Cycling in United Kingdom
28 spots written up in United Kingdom, across every type of ride.
Bealach na Ba, the UK's highest road climb
Climbing the Bealach na Ba from Tornapress in the Scottish Highlands: the UK's highest road, hairpins and 20% gradients, all the way to Applecross.
United KingdomBox Hill, the Olympic climb on London's doorstep
Climbing Box Hill via the Zig Zag Road from Dorking: profile, the London 2012 Olympics circuit, difficulty and practical tips.
Buttertubs Pass: the 2014 Tour de France Grand Départ climb in the Yorkshire Dales
Climbing Buttertubs Pass from Hawes: 4.6 km, 250 m of elevation gain, 5.4% average — the first categorised climb of the 2014 Tour de France in Yorkshire.
Bwlch y Groes: the Welsh wall known as 'Hellfire Pass' from Llanymawddwy
Climbing Bwlch y Groes from Llanymawddwy: 3.4 km, 387 m of elevation gain, 11.3% average, up to 24% in places, on the edge of Snowdonia.
Cairnwell Pass: Britain's highest main road
Climbing Cairnwell Pass from Spittal of Glenshee: 8.4 km, 352 m of elevation gain, 4.2% average — Britain's highest A-road.
Camel Trail: Cornwall's family-friendly cycle path
Riding the Camel Trail between Padstow and Bodmin: a flat, traffic-free former railway line, the quintessential family cycling route in Cornwall.
United KingdomCat and Fiddle: the legendary road of the Peak District
Climbing Cat and Fiddle from Macclesfield: profile, England's second-highest pub, difficulty and practical tips.
United KingdomCycling Cheddar Gorge: Somerset's limestone cliffs
Climb Cheddar Gorge from Cheddar village: 4.6 km at 4.2% average, between limestone cliffs and prehistoric caves.
United KingdomCycling Fleet Moss from Hawes: the highest paved road in Yorkshire
Climb Fleet Moss from Hawes: 6.2 km at 5.6% average up to 588 m, the highest road in the Yorkshire Dales.
Cycling Holme Moss: the Peak District moor made famous by the Tour de France
Climb Holme Moss from Holmbridge: 4.7 km at 7.3% average, the Yorkshire ascent made famous by the Tour de France's 2014 Grand Départ.
Ditchling Beacon: the legendary climb of the London to Brighton
Climbing Ditchling Beacon from Brighton: 1.45 km, 143 m of elevation gain, the highest point in East Sussex and highlight of the London to Brighton Bike Ride.
Gospel Pass: the highest road in Wales
Climbing Gospel Pass from Hay-on-Wye: 8.5 km, 464 m of elevation gain, up to the highest paved road in Wales through the Black Mountains.
United KingdomGravel riding in the Cairngorms, Scotland's Caledonian forest
Gravel riding in the Cairngorms from Aviemore: forest tracks, Caledonian forest, a reindeer herd, practical tips.
Great Dun Fell: England's highest road, in the Pennines
Climbing Great Dun Fell from Knock: 7.4 km, 631 m of elevation gain, 8.6% average — up to the highest paved road in England.
Hardknott Pass, England's steepest road
Climbing Hardknott Pass from Eskdale, in the Lake District: profile, gradients over 30%, a Roman fort, difficulty and practical tips.
Honister Pass: the steepest ramp in the Lake District
Climbing Honister Pass between Borrowdale and Buttermere: 2.5 km, 190 m of elevation gain, the steepest ascent in England's Lake District.
Horseshoe Pass: the classic Welsh climb from Llangollen
Climbing Horseshoe Pass from Llangollen, Wales: 7 km, 365 m of elevation gain, 5.2% average — a Tour of Britain classic.
Kirkstone Pass (The Struggle): the Lake District's brutal wall
Climbing Kirkstone Pass from Ambleside via The Struggle: 4.5 km, 385 m of elevation gain, 8.5% average — England's highest road pass open to traffic.
Long Mynd: Shropshire's steepest hillclimb via the Burway
Climbing the Long Mynd from Church Stretton via the Burway: 4 km, 288 m of elevation gain, 7.2% average, with ramps near 20% on a single-track lane.
Porlock Hill: England's steepest A-road
Climbing Porlock Hill from Porlock: 3.9 km, 366 m of elevation gain, ramps up to 25% — reputedly England's steepest A-road.
Rest and Be Thankful: the historic Highlands pass from Cairndow
Climbing Rest and Be Thankful from Cairndow: around 5 km, 238 m of elevation gain — an evocatively named Scottish pass in the Arrochar Alps.
Rosedale Chimney Bank: the steepest road in the North York Moors
Climbing Rosedale Chimney Bank from Rosedale Abbey: 1.3 km, 173 m of elevation gain, up to 33% gradient — one of England's steepest roads.
Snake Pass: the iconic Peak District road between Sheffield and Manchester
Climbing Snake Pass from Glossop: 8.5 km, 340 m of elevation gain, 4% average — a classic scenic road across England's Peak District.
United KingdomThe Elan Valley by bike with the family, among lakes and Victorian dams
A family bike ride through the Elan Valley from Rhayader: former-railway trail, spectacular dams, distance and practical tips.
The Norfolk Broads by bike with kids, between rivers and windmills
A family bike loop through the Norfolk Broads from Wroxham: flat country lanes, historic windmills, practical tips.
Trough of Bowland: the wild crossing of Lancashire
Riding the Trough of Bowland: 9 km through a protected Lancashire moorland, a rolling road used by the Tour of Britain.
Winnats Pass, the legendary limestone gorge of English hill-climbing
Climbing Winnats Pass from Castleton: 1.9 km at up to 20% through a dramatic limestone gorge, historic home of the British hill climb championship.
Wrynose Pass, Hardknott's explosive companion
Climbing Wrynose Pass from Little Langdale, in the Lake District: profile, gradients over 20%, difficulty and practical tips.