If you think that getting out on your motorcycle is the perfect way to enjoy the weekend, then I do not blame you. The UK has some incredible roads for those who ride for pleasure. These roads offer us riders the chance to experience something that is a little bit out of the ordinary. Here’s my list of ten of the roads that I think are among the best roads in the UK for motorcycle enthusiasts.
Hardknott Pass
Hardknott Pass, which can be found in the heart of the Lake District, is a white knuckle ride through some of the country’s most spectacular scenery. The route travels from Eskdale down through the Duddon Valley towards the sea. With a gradient of 1 in 3 at parts, this road also shares the title of the steepest road in the country. Be aware that this road may be closed in the Winter months, because icy conditions make the road nearly impassable.
The A82
The A82 runs from Glasgow to Inverness past some of Scotland’s most dramatic scenery. Enjoy Loch Lomond, Glencoe and Fort William as you travel up the country. You will even have chance to hunt for legendary monster Nessie as you ride past Loch Ness. The road is well-known as an amazing driving route, so you will find plenty of motels, guesthouses and campsites if you are looking to spend time savouring the experience.
The Cat and Fiddle, A537
The Cat and Fiddle is a great short ride for the weekend, as long as you are able to hold your nerve. The route spans just 7miles from Buxton to Macclesfield, but the scenic route is limited to 50 mph. Believe me, you wouldn’t want to try riding much faster than this anyway! Blind hairpin bends and the tendency for livestock to stray onto the road means that extreme caution is required at all times.
The Horseshoe Pass
The Horseshoe Pass (A542) (otherwise known as the “Pass of the Cold Stream”) is an exciting route for Welsh riders to try out. The road travels up one side of the valley and then down the other in a horseshoe formation. Enjoy refreshments and the views at the Ponderosa Café, which sits at the highest point on the pass. Be aware that this road is often closed in inclement weather, due to snowfall and landslides.
Titterstone Clee
The A4117 over Titterstone Clee Hill takes you through the uplands section of the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It reaches altitudes of 1250 ft and the views from the summit stretch out towards the Malvern Hills and the Welsh mountains. Be aware that the road passes through open grazing land, so sheep may be liable to stride out in front of your bike.
Antrim Coast Road
This 60mph coastal road offers motorbike enthusiasts a bit of everything. The winding road offers phenomenal riding, whereas the views are sublime. At the end of the road, you will reach the fantastical Giant’s Causeway. There are plenty of other amazing roads off of the A2 once you have completed the trip, so you can make a great holiday out of this.
Thurso to Durness
The Thurso to Durness route is a great opportunity to see some of the remotest and most unusual scenery in the UK. The route skirts along the very top of Great Britain, and gives a more manageable alternative to the traditional Lands End to John O’Grouts challenge. You will pass some beautiful beaches and amazing wildlife areas en route.
Cheddar Gorge B3135
Cheddar Gorge has been voted as one of the top 5 natural wonders in the UK. Take this opportunity to see it whilst enjoying a great motorcycle ride. There are some challenging twists and turns down into the gorge, which produce thrilling riding. It is best to hit this route at the break of day before things start to get busy.
Pass of the Cross (Bwch-y-Groes)
This pass is the highest public road in North Wales, but this is not the only draw. The famous road was historically used as a test route for a number of leading motorbike manufacturers, including Triumph. The varied nature of the road means that it will put both bike and rider to the test. The road is single track for some of the way and includes a double hairpin bend near to the bottom.
The Lang Whang
This route runs from Edinburgh to Ayr over 74 miles of desolate moorland. If you get lucky you will find the route is almost deserted when you do it. It is a wonderful route for an early morning ride. Much of the route is over 1000 feet above sea level, and there is plenty of rise and fall throughout the course of the journey.