Cycling is cool. Olympic medals, Commonwealth titles and two Tour de
France wins have put Britain at the top of the bike-riding tree, and an ever-growing number of community bike hire schemes are bringing cycling to every corner of the UK, from Shetland to the South Downs.
So whether you're a nervous novice or a pannier-toting pro, these routes are some of the finest the country has to offer.
For beginners: Camel Trail, Cornwall
Leave the car in Padstow and head out along this disused railway line towards Bodmin. The trail here is pleasantly wide and mostly level, not to mention almost entirely traffic-free – so you'll only have to share it with walkers and the odd horse-rider.
The trail's full length is 18 miles, taking cyclists along the picturesque Camel Estuary and through the wooded upper Camel Valley to Wenford Bridge, but it is easy to break the journey and there are numerous places to refuel.
You could stop after 5.5 miles in the market town of Wadebridge (where you can skip the on-road section through town by walking your bike) but far better to keep on the pedals for another 3.5 miles to The Camel Trail Tea Garden, where light lunches are served. It's a short detour from here to the Camel Valley Vineyard, where they produce a mean sparkling wine, or push on to Wenford Bridge to complete the trail.
Don't forget to factor in the return journey, perhaps with a short stop off at the Borough Arms near Bodmin, and reward yourselves with supper at Stein's Fish and Chips, overlooking the Camel Estuary in Padstow.
For the more adventurous: Coed y Brenin, Snowdonia
Want to really push yourself? Then drive into the heart of Snowdonia national park and leave the car at Coed y Brenin mountain bike centre for some two-wheeled escapades.
Weaving their way through some 36-sq-kms (9,000 acres) of woodland here are trails aimed at all levels, from Yr Afon, which is suitable to everyone, including children, right up to The Beast – which probably speaks for itself!
Start with a session in the new Y Ffowndri skills area, which has eight different stations focused on skills you may need out in the forest and a Singletrack Zone where you'll find examples of each classification of trail. Start with an easy green and see if you can handle blue (moderate), red (difficult) and black (severe) before heading out to the real thing.
The MinorTaur is your destination if you're blue, with three loops of varying lengths featuring challenges such as stone steps, table tops and a few swooping berms.
If you're ready for red, head out on the Dragons Back, a 19-mile route to the top of Moel Hafod Owen for sweeping views across the Snowdonian mountains before dropping down the "Adams family" series of descents. Some are more challenging than others, with the swooping curves of Gomez, Morticia and Pugsley only hinting at the excitement of the Lurch corkscrew and the thrill of the speedy Uncle Fester.
Not afraid of black? Try the 11-mile MBR, a rocky challenge that features fast descents, fly offs and rock steps with large drops.
For the experienced: Pass of Ryvoan, Highland
Drop off the car in Nethy Bridge and prepare for an adventure – on narrow dirt tracks through the Scottish Highlands.
This 21-mile route starts and finishes in the small town of Nethy Bridge and runs through Abernethy Forest, a remnant of the native Scots pine forest that once covered the highlands. Look out here for red squirrels, pine martens and red deer. The trail climbs gently out of Nethy Bridge before becoming more challenging as you wind your way through the forest. As the trees end so does the hard slog, and the Cairngorm mountains will be visible – see if you can spot skiers in the winter.
After Ryvoan Pass, where you will see a bothy, the rocky path becomes more like a river bed as you descend and turn towards Bynack Stable. Entering Glenmore Forest Park the sandy paths will make you pick up speed and after passing Lochan Uaine (the green loch) you will reach Glenmore Lodge, and the road. Return via the B970, joining it a few miles west of Glenmore, after Loch Morlich.
Looking for a great seaside ride? Visit Enterprise Magazine to to discover Britain's best
