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The Isle of Wight has long been regarded by those in-the-know as one of the
best places to cycle in the UK.
'Bicycle Island', as it is often called,
boasts mile upon mile of off-road tracks and quiet country lanes, many
passing through Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a national
classification given to more than half the Isle of Wight's varied landscape.
Some routes are decidedly challenging - with serious pedal power required
to negotiate the steep gradients on the Island's high downs. Others are easy
rides on level ground, through national nature reserves, past river
estuaries and around the forest home of the red squirrel.
It's these easier routes that we have chosen to present as a series of
leisurely bike rides in Easy Peasy Pedalling. Together with
Island 2000 Trust,
the conservation body dedicated to protecting - and promoting - the Isle of
Wight's natural landscape, we have plotted six cycle routes covering all
corners of the Isle of Wight.
For each of the six routes we flag up its length and rate its level of
difficulty so that you can judge for yourself whether it is suitable for
you, your friends or family. The routes are traced both pictorially on an
illustrated map and with written directions. Alongside these, information is
provided on parking facilities, places of interest to visit en-route and
refreshment stops.
Wightlink has a long history of supporting cycling on the Isle of Wight.
We sponsor the annual White Air Extreme Sports Festival, held every October
and featuring mountain biking as one of the endurance tests, and we publish
our own Extreme Sports guide, available free. But we also want to encourage
leisure visitors to enjoy the Island's fantastic cycling opportunities so we
carry bicycles free on our three ferry routes - from Portsmouth or Lymington
for cars and from Portsmouth Harbour for foot passengers.
Cycling is a great outdoor activity for both friends and family - and a
healthy one too - so we hope that you will enjoy trying out the six
contrasting Easy Peasy Pedalling routes. |
