When you think of the best routes to ride your motorbike, you’ll be imagining long stretches of picturesque countryside, roads with a panoramic view or a leafy rural retreat. You’re probably not thinking about taking a tour of an inner-city area. Too much congestion, too much hassle and not enough scenery. Well, prepare to think again. Here are some UK cities that offer ideal biking facilities and some pretty good sights along the way.
Riding in London
This is probably the last place on your list of places to tour and while it is one of the most congested cities in the world, the sights make it worth the while. Who could resist taking in Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and Tower Bridge? You’ll also find the London Motorcycle Museum in West London – even more reason to visit. There’s not much more satisfying than cruising through Notting Hill, Knightsbridge or Marble Arch on a beautiful sunny day.
Taking a ride through the square mile of the City on the weekend is normally quiet as it’s not a residential area. Other top suggestions include a visit to one of the top biker cafes in the city – the Ace Café located on the North Circular. Parking your bike is much easier in London and normally free, plus you won’t have to pay the congestion charge if you’re on two wheels.
York
Being such an ancient city, the narrow streets make it difficult for cars to get about but are ideal for bike riding. An additional bonus is the many free parking bays available for bikes. Where there is a motorcycle symbol in a bus lane, you can also ride in that lane too.
As a base, York is perfect for heading out and experiencing the dales and moors of the county. The vast stretches of open land make for a great touring opportunity, and there’s the added temptation of a trip to East Coast Motorcycle World biking superstore not far from York itself. Be sure to include classic bike servicing in your tour preparations.
Edinburgh
The capital of Scotland makes an ideal base for touring the country. The rugged beauty of the surrounding countryside, the quiet winding roads and the sheer number of places of historical interest make it a biker’s paradise. The views are incredible, the hospitality warm and you’ll also be treated to some awesome biker-friendly establishments on route.
Parking for bikes is free in Edinburgh and there are 120 dedicated bike parking bays available across the city. Be sure to head for the Bikers Cove, close to the Forth Bridge at South Queensferry, a well-known meeting place for bikers.
Cardiff
Like most other cities, there are plenty of dedicated parking spaces for bikes and all of them free of charge. Cardiff is an attractive city, with sights including the castle, the impressive civic buildings and Cardiff Bay. It’s also a great base for exploring one of the best riding routes – the A470 Cardiff to Llandudno. This route includes two separate coastlines and two national parks.
The road gets increasingly exciting as it passes over the Brecon Beacons. The route also takes in Snowdonia on a 185-mile tour of fascinating variety and diverse scenery.