Top 5 motorcycle rides in the UK

When it comes to rewarding getaways, motorcyclists have it lucky. The combination of the open road and open air make motorcycle tours one of the best ways to enjoy what a country has to offer. The UK is a paradise for such routes, combining great facilities and roads with stunning countryside. The truth is there are hundreds of routes to enjoy but we have picked our five favourite below.

The Isle of Man TT Route

This island in the Irish Sea is motorcycle Mecca, home to the greatest motorcycle race in the world: the Isle of Man TT. The route the race takes is short, coming in at just under 38 miles, but the history, scenery, breath taking corners and quality of riding is second to none. This clockwise circuit from Douglas is a must. With hair-raising turns and no speed limits on much of the route, making sure your Swinton bike insurance or, if you’re lucky enough, classic bike insurance is up-to-date would be wise.

Glasgow to Inverness

Technically this is just a trip up the A82 between Scotland’s biggest (and most fun) city and the gateway to the Highlands, but mundane this 167-mile ride most certainly isn’t. With good road conditions throughout you have ample opportunity to enjoy incredible countryside, the highlights of which are Loch Lomond and Loch Ness (see if you can resist stopping off for a glimpse of Nessy) and the 1,000-metre peaks this majestic, sweeping road clings to the side of.

Blackpool to Sunderland

The Lake District in the North West offers an array of scenic rides but the presence of so many tourists can detract. Instead, if you are after an outstanding northern riding experience, take advantage of the twisting corners that take you on a 140-mile route from Blackpool on the West coast all the way to Sunderland on the North Sea. The road quality is excellent, as is the scenery, with the stretch through the Yorkshire Dales a definite highlight.

Horsham to Hastings

England’s South Coast provides plenty of beautiful biking routes, and this 65-mile stretch between Horsham in Sussex to Hastings on the Kent coast is one of the absolute best. There is the opportunity to really open up the throttle but, alas, there are also speed cameras that mean great straights come with a dose of narrow. Don’t let that put you off, though: brilliant scenery, visibility and road surfaces more than make up for it. And Brighton is only a very minor detour if you want to make a weekend of it.

Barnstaple and Exmoor National Park

This figure-of-eight tour stretches just under 90 miles and provides one of the most memorable riding anywhere in the country. When leaving and re-entering Barnstaple on this three-and-a-bit-hour tour, you might be hampered by a bit of traffic and the occasional camera, but simultaneous views of the coast and National Park more than make up for it. On top of the steep climbs and drops, you get an added treat when you reach the headland at Croyde. Expect corners, road surface and visibility to match the views.