotcycle.co.uk
WHERE: SPAIN -
CAMINO DE SANTIAGO
Tour Duration: 10 days
Details of Tour: Leon to Santiago de Compostela, tracing the path of St James and the Templar knights along Camino de Santiago, passing through the towns and villages of Astorga, Pontferrada, Villafranca, Triacastela, Portomarin, Melida to reach Santiago de Compestela.
Best Time to Go: May, June and September
Sights to See: Cathedral of Leon and Santiago, Celtic huts of Cabeiro and hamlets of Galician hills
Highlights on Route: The route simply oozes history and really is a land of never ending tales of miracles and mystery with the real highlight the tales of fellow travellers you’ll met along the way whether they be cycling or walking the route on pilgrimages or simply for fun…….and it is a fun trip!
Low Points on Route: Extreme weather conditions, from the blistering hot in the High Plains and the Monsoon rains as you drop down into the microclimate towards Santiago
Type of Landscape: Ever changing from the High Plains around Leon to the rolling hills of Galicia
Difficulty Rating: 6/10 - Ok for anyone of a good fitness whether bike-wise or generally.
How to get on your bike: Saddle Skedaddle Ltd. www.skedaddle.co.uk
WHERE: CUBA
How Long: 16 Days
Details of the trip: Starting and finishing amongst the marvellous colonial buildings of Old Havana, via Las Terrazas, overnight in San Diego Los Banos on route to two days in the Vinales Valley, then on to Cienfuegos and the ‘Bay of Pigs’, 2 day stopover in the Trinidad, overnight stop in Santa Clare on route to Yumuri Valley before returning to Havana.
Best Time To Go: Christmas/New year when the climate is more temperate.
Sights: The fantastic resourceful people, Steam train tour of San Luis and Sugermill Valleys, Santa Clara, the site of the decisive Che Guevara battle of the revolution.
Highlights: Virtually no motorcar traffic. The amazing spirit and enjoyment of life of the people expressed in their music. Havana – Probably the most stunning colonial town in the Americas with an abundance of major sites. Vinales Valley – Picturesque Mogote rock formations in one of the classic tobacco regions of Cuba. Trinidad – The beguiling colonial gemstone amongst all Cuban towns. Topes De Collantes Ride – Spectacular ride through the central Sierra Escambray Mountains.
Low Points: How much longer can this ‘time-warp’ society exist in it’s current form, with an ever ageing Fidel Castro
Type of Landscape: Mostly flat with some uphill sections on tarmac roads
Difficulty: 4/10….Ok for those who are reasonably fit
How to get on your bike: Explore Cycle T: 01252 760025 www.explore.co.uk/cycle
WHERE: VIETNAM -
SAIGON TO HANOI
How Long Is The Tour: 16 days
Details of the Tour: Starting in Ho Chi Minh City , through Dalat. two-night stop in the coastal town of Nha Trang, with overnight stops in Tuy Hoa and My Lai Hoi on route to a two night stopover in Hoi An and ending in Hanoi.
Best Time To Go: April when the climate is welcoming
Sights to See: The amazing Nager Cham Towers dating back to the 2nd century
Highlights on Route: The scenery is exotic as are the roadside spring rolls turning up at opportune moments. The zest and colour of Ho Chi Min city and the stunning Ha Long Bay beaches. Cat Ba Island is a tropical fantasy paradise, of white sand beaches, waterfalls, caves and limestone peaks, which rise like blackened Jurassic peaks from the luxuriant greenery. Since 1986 over half the Island has been a designated National Park, protecting an abundance of mammals. birds, fish and plants.
Low Points of Route: Pollution can be terrible and the rules of the highway are based less on legalities and more on a basic survival instinct. The overnight ‘Reunification Express’ to Nam Dinh, 500 km to the north was an experience in less than basic living. Mushy rice for lunch, bars on the windows and loos too small for comfort of any sort.
Type of Landscape: Some hilly terrain but flat in most places.
Difficulty Rating: 5/10 - Couple of breath gasping ascents - average fitness will suffice.
How to get on your bike: Exodus Cycling, T: 0870 240 5550 www.exodus.co.uk