{"id":53,"date":"2021-10-15T12:32:39","date_gmt":"2021-10-15T10:32:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.220triathlon.com\/?p=85692"},"modified":"2021-10-15T12:50:14","modified_gmt":"2021-10-15T10:50:14","slug":"best-cycling-challenges-for-adventurous-triathletes","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/rss_feed\/best-cycling-challenges-for-adventurous-triathletes\/","title":{"rendered":"Best cycling challenges for adventurous triathletes"},"content":{"rendered":"
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By Matt Baird\n \t\t<\/p>
Published: Friday, 15 October 2021 at 12:00 am<\/p>
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Lugging your bike abroad can be a faff, and why bother when you have copious trails, gravel paths and winding scenic roads on your doorstep? <\/strong><\/div>\n\n
So load up the panniers, stock up on energy bars, and take a browse of our top five picks for UK bike adventures.<\/div>\n
Three cyclists take a breather at the top of Barbury Castle, the Ridgeway \/ Sam Jones<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n
We made the mistake of thinking bikepacking was purely a world of CAMRA and canal paths, panniers and pub gardens, before taking on the new King Alfred\u2019s Way in late 2020.<\/p>\n
While you won\u2019t be short of country pubs, in reality it\u2019s a 350km loop punctuated with calf-shredding climbs and hair- raising descents. It takes place on nearly every surface known to man \u2013 mud, gravel, sand, tarmac and white chalk, to name but five.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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The multi-terrain, largely off-road route was launched in 2020 by Cycling UK and links the existing routes of the Ridgeway and South Downs Way.<\/p>\n
It officially begins and ends in Winchester, with highlights including Stonehenge, scaling Butser Hill and riding alongside tanks on Salisbury Plain.<\/p>\n
We\u2019d advise a gravel bike from April to October and an MTB for the depths of winter, traversing it clockwise and at least four riding days to fully enjoy the historical highs on route \u2013 expect progress to be slow.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
2. Great North Trail, Peak District\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Credit: Max Darkins<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n
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Another recently launched Cycling UK corker is the 1,287km Great North Trail, starting at the Peak District, linking the Pennine Bridleway and concluding at either Cape Wrath or John O\u2019Groats at the northern tip of mainland Scotland. A mountain bike is recommended, as are serious waterproof and windproof clothing.<\/p>\n
Two ferries, six causeways and 297km make up the Hebridean Way, which commences at Vatersay and finishes on the Isle of Lewis.<\/p>\n
The island-hopping Outer Hebrides challenge takes place on the National Cycle Network Route, making it friendly for road bikes, and you can also keep your swim training intact on any of the wonderful sandy beaches.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Credit: Russell Burton<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n
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This 220km \u2018Sea to Sea\u2019 route from Sustrans begins on the west coast of Whitehaven in Cumbria and ends at Sunderland or Tynemouth on the east. It\u2019s 45% traffic-free, 84% on tarmac, and can be done in a day.<\/p>\n
The nearby Hadrian\u2019s Way route is a close alternative option that can be done on the trip home to Whitehaven.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
5. Lo\u0302n Las Cymru, Wales\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Credit: Oli Scarff \/ Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n
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Three mountain passes \u2013 including the mighty Snowdonia \u2013 and two national parks are the highlights of the Lo\u0302n Las Cymru, which stretches through the entirety of Wales.<\/p>\n
The 600km-long mix of quiet lanes and traffic-free bike paths starts in Anglesey and concludes in Cardiff or Chepstow, before a most welcome train journey home.<\/p>\n
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