Great Biking Routes

Retirement and Biking

 

It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle. ~ Ernest Hemingway

The following are ten great biking routes:
Retirement and Biking- Isle of Wight Isle of Wight England

The Isle of Wight is an island on the southern coast of England with 6 villages and over 200 miles of biking routes and paths. The island provides for both casual and mountain biking from the fairly flat 62 miles around the island route to rugged trails near Shanklin. Over half of the Isle of Wight is designated as an ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’ and there are nearly 30 miles of ‘Heritage Coastline’. The island hosts an annual week-long Cycling Festival

 
Retirement and Biking-Friuli-Venezia Giulia Friuli-Venezia Giulia Italy

Friuli Venezia Giulia, a region tucked in the northeast corner of Italy, displays the cultural influences of centuries of Venetian, Austrian, and Slavic occupation. The area produces some of Italy’s finest white wines, hams and coffee . The various bike routes lead through scenic villages, miles of spectacular wine producing countryside and to seaside towns including Trieste. The region also provides spectacular hiking and skiing and beautiful beaches.

 
Retirement and Biking-Danube Cycle Danube Cycle Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary

The Danube cycle path follows the Danube River which runs through ten countries for approximately 1800 miles. The path begins in Germany and ends in the Black Sea with the best developed paths running through the four countries listed above. The varying cultural changes, historical landmarks and spectacular scenery from flatlands to mountains make this a truly remarkable adventure.

 
Retirement and Biking-West Coast Tasmania West Coast Tasmania, Australia

Tasmania, an island off the coast of Australia, is considered one of the top biking regions of the world. The West Coast includes mountain ranges, beaches, lush forests and incredible waterfalls. The scenery here is stunning and includes the World Heritage Cradle Mountain national park, beautiful Lake St. Clair and Montezuma Falls. The biking varies from easy to intermediate near the coast to fairly strenuous in the mountainous areas.

 
Retirement and Biking-Alpe d'Huez Alpe d’Huez France

L’Alpe d’Huez is one of the main mountains in the Tour de France. The actual Tour de France route is for the serious biker due to its various steep inclines. There are other bike routes here that are less strenuous and can be navigated by the intermediate biker. The bike routes are worth the effort providing stunning views of the French Alps, mountain pastures, lakes and quaint villages at the valley floor. A resort at the top of the mountain caters to skiers in the winter and mountain bikers in the summer months.

 
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