Ride down the Beatles' Penny Lane, cross the width of Devon from coast to coast and discover Kent's wonderful gardens at your leisure: The UK has plenty to offer for cyclists. City-loving biking enthusiasts and off-road adventurers alike can rely on excellent signage for navigation, as well as invaluable information on the Sustrans and GPS routes websites.

In Liverpool

You don't have to choose between nature and culture in Liverpool. Culturally, the home of the Beatles embraces the spirit of the 60s, with an electric bike tour dedicated to the legendary band. The 25-kilometer ride takes you down Penny Lane, then past Strawberry Field's red gate – the former Salvation Army orphanage now open to the public – and John Lennon's birthplace in the village of Woolton. Nicknamed "Mendips," it was purchased by Yoko Ono in 2002, who then donated it to the National Trust, the British heritage preservation organization. In terms of nature, the Liverpool Loop Line is ideal for families: it's a 17-kilometer greenway along the old railway line in northeast Liverpool. It's worth noting that you no longer need to look for city bikes any more; they were replaced by the Voi app's "Explorer 2" electric bikes at the end of 2022.

A trip to Swansea

The small port city of Swansea, Wales, is proud to be a "cycle-friendly city" where you can travel by bike in complete safety. From the historic center to the tip of Mumbles, the Victorian seaside resort that closes off the bay, a cycle path follows the old tramway line along the seafront. Ideal for families, this 10-kilometer ride leads to the spectacular ruins of Oystermouth Castle and to beaches such as Bracelet Bay and its pretty lighthouse. You can also explore the Gower Peninsula to the west. Gower was the first place in the UK to be designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, back in 1956. Easily accessible by bike, Rhossili Bay's long stretch of golden sand is perfect for surfing, playing in the sand or watching the sunset.

From Ilfracombe to Plymouth, on the Route 27

Picture a perfectly vertical line between the small seaside town of Ilfracombe on Devon's north coast, and the city of Plymouth on its southern coast. This is the English section of EuroVelo 1, a route that runs from Norway to Portugal. The French section is known as the Vélodyssée. Here, it's the National Cycle Route 27, which runs along former railroad lines. It initially follows Woolacombe beach, then wends its way through the countryside. From tunnels to viaducts, you'll reach the granite landscapes and forests of Dartmoor National Park, before returning to the city and Plymouth Bay. For those in search of an athletic challenge, try cycling the 150 kilometers from one coast of Devon to the other in a single stretch, and then compare your time with other Route 27 cyclists.

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