Despite the country's roads being littered with wheel-breaking potholes, egregious speed limits and drivers with a specific blindness for motorcycles, there are still plenty of places to really enjoy some time with your bike. I'm sure each of us has a favourite road or route; one for which we've memorised every inch of surface, every degree of camber and every spot where there's a high chance of finding a dead fox. While it's fun to repeat these familiar routes, it's good to get out there, do some exploring and try new routes. With that in mind, we've compiled a small list of roads and routes you need to try.
B645, B660
Location: Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire
Distance: 13 miles
Duration: 22 minutes
We'll start proceeding with a very short route because you won't always have time to embark on an epic 400-mile adventure. The route starts at the Eaton Oak public house in St Neots, Cambridgeshire. From there, head north-west on the B645 through Hail Weston and Great Staughton and then, just as you're about to reach Kimbolton, turn left onto the B660. Follow the B660 through Pertenhall and Keysoe before ending at The Plough in Bolnhurst.
If you stick to the speed limits, you should be able to complete the route in around 22 minutes with clear roads, but as it's very popular with both motorcycle and car enthusiasts, it can get quite busy on summer Sundays. It's also quite popular with both marked and unmarked police motorcyclists, so you'll want to avoid going too nuts.
The route is a nice mix of flowing corners, tight bends and straight sections just long enough to hit a rev-limiter. If you fancy a longer version, you can skip the B660 turning on the way out and follow the B645 to Chelveston. Once you've reached Chelveston, you can turn around and then hit the B660 on the return leg. Alternatively, you can turn right onto the B661 in Great Staughton and head out towards Grafham Water for ice cream and coffee. There are plenty of entertaining roads to discover in the area, and they all spawn off the B645.
A537
Location: Derbyshire, Cheshire
Distance: 9.7 miles
Duration: 20 minutes
You knew this route would appear in the list so we may as well get it out of the way early on. The A537 from Buxton to Macclesfield is more commonly known as the Cat & Fiddle road, named after the Cat & Fiddle Inn along the route, which hold the title of being the 2nd highest pub in the UK.
However, this route isn't what it once was. Due to a horrifying amount of accidents, resulting in major injuries and death of motorcyclists, the route is now covered by a blanket 50mph speed limit and monitored by average speed cameras. Nevertheless, despite the measures to calm down the more 'adventurous' episodes of high-speed riding, the A537 is still worth a look. The flowing bends and tight corners punctuate epic views across Derbyshire and Cheshire, and with both the Cat & Fiddle Inn and Peak View Tea Rooms available for refreshments, it's a great place to enjoy good riding, stunning scenery and plenty of refreshments.
It's only a short route of around ten miles but once you've completed it, there's nothing to stop you from turning around and doing it in reverse. As with the other routes in this list, expect a strong police presence during the summer months and try not to get too carried away.
A39
Location: Somerset, Devon
Distance: 36.3 miles
Duration: 1 hour, 15 minutes
If you want a route that takes a little more time - and that most likely includes the amount of time it would take to reach the starting point - look no further than the A39 between Minehead and Barnstaple. It's a route chocked full of stunning scenery, punctuated by picturesque villages and connected by entertaining and involving roads.
However, due to its appeal, it also tends to be a magnet for caravans. I know that we, as bikers, tend to have enough power to deal with most overtakes in a safe and efficient manner, but when there's a trail of caravans wheezing their way up the 1:4 gradient Porlock Hill, it can still present a frustrating challenge. Nevertheless, it's best not to let these things spoil your day and there are plenty of overtaking opportunities outside of these danger zones.
If you're fortunate enough to not get caught up in holiday traffic, you'll be treated to the best of Exmoor. If you need a break en route, there are plenty of places to stop for a brew, and if you need a bit of a longer break, there are more National Trust properties than you can shake a rustic stick at.
A470
Location: South Glamorgan, Denbighshire
Distance: 180 miles
Duration: 4 hours, 11 minutes
Things are getting a little more serious now. This particular route isn't one you're going to take on a whim. At over 190 miles long and passing through two rather stunning national parks, you'll want to set aside at least five hours if you're going to have a couple of stops along the way.
Starting in Cardiff, the first part of the trip won't be that much fun as you negotiate heavy urban and suburban traffic, but stick with it. It won't be long until you're riding through Merthyr Tydfil and the Brecon Beacons national park. Much of the route is covered by 50mph speed limits and double white lines, but there are still plenty of those round white signs with a black diagonal stripe for when you want to twist the wrist a bit more. However, the police are also very aware of how popular the route is, so you'll need to exercise a certain amount of restraint and caution.
The second half of the four-hour epic takes you through the Snowdonia national park, where you'll witness some of the greatest scenery Wales has to offer. Play your cards right, and you might even be able to complete the route without rain. If you manage to achieve that, I'd advise you to buy a lottery ticket once you reach Llandudno for fish and chips.
North Coast 500
Location: Most of northern Scotland
Distance: 516 miles
Duration: A good few days, probably
Last but by no means least is the North Coast 500. You've possibly heard of it before, but in essence, it's a 516-mile tour of northern Scotland, taking in Inverness, Ullapool, Applecross, Loch Torridon, Durness, and John O'Groats, among others. Unless you're particularly masochistic, you won't attempt to complete this route in a single day. This is a trip about adventure and exploration, comprising a heady mix of great roads and better scenery.
With a starting point several hundred miles above the border with England, the route takes you around Scotland's coast, passing through the most northern point of the country. As you'd expect for such a long, sprawling route, there's a lot to see and do whilst you're on your travels, and far more than I can pack into a handful of paragraphs. Thankfully, there's a swish website dedicated to the North Coast 500, detailing everything you could want to and need to know for your epic motorcycle tour: https://www.northcoast500.com/
Whether you decide to ride solo, with a pillion or with friends, it's guaranteed to be a holiday you won't forget. If you love bikes, have a sense of adventure, and have a penchant for good food and drink, the North Coast 500 is a must. Sure, it'll take you a week, and you'll most likely encounter some terrible weather, but what else are you going to do with a week off? Go to Butlins? I don't think so.
