On the right path for adventure

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The Guardian {The Joy of Cycling}

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National Cycle Network

UK Saturday 16, September 2017 6,7 1081 sq. cm ABC 149420 Daily page rate £11,400.00, scc rate £42.00 020 3353 2000

Routes

On the right path for adventure New tracks for recreational cycling are springing up in the UK and around the world, offering everything from scenic countryside tours to relaxed city rides North Wales Lôn Las Ogwen (aka the Ogwen trail) from Porth Penrhyn, in Bangor, Idwal Cottage to Llyn Ogwen (Lake Ogwen), in Snowdonia national park, was completed this year with the opening of the 275m Tregarth tunnel. The trail, part of Sustrans’s National Cycle Network 82, follows a former quarry works railway and minor roads after Tregarth, climbing for more than 300m to the lake. It passes the mockGothic Penrhyn Castle, eventually affording views of the Snowdonia mountains looming over the trail. There’s one pub on the route, called Pant Yr Ardd, and a cafe on the shores of Llyn Ogwen, the supposed resting place of King Arthur’s sword. Distance: 11 miles From: Porth Penrhyn, Bangor To: Idwal Cottage Classification: Hard (300m climb) Terrain: Tarmac, gravel and slate; hilly Anglesey

Porth Penrhy

Canada The Route Verte is the only fully signposted bike network in

North America with 5,300km and seven routes crisscrossing every region of Québec. As well as signage with tourist and route information there are online maps and a network of 500 cyclistfriendly accommodation providers. It also connects with the 1,600km Waterfront Trail in Ontario and Lake Champlain bikeways in New York and Vermont. Distance: 5,300km in total – pick your segments From: Various To: Various Classification: Various Terrain: Road and cycling routes

Taiwan The country launched a bike network in 2015 Taiwan including the 866km Round the Island route, constructed across 10 segments with a train ride to avoid rockfalls. Riders will pass a 23m-tall Buddha statue, the 2km Xilou bridge and Taiwan’s oldest city, Tainan, founded in 1624. You’ll also pass a Confucian temple built in 1665 and China

Taipei

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Dapeng Bay lagoon, home to 95 species of bird, as well as hot springs, tea farms and rice paddies. The route even crosses the Tropic of Cancer – twice. Police stations offer water and bicycle pumps. There are other, less strenuous options, including family friendly excursions. Distance: 866.3km, split into 10 days From: Taipei To: Taipei Classification: Various Terrain: Road and bicycle trail Northern Ireland Connswater Knock Greenway in Belfast River Belfast was Cregagh completed this Glen year after 10 years and £40m funding from the Big Lottery Fund. The 9km route creates a linear park following the Knock and Loop rivers, as well as the Connswater river, which was cleaned up as part of the project. The Greenway replaced former industrial land, once home to the largest rope-maker in the world, with 16km of walking and cycling trails and 26 new or improved bridges and crossings. It also includes flood defences for the local area. The Greenway links to the Comber Greenway (NCN 99) and NCN 93 in Belfast. Distance: 9km Victoria Park

From: Victoria Park, Belfast To: Knock River or Cregagh Glen Classification: Easy Terrain: Tarmac, towpath and some road Scotland The gently undulating Speyside Way is one of four official Kincraig long-distance trails in Scotland – and this is its southern section. Originally opened in 1981, the extension to the route from Aviemore Boat of Garten Aviemore

to Kincraig was completed in 2015 and offers easy cycling along broad gravel paths, with panoramic views across Strathspey to the Cairngorms beyond. Steam trains run parallel to the northern section of the route, between Boat of Garten and Aviemore, with the possibility of catching the train back. There’s heather moor, birch woods, and a section above the river from Speybank into Kincraig. Distance: 12.5 miles From: Kincraig To: Boat of Garten (via Aviemore) Classification: Easy Terrain: Well-made and broad path; suitable for bikes although with some short steep ascents. US America is a big country, with big Chicago cycle routes, and New the Chicago to New York York City bicycle route is no different: it’s 1,866km long with a gargantuan 15,727m of climbing. There’s also “Philadelphia Alternate” route, from Pittsburgh to New York City, which has less climbing and more unpaved rail trails and muddy paths, including the Great Allegheny Passage and a portion of the C&O canal trail in Maryland. You’ll pass through Indianapolis, Columbus and Pittsburgh on roads with up to 10% gradients. Distance: 1,866km From: Lake Michigan shore, Chicago To: Battery Park, New York City Classification: Hard (as it’s so long) Terrain: Paved roads, rail trail, muddy tracks Canada

Switzerland EuroVelo 17, the Rhone cycle route through Geneva Switzerland, is not Switzerland only the shortest route in the EuroVelo network but the newest, having joined last year. In Switzerland EV17 follows the Rhone France

Andermatt


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through the Valais valley, past Alpine pastures and up Furka Pass (2,432m altitude), the route’s pinnacle, to descend past the Rhone glacier. In all, there is 2,500m of ascent and 3,200m of descent. Lac Leman, along whose shores the route skirts, is surrounded by mountains and vineyards. The Swiss part can be completed over eight days. Distance: 350km From: Andermatt, Switzerland To: The French border, west of Geneva Classifi cation: Hard Terrain: Asphalt and “natural surface” South Africa The Cross Cape bike route opened Stellenbosch in Western Cape in May, with Plettenberger Bay eight suggested segments of 77-115km. Riders are advised to do shorter trips and circular rides – especially in summer, when temperatures soar. With 10,461m of climbing over its length, there’s plenty to challenge anyone. The trail runs within the Fynbos, a mountainous belt of Mediterranean-climate heathland known for its exceptional biodiversity, with 6,000 plants found only in this region. The route traverses subtropical forest, skirts the Swartberg mountain range and climbs 11km via hairpin bends on rough roads to the Rooiberg Pass. It also takes in Calitzdorp, famous for its port wine, the historic town of Swellendam and the Cape Winelands. En route, riders can see elephants, meerkats, giraffes and emus. Distance: 742km From: Plettenberg Bay To: Stellenbosch Classifi cation: Hard Terrain: Gravel trails and country roads South Africa

South Carrick Galloway Forest Park

Scotland The Ayrshire Alps are hill climbs in the UK’s only road cycling park, set in the Galloway

forest park in South Ayrshire. Ridden by generations of professional cyclists, leisure roadies can enjoy sensational views on quiet valley roads. Riders can test themselves on 16 climbs, marking off each one on an app. There are suggested routes, from the Shark, with 2,000ft of climbing over 20 miles, to the Dailly 7up, with seven climbs over 60 miles. The founders are now fundraising for permanent signage. Distance: Various From: Various, South Carrick To: Various, South Carrick Classifi cation: Hilly Terrain: Quiet country roads US Route 66 is an Santa iconic driving Monica Chicago route, and now cyclists can enjoy it. Not for the fainthearted, it runs 4,021km from Chicago to LA, with an eye-watering near-27,432m of climbing. It follows bike paths and country roads as well as highways. It passes prairie landscape, the Chain of Rocks bridge, skirts the Ozark mountains, visits Amarillo, and passes through Native American lands. Maximum elevation: 2,407m Distance: 4,021km From: Grant Park, Chicago, Illinois To: Santa Monica Pier, Los Angeles Classifi cation: Extremely hard Terrain: Bike paths, country roads, highways Canada

South Korea Recent improvements Iwan in South Korea’s Port South bike network Korea have resulted in 2,698km of trails and counting. Since 2015, a new route follows the east coast through Gangwon province and will eventually extend 720km south to Busan. The trail follows coastal roads, with plenty of beaches en route. If you ride south to north, you’ll be closer to the coast, and the southern leg is the hilliest. At certification centres Goseong Observatory


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along the route you can get passbooks stamped and use bike pumps. Distance: 242km From: Imwon Port, Samcheok To: Goseong Unifi cation Observatory Classification: Medium Terrain: Coastal roads and bike paths New Zealand Several trails have recently been Thames completed across Pukorokoro New Zealand, one of which is the new section of the 173km-long Hauraki rail trail. Covering 55km of coast from Thames to Pukorokoro Miranda, it has five linked sections which can be completed in three rides. The trail passes the Karangahake Gorge as well as coast and forest, at times using narrow railway tunnels and bridges. Local companies offer bike hire, luggage transfer and accommodation. Another option is the Old Ghost Road, an 85km single-track mountain bike route built through forest and valleys. Distance: 173km From: Thames To: Pukorokoro Miranda Classifi cation: Easy Terrain: Gravel and tarmac trail Auckland

Ridden by pro cyclists, leisure roadies can now enjoy sensational views on quiet valley roads


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▲ Taiwan’s bike network includes a 866km Round the Island route Photograph: Taiwan Tourism Words by Laura Laker


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