We’re at a funny point in time where it’s not very simple to go abroad without running into issues, it was the B-word worrying people last year but right now it’s the C-word! Only Saturday it was announced that going to Spain would result in being quarantined on your return to the UK, and the risk is there for anywhere else you might go to outside the UK. Spain is an excellent biking destination with direct ferries from the UK that are great for bikers looking to take their own bikes to warmer climes, so it’s quite a blow that this is no longer an option for most.
What to do then? It’s very easy to forget what we have in our own backyard, and that is exactly what we propose – explore that backyard. Some of Europe’s finest roads and vistas are actually within the four countries of the United Kingdom with the least risk of getting caught in any lockdowns or quarantines possible for the UK biker.
Hotels, B&Bs and campsites are reopening in a lot of places nationwide, with cafes and restaurants following suit – the roads never closed so you’ve got all the ingredients necessary for a great motorcycle tour without the need for a flight, ferry or train under the Channel. Of course, there is a fair chance the weather you’ll get won’t be quite as inviting as that of the Costa del Sol, however with most accommodation not fully booked anywhere near as early as usual you’ve got a lot more flexibility in terms of watching the weather and booking quite late.
Where to go though? Depending on where you live and how far you want to go you’ve got a great range of places on offer in the UK. If you’ve got the time and budget to go further afield then taking a long trip to somewhere you’d never otherwise visit is highly recommended, whether that be in the Scottish Highlands or maybe even crossing the Irish Sea.
A great way to plan a motorcycle tour is around the roads you want to ride, with the actual cities and destinations coming second, especially if you’re rarely able to go further afield by bike. What roads are worth your time though? Read on to find out.
Starting at the centre of England in the Peak District no list of motorcycle rides in the UK would be complete without mentioning the Cat and Fiddle, or A357. It’s infamous thanks to the number of bikers who overcooked one of its many twists and turns, and as a result it’s now subject to a rather strict 50mph average speed limit. Don’t let that put you off though – 50mph on the straighter sections allows you to comfortably take in your stunning surroundings, while the tighter sections will mean 50mph won’t be possible unless you’re taking your life into your own hands on a supersport. Enjoy the road for what it is, chock-full of enjoyable bends and its mostly excellent road surface – it even has a pub at the top which thankfully reopened recently after poor trading.
Moving all the way north, the North Coast 500 is a road that many UK bikers won’t see thanks to the distance you might have to ride to get there. Intersecting Inverness it’s a hefty ride for any bikers based in England, let alone those down on the South Coast! For somewhere that doesn’t feel like densely populated England and to truly escape the cities of the UK there are few routes like this that will make you feel like you’ve left the day-to-day behind. So famous it even has its own website (http://www.northcoast500.com/) it can become a little busy at the height of summer, potentially September or October might suit better if you’re a rider who despises traffic (who doesn’t!) A 5-day ride is recommended to take in all the 500 miles (ish) the NC500 has to offer, although it can be done in 3. 5 days offers plenty of time to stop wherever you please and explore side-roads.
If you’re based in Great Britain then logic dictates it’s unlikely you’ve ridden your bike in our Irish neighbour, and fair to say you’ve been missing out! There are no travel restrictions between Britain and Northern Ireland right now, and it’s likely to remain the case, while you’ll have to isolate for two weeks if you go to the southern Republic of Ireland directly from Great Britain. It is possible to get into the ROI quarantine-free via Northern Ireland, although you can bet questions will be asked about your numberplate so do so at your own risk. The Antrim Coast is home to a superb coastal road that’s often quiet and truly rural. The A2 hugging the coast from Larne and passing the world-famous Giants Causeway is everything a challenging biking route should be – amazing views, quiet (mostly) and full of bends.
Moving back to Britain and into Wales – we're going to spend a bit of time in the Brecon Beacons in the south of the country. Chock full of glorious roads and views this is a proper biking paradise – we'll ignore the amount of rain the place gets every year! Well within a day’s ride of most of England and the rest of Wales this could be an ideal destination to get away from the urban hustle and bustle, or maybe just to get away from your own house after spending so much time stuck indoors! A personal favourite of mine from living near Bristol for day trips into Wales is the Black Mountain Pass, or A4069 situated at the western end of the Brecon Beacons national park. Stonking views and a great surface make for a brilliant ride in either direction. If you’re looking to go further afield the A483 between Bulith Wells and Newtown is a proper rip-roaring ride through the Welsh countryside while the A470 will take you all the way to Snowdonia.
Wales does have different restrictions at present so be sure to check before you travel, however hotels and B&Bs are open alongside a fair few restaurants. It’s probably worth avoiding Snowdonia at the moment thanks to a lot of people descending specifically there and ditching their cars on main roads. Bikers have a huge advantage in that they don’t contribute to traffic in the same ways as cars, but be mindful of any parking restrictions that might be in place as the population of the UK looks to escape their living rooms and back gardens!
The Bike Stop shop in Stevenage has reopened in accordance with the latest Government guidelines, and we're open for 7 days a week. Our online shop is also still alive and well and taking orders. We’re even doing a 10% off promotion – just enter the code ‘TOGETHER’ at checkout. You can check out our full range on our website with free delivery for any order over £50 on the UK mainland, and delivery possible to almost anywhere else. Not only that but our ‘No Quibble’ returns policy allows for returns within a 365 day period – see our returns page for more details.
