Cycling in the UK

St Katharine Docks, London, UK

If you are a person who likes to have some exercise while on vacation, a bike tour of a city or a longer cycling tour could be for you!

Last year I was in London with a friend who is used to walking or running everyday so we decided to book a half day bike trip.  We had planned for the half day organized trip around London's landmarks.  However, that morning was the 80th anniversary of VE Day (Victory in Europe) and the roads were blocked off around Westminster Abbey and the Parliament Buildings.  We were offered the afternoon organized trip starting at Waterloo station, going by Bank Station and Mansion House to St Katharine Docks and the East End of London, back over London Bridge, by Borough Market, the Globe theatre and the Southbank. It was an unforgettable trip and we saw and learned a lot in a short period of time.  There is nothing like hearing the history of a place from a local. What we do remember the most from this day was cycling over London Bridge in heavy traffic.

There is quite a bit of choice of bike trips on offer. In London, there are numerous half day trips through various parts of the city.  Other cities have bike tours as well.  On line, I found city tours in Liverpool, York, and Bristol as well as ones on the south coast of England such as in Weymouth and to Corfe Castle.  Many of these tours are listed on Trip Advisor.

Outside of London, there are cycle trips lasting a week or longer.  Some tours go around very pretty areas such as the Cotswolds, Oxford and Bath.  There are other tours that go coast to coast and a very rigorous one that lasts 13 days that goes through 5 countries - England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland.  Check out websites such as wildernessengland.com, wildernessscotland.com and activeengland.com.  Guided, self-guided and private tours are all available.  Some are marked road cycle tours, others are gravel road tours and e bike tours are offered as well.

What a fun way to explore the UK!  I would recommend looking into one of these tours before you embark on a journey to the UK.