Enjoy National Bike Week with Kayak.co.uk

With summer well and truly underway many of us are thinking about how to make the most of the warm weather, who knows how long it will last! For some of us it’s an opportunity to catch some rays, for others it’s a time to get out and be active in the great outdoors. For those active types, grab your water bottle and energy bars - 14-22 June is National Bike week, the UK’s biggest annual promotion of cycling and all things bike-related.

Don’t worry, you don’t need to shave your legs or qualify for the Tour de France, the week provides the perfect opportunity for cycling enthusiasts and novices alike to have fun, get fit, and feel free. See bikeweek.org.uk for more details.

Ever lovers of outdoor pursuits, Kayak.co.uk has compiled a list of destinations known for great cycling. So saddle up, rub some grease on your bike chain and check out these destinations for the ride of your life. The ‘helmet head’ is totally worth it.

Get a summary of airfares to these destinations by using the Kayak.co.uk Trip Ideas section. From there you can easily use the Kayak.co.uk award winning Fare Buzz to get a snapshot of airfare prices to locations from your home airport.

Brittany, France

Make sure you pack your go–faster-racing-stripes; the back roads of Brittany are great for exhilarating cycle rides along a picturesque coastline. Whilst on route why not stop off at one of the many seaside villages where friendly cafes or cool creperies are sure to tickle your taste buds after all that cycling. If all this doesn’t wet your appetite then head on over to the tidal island of Le-Mont St Michel, with its ancient granite structures this is the most visited attraction in France. For those who really want to soak up the spirit of region, make sure to venture into the Brocéliande forest, also known as the mythical heart of Brittany.

Flights from London from £199 with Air France, leaving on 23 August, returning on 30 August.

Morocco

What better location to experience a desert cycling adventure than in the deep south of Morocco. Pack those skimpy Lycra shorts and puncture repair kit and take a trip along the dirt roads against the amazing backdrops of the snow-capped mountains before descending along the Draa Valley to the fringes of the Sahara Desert. Unwinding after this thrilling desert experience is as easy as indulging in some local cuisine in the old Medina of Marrakech before heading off to enjoy watching the local belly dancers – one of the oldest forms of evening entertainment the desert has to offer.

Flights from London from £108 with EasyJet, leaving on 29 September, returning on 11 October.

Chile

Make sure you pack your cycling shoes; this is an incredible location for all those thrill seeking biking buffs. From the sublime scenery of the high Andes, with its Volcanoes and ancient culture, to the mountains, lakes and glaciers of Patagonia. Why not end your biking trip with a final night of festivities in Chile’s most southern city, Punta Arenas. Or for those who need more of a chill out session after all that cycling, head to Vina del Mar and rendezvous by the beach before winding down in one of the many seafood restaurants.

Flights form London from £480 with Iberia, leaving on 02 June, returning on 16 June.

Malawi

Who needs to be adopted by Madonna? Riding the Rift Valley is something which all wannabe bikers have to experience. Towering mountains, fertile valley floors and enormous crystal-clear lakes is what awaits in the heart of Africa. Following the course of the Rukuru River and making your way through the rainforest will no doubt remain as one of your most memorable cycling experiences. Satiate your wanderlust by taking a trip to Nkhotakota, one of Africa’s oldest market towns, or reveal the animal within you by going on safari in Liwonde National Park.

Flights from London from £490 with Kenya Airways, leaving on 16 June, returning on 7 July.

For more information, visit Kayak.com.