On April 19, Bicycle Day is celebrated, a celebration that wants to promote the use of the bicycle as a sustainable and beneficial means of transport for health. Traveling by bicycle is also another way to join this initiative. In today’s post, we explain some of the wonderful routes proposed by more than a dozen cycling writers in the book ” The best bicycle routes in the world “, by Lonely Planet.
The tour of Africa
One of the longest and most fascinating cycle routes in the world, about 12,000 kilometres long, that crosses Africa from north to south. This route begins in Cairo, next to the Giza pyramids, and ends in Cape Town (South Africa). If you do the entire route it can take 4 months, but you can sign up for one or several stages or skip some of them in the assistance trucks that the organization sets up to carry provisions and camping equipment. You are no longer in time for this year’s edition, which started on January 7 and ends on May 5, but you can check the website of the company that organizes it, TDA Global Cycling, for the next edition. For mountain bikes.
Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego (Argentina and Chile)
Crossing all of Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego by bicycle is an adventure. This 1,315-kilometer route connects El Chaltén, in the Argentine Andes, along Ushuaia, through such emblematic places as Mount Fitz-Roy, Punta Arenas, the Strait of Magellan or the Fuegian forests. In almost all the route there are hardly any localities, which gives an idea of the solitude of these remote places where it is difficult to find services and temperatures range between 15 and 18 degrees during the day even in summer. The best time to embark on this adventure coincides with the southern summer, from December to March. For mountain bikes.
Pacific Coast Highway (United States)
This 1,577-kilometer route is one of the mythical ones in the United States. An adventure that goes from Seattle to San Francisco along the west coast and that can be tough due to the great differences in level and the long stretches of asphalt. By cons, this route crosses wonderful landscapes and is full of camping sites and areas where you can sleep every 80 or 90 km. An accessible route throughout the year although the best time is summer and autumn. For bicycle touring bikes.
Mongolia by bike
Mongolia is an ideal country for mountain biking. Only 10% of its roads are paved. The route proposed by the book is 480 kilometres long and runs between Tsetserleg and Tariat, in the Khangai Mountains, in the center of the country. Although you can always expect local hospitality, you must be prepared to spend the night outdoors if you do not find accommodation.
Shimanami Kaido (Japan)
One of the best road bike routes in Japan. A 120-kilometre itinerary that runs through a group of islands, connected by suspension bridges, that form the so-called Seto Inland Sea, in the southwest of the island of Honshu, the largest in the country and where Tokyo and Osaka are. This route is perfectly marked with a blue line and the best time to do it is spring and autumn since summer is very hot.
Bhutan by bicycle
Bhutan, South Asia, in the Himalayas, is one of the least populated and smallest countries in the world. A Buddhist country with monasteries perched in impossible places and where instead of measuring GDP, they have a National Index of Happiness. The route proposed in the book is 318 kilometres long and connects Paro with Jakar, it is a very mountainous itinerary, only suitable for mountain biking. The best time to do it is in autumn and spring.
Munda Biddi (Australia)
“Munda Biddi” means “path through the forest” in the Nyoongar Aboriginal language. 1,000 kilometres along the southwest coast of Australia, between Albany and Perth, which run between magnificent native forests, picturesque river valleys and charming villages. A very hard route, well signposted and with many options to spend the night in campsites and shelters. If you plan to do this wonderful route, we recommend avoiding the southern summer (January and February).
You know, if you are passionate about cycling, get the book ” The best routes in the world by bicycle ” and plan your next route around the world!