Gamers have Akihabara, gamblers Las Vegas, sports fans have Casas de apuestas con bono, and cyclists have amazing paths around the world, as they are not constrained to a single place. Here are some biking paths that should be on your bucket list.
The Friendship Highway
Say what you want about China, they have some wonderful land that just waits for hordes of cyclists to rush over. There are 500 miles of Friendship Highway between Lhasa in Tibet and the border with Nepal. Granted, some might not enjoy this path, as some sections of it are bleak and the challenge might be too much to take on at first, but it is, without a doubt, one of the best cycling paths in the world.
North Sea Cycle Route
This path is not set in a single country, so get your passport ready. Go through England, Scotland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands and/or Belgium for the ultimate and chilly enjoyment. Almost 4000 miles are there for your pleasure and, if you are really tough, you might be able to do it in one go. Many have tried, but we have no records of anyone succeeding in this challenge. However, we don’t recommend this if you have a full-time job or if you don’t want to spend your entire holiday and then some on a bicycle.
Van Gogh-Roosegaarde Bicycle Path
Should you give up your dream of conquering the North Sea Cycle Route and happen to be in the Netherlands, we recommend visiting the Van Gogh-Roosegaarde Bicycle Path, created for the 125th anniversary of the artist’s death. The path is very short, not even a full mile, but its beauty is unparalleled because it was inspired by The Starry Night and is a joy to ride on at night when the solar-powered lights illuminate the path.
Shimanami Kaido
Another relatively short path of merely 40 miles, the Shimanami Kaido runs through the Hiroshima prefecture of Japan (yes, that Hiroshima and yes, it’s safe). The wonderful thing about this path is that you can take your family with you and you don’t even need your own bike to experience the scene. There are many places along the path where you can rent a bicycle. It is possible to complete the whole thing in a single day, but few choose to do so, as this path is for the scenic enjoyment and not a time-trial challenge.
South Downs Way
Last, but not least, is the South Downs Way that will test your mettle. There are over 2.5 miles of uphill pedaling for those that believe they have what it takes. The 99 mile-route is open to everybody: cyclists, horse-riders, and pedestrians. Take your time and enjoy the nature around you.
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