The Route
Box Hill - Dorking - Horsham - Shoreham - Newhaven - Seaford - Beachy Head
Start at Box Hill, preferably at Ryka’s cafe, which is located near the roundabout on the A24, where you will see a sign for Box Hill. The single track road up to the hill is worth the trip however, although parking for bikes is limited at the top, with pay-and-display machines at virtually every tree stump.

Once you have had a gawp at the bikes, get fuelled up in nearby Dorking, along the A24 South (P), then follow the signs for Worthing. The A24 is a fast road, with many two lane sections, but watch out for the 40mph limited areas in villages along the way. Some interesting roundabouts near Horsham break things up a bit, with the A24 running on until the junction with the A272, where you hang a left, signed for Haywards Heath.

After just a few miles, take a right turn onto the A2037, signed for Shoreham, which has some excellent twisty sections along the way. Slow things down for Henfield, before picking up speed again, running straight down for the coast. A tricky little approach to a roundabout brings you onto the A283, then follow signs for the main A27 Lewes/Brighton, Eastbound. An amazing slip-road corner, which seems to go on forever, brings you onto the A27 flyover here, but watch out for lorry diesel on this ace curve.

Now the slightly boring bit, thrumming along the A27, although it does have better than average scenery for a dual carriageway, including a rather splendid tunnel. Keep with it for 20 miles or so, taking the A26 to Newhaven, trickling through the docks area, following signs for Seaford. The A259 gets very curvy out of Seaford, running onto East Dean, where you need to slow it down for the tourist signs directing you to Beachy Head. The approach road is narrow, packed with tourist traffic at all times, so take it slow.

Worth it however, as the view from the top of the rolling chalk downs is always windswept and interesting. A trip downhill into Eastbourne should see you right for petrol if you need some, then home again.

Police File
The Metropolitan Police have been known to use the B roads around Beachy Head to train their drivers, who are usually seen ‘four up’ in unmarked cars. The downhill sections of the A27 are also an easy choice for Police wishing to test their VASCAR fingertip reactions on speeding bikers. Like most of the South-East, Gatso cameras are located all over the place, although most have no film in them. Obviously you should be very careful at all towns and villages with 40/30mph limits, as cameras are sometimes mounted behind street furniture and trees to catch the unwary.

Pitstops
MAG recommend a small selection of biker friendly pubs on their website, including the Rodmill at Eastbourne or The Golden Martlett, on Station Road, Hellingly, which offers live bands and camping facilities too.

Grab a bite at The George, Trafalgar Street Brighton, which is known for its specialist vegetarian menu, or are you feeling saucy? Then try SAUCY, on Church Street in Hove, near Brighton, which has traditional British food, but with a kinda trendy, mod style to it. Then again, if you like bikes surrounding you as you eat, then it’s hard to beat Ryka’s, located at the bottom of Box Hill.

With all sorts of roads, from sweeping dual carriageways, to tiny farm tracks, this part of the world is perfect for motorcycles. The many historic towns, like Brecon, Hay-on-Wye and Monmouth are also much more accessible - and a bit easier to park in - when you travel on two wheels as well.

With impressive scenery around almost every bend and a reasonably low number of Gatso peppered roads, this part of the UK has got to be worth visiting on a regular basis no matter what type of motorcycle you ride.

The Route
Chepstow - Tintern - Monmouth - Crickhowell - Brecon

Start in Chepstow, which is easily accessible via the M4/M5 and the spectacular Severn Bridge. Go slowly across the Severn if it’s a windy day by the way, it can be a bit tricky on a bike.

Take the A466 Northwards from the town, going past the racecourse and climbing into the hills which surround the river Wye. This first section of A road is pretty tight and twisty, with some potentially slippy parts under the trees and lots of blind corners.

If you have travelled a long way to arrive at the Wye valley and fancy a break, then pause at Tintern if you like, which is on the A466 and has the very impressive ruins of the Abbey open to the public. Go slowly through the village because this is a tourist hot spot all year round and a 30mph limit.

Moving out of Tintern the A466 continues to prove highly entertaining, with some amazing sections of fast sweepers underneath the tree canopy. There’s a traffic light controlled bridge just a few miles out of Tintern, which can have a long queue of standing traffic backed up around the blind right-hander as you approach it.

Perfect for a sportsbike, the A466 then opens out as it hugs the Wye, heading for Monmouth, but again, watch out for the odd damp patch of tarmac under the trees if there has been rain recently.

When you reach Monmouth, cross the Wye and head straight on into the town centre if you want to stop in this lovely old market town. If not, take the ring road for Abergavenny South West via the A40.

The A40 is a fast dual carriageway, with services located just a few miles West of Monmouth. It has better than average views however as you approach Abergavenny and the Black Mountains. A series of roundabouts takes you around the town centre, following signs for Brecon via the A40. If you fancy a bike related break, drop in at the Black Mountain Yamaha shop, which is a few miles West of Abergavenny, after a great section of fast corners.

The A40 then dips and curves its way along towards Brecon, with some wonderful views to your left across the valley. Sugarloaf mountain is on your right if you fancy a scenic hike. Slow down for Crickhowell, which is a 30mph limit and take a left turn here onto the B4558 if you fancy an alternative, slow speed route to Brecon. This twisty single-tracker leads you through lovely villages like Talybont-on-Usk and Pencelli, both of which have tourist friendly pubs if you fancy a bite to eat and a rest. It’s largely a traffic free sort of road, but lined with high hedges, so take care.

Brecon is the journey’s end on this route, which is a quaint old place, attracting thousands of jazz and bookish types throughout the summer season. From here, you can head back along the A40 East towards the Severn, or Northwards along the A470 and A438 towards Leominster, depending on where home is. If you get the chance, stop off at Hay-on-Wye, the town of many bookshops, or explore the backroads in the Golden Valley which will take you back to Ross-on-Wye. You can look across the Golden Valley from the amusingly named point of local interest; Lord Hereford’s Knob near Hay-on-Wye. Outstanding.

Police File
The area is relatively Gatso free at present, although local Police forces are well aware that motorcyclists like to use certain roads at weekends and do mount regular campaigns aimed at catching speeders.

In tandem, Dyfed-Powys Police are running a Bike Safe scheme aimed at prevention rather than cure, with ride assessments offered and the usual stand presence at local shows. PC Shane Davies from Dyfed-Powys Road Division told insidebikes;

“Anyone is welcome to ride with us, depending on our commitments, as we are one of the smaller forces in the UK, with many operations during the summer months. We are also doing assessment rides at Pembrey race circuit this September which are open to all bikers.”

Biker Beds
The Hobby Horse Inn at Brynmawr is just a few miles from Abergavenny. Further South, Upper Sedbury House is 1 mile from Chepstow, has a swimming pool, camping facilities, TV lounge and can arrange forward luggage transport to your next night’s accommodation - handy for bikers that. If you fancy some scenic views, try The Old Rectory at Tintern, set overlooking the Wye valley and famous for its Full Works breakfasts.

Pitstops
Whatever your taste buds are tickled by is available here, from a Little Chef Olympic breakfast on the A40 Westbound between Monmouth and Abergavenny, to a serious evening feast, washed down with real ales, at the 17th century Punch Inn, Agincourt Square, Monmouth.

All the towns mentioned en route; Chepstow, Monmouth, Abergavenny and Brecon have plenty of basic cafes, chippys, pizza places and the like. In addition, the area is packed with country inns, most of which specialise in bar and restaurant meals.

But this route is more than swooping heights, the trail through Exmoor yielding some real twisters and mind-blowing views, be they out across the unspoilt Atlantic coast or in towards the granite wilderness of the moor. A genuine treat.

The Route
Minehead - Porlock - Lynmouth - Ilfracombe - Simonsbath - Wheddons Cross - Minehead

Head west from Minehead on the A39 through Porlock making sure you enjoy the road as it soars skywards on a 1 in 4. Continue on the A39 to Lynmouth and on past Churchtown to the junction with the A399, which you take heading North West to Combe Martin and up to Ilfracombe. This pretty seaside resort is not a bad place to stop for a brew and a lolly before returning back the way you came down the A399 past the A39 junction and hanging a left on to the B3358 which will take you through Challacombe to Simonsbath. Here you join the B3223 for a short while and then pick up the B3224 for Wheddons Cross where you then take the north-bound A396 up through Dunster to rejoin the A39 back to Minehead.

Speed Traps
No Gatso’s, mobiles or unmarkeds reported - unless you know better.

Pitstop
The Rest and Be Thankful Inn earned its name because the stage coaches climbing the steep hill into Exmoor1s highest village at Wheddons Cross needed to! A champion of real ales it counts Ruddles, Theakstons and Old Speckled Hen among its beers which are complemented by a range of bar meals. For a traditional cream tea, snack or a bite of lunch, try out The Horner Tea Gardens west of Minehead or the Fuschia Tea Room & Garden at Lee, west of Ilfracombe.

The Route
Exeter - Longdown - Bridford - Moretonhampstead - Tavistock - Okehampton

Start at Exeter and find your way past the vast industrial estate on the West side of the city, to pick up the B3212, signed for Mortonhampstead - be warned, it is easy to get lost on the legendary Exeter ring road. The B road is a 40mph limit for much of the first few miles, then gets altogether more lively as it gets into the countryside proper.

About six miles out, watch for the village of Longdown, then get set for some seriously tricky corners, with a few steep hills along the way. Best plan is take things easy, this is a route to unwind your mind, not scrape your footpegs..

The little town of Moretonhampstead is well worth a stopover if you have time, but take a slow dawdle across the crossroads and stick with the B3212, signed for Two Bridges and Tavistock. Soon, you’re up on the moors proper and note, it is a 40mph limit all the way across, so click into a high gear, low revs mindset and relax. There are wandering sheep and Dartmoor ponies about, which is another good reason to back off the speed a touch, as well as the bleak, moody scenery.

Miles of moorland will slowly roll by, until you dip down into Two Bridges and hang a right turn for Tavistock. If you feel in the mood, a slight detour on the B3212 will take you around via Yelverton and the A386, but Tavistock is definitely worth a look. You can’t miss it, there’s a whopping great statue of Sir Francis Drake in the middle of it…

After some refreshment in Tavistock, take the A386 signed for Okehampton, which soon begins to entertain with a series of fast sweeping corners. Pretty busy with traffic, but some wide open moorland sections too, which have the national 60mph - rather than 40mph - speed limit.

Okehampton is another good choice for an overnight stay, or just a lazy lunch if you prefer. Then onwards along the dual carriageway A30, until you take a right turn onto the A382, signed for Mortonhampstead once again - yep, we’ve just done a big circle. Very bendy bit of road this, which lasts just a few miles before we’ve completed a long loop.

A left turn in Mortonhampstead will take you back to Exeter if that suits, or stay on the A382 if you want to head South for Torquay and the English Riveria, setting for the legendary Fawlty Towers hotel. Don’t mention the war.

Pitstops
The Dartmoor Inn - now there’s a proper old fashioned pub name, none of your Firkins, Ferrets, or the like. This 16th Century Inn has Old Speckled Hen and St Austell Hicks amongst its beers and can be found in Lydford, near Okehampton. Another beam-ceilinged restaurant is at the Barton Cross Hotel, which is about 5 miles North of Exeter. It also has 6 bedrooms and three AA stars - could be worth a look.

Police File
There are no Gatso cameras on Dartmoor as far as we know - hurray - and as it is a national park, it should stay that way in the future. However, the 40mph limit is enforced by the occasional patrol and you will find irate ramblers and angry wild flower collectors likely to grass you up should you decide to perform blatantly mad biker stunts, or speed excessively. Believe us, you will enjoy Dartmoor much better the slower you travel across it.

The Route
Blandford - Dorchester - Beaminster - Bridport - Weymouth

Starting point on this one is Blandford Forum, which as you might have guessed from its name has a history stretching back to the Roman era. It makes a good base for a week long exploration of the area if you have the time.

From Blandford take the A354 signed for Dorchester, which is marked clearly off the ring road. This is a fairly fast, sweeping sort of road, generally busy with traffic at all times, but with some interesting curvy corners if you manage to get a quieter time of day. After about 20 miles, the A354 joins the A35, for a bit of dual carriageway before Dorchester.

When you reach Dorchester, you can either pop into the town centre for a break, or take the ring road, still on the A35, following the signs for Bridport. There are a succession of roundabouts to negotiate, with the Bridport road being just after Maiden Castle.

That ancient fortification by the way is well worth a look if you ever want to see how the Iron Age Celts built what to them, would have been a city, just out of earth and wood - amazing what you can do without a JCB…

From the outskirts of Dorchester, the A35 rises across the downs and runs near straight Westwards. There’s a good reason for this, it is part of an ancient Roman road and just a few miles along, you turn right, signed for Compton Valence and West Compton, along a narrow, single-tracker. As the telegraph poles along your left will testify. This is another - more atmospheric - stretch of Roman highway engineering. It also offers some outstanding views Southwards across the downs.

Watch for the right turn for Compton Valence, then right again for the village of Maiden Newton. Go carefully now, as high hedges make this narrow road little more than a farmtrack in places. A steep drop into Maiden Newton brings you to a junction, here you take a left onto the A356, signed for Beaminster and Crewkerne. This is a twisty section, with plenty to keep you interested, but watch out for agricultural machinery.

A left turn onto the B3163 takes you down a fantastic section of steep, twisting tarmac, then into Beaminster. Lovely little town for a breather, then pick up the A3066, which leads South to Bridport. Again, this has a stunning downhill section, where a glimpse between the trees lets you look for miles across the Downs, so take things easy and do the tourist bit.

Bridport is another good choice to set up a base camp for a holiday in this neck of the woods, with a market on Wednesday and Saturday. But after a break, take the B3157 coast road signed for Weymouth. This road has it all; loads of bends, crests, scenic views of Chesil Beach and a stomach churning drop into the village of Abbotsbury - you’ll love it.

Keep an eye out for holidaymakers however, some of whom will simply stop without warning to admire the sea view. Slow down as you near Weymouth which is a busy Channel Port, plus well known holiday destination. There’s a picturesque old town area (Brewer’s Quay) near the harbour, which can be found easily if you follow the brown tourist signs - it’s also much more accessible by bike, than car..

Journey’s end then, down to the sea once more. Time to relax, fill up with fuel and turn around to do it all again.

Police File
insidebikes roving reporter actually saw a small pack of sports bike riders being pulled by a Patrol car on the Bridport-Weymouth coast road, whilst out filming this feature. Summer 2000 also saw a crackdown on ‘tourist drink driving’ across the West Country too.

Gatso cameras are relentlessly spreading on busy arterial routes, like the A35 and A354, in this part of the world, so use your head and save your ’spirited’ riding for the odd sections of back roads which are relatively quiet and have a decent surface. Fact is, there’s so much holiday traffic in this area that setting a 40mph average on any Sunday probably counts as a Cannonball Run.

Pitstops
You can hardly move 500 yards in Devon before passing a small establishment selling cream teas and lashings of lemonade, plus there are seemingly hundreds of chippies, cafes and restaurants. A trip out to West Bay near Bridport, sampling the Harbour Cafe, or the Old Watch House is worth the slight detour too.

That heady mix means you can test both man/woman and machine, opening the throttle on car-free straights and testing your riding skills on roads with more outrageous twists than a Brookside plot.

This insidebikes’ route hugs the coast like a long-lost relative, offering slider scraping bend after bend whilst the stretch between Fort William and Ballachulish in the shadow of Glencoe is fast and furious.

The Route
Fort William - Ballachulish - Oban

Head south out of Fort William on the A82 to Ballachulish and then pick up the coast-hugging A828 down to Connel. Here you take the A85 for the final spin into Oban - watch out on the approach as it’s one hell of an incline spiralling down into a fairly bustling tourist spot.

Speed Traps
This route appears to be Gatso free.

Biker Beds
A reasonably priced bed with views across Loch Leven can be found at the Lyn-Leven Guest House in Ballachulish and to its north at Islanders in Onich.

North Ballachulish offers up Ceol-Na-Mara where the well priced tariff includes use of swimming and leisure facilities at a local hotel. Fort William whilst itself fairly uninspiring is surrounded by biker-friendly B&Bs in scenic settings including Travee at Corpach, Fordon at Banavie and Distillery House at Nevis Bridge. The pleasant resort of Oban offers Kins Knoll and the Glenara Guest House.

Pitstops
Bikers are ‘very welcome’ at The Barn at Cologin outside Oban. Set in its own private glen it serves bar snacks and meals washed down with a selection of beers such as Calders 70/-, Guinness, Lowenbrau and Tetleys.

If your kind of biking fun means empty roads, friendly accommodation and sleepy little towns, this part of the world could be two-wheeled paradise.

The Route
Girvan - Newton Stewart - Stranraer - Girvan

Our starting point is the small coastal resort of Girvan, in Ayrshire. The town makes a handy base for a long weekend’s exploration of the region if you fancy it, which is highly recommended, as it will take a day’s travel to get here from almost anywhere in England or Wales. Great views of Ailsa Craig and the Isle of Arran in the distance at Girvan by the way.

Take the A714 for Newton Stewart at the roundabout located at the Southerly end of the town, which rapidly rises into the hills, featuring some very tight twisty bends. Many are blind, with roaming livestock a distinct possibility, so be careful. Slow down a bit at the village of Barrhill and if you fancy a scenic detour take the B7027.

If not, stick to the A714 as it flicks across deserted patches of moorland and dives through the edge of the Galloway forest for the next 20 odd miles. You need to be on the lookout for slow moving agricultural and forestry vehicles, plus wildlife of all shapes and sizes, including deer. It’s also a road with a terrifically variable surface - from billiard table smooth to virtual Moto X track.

Stop at Newton Stewart if you need a breather, then pick up the main A75 for a blast along to Stranraer. This road does get some HGV and ferry traffic, but if you’re from anywhere South of Preston, you’ll appreciate the sheer space and emptiness of this smooth tarmac. Watch out for mobile speed traps though…

Stranraer has plenty of cafes, shops and two ferry terminals to tempt the casual visitor, but if you have the time, head along the A77 to Portpatrick - a glimpse of a vanished Scotland, real picture postcard stuff.

After a breather, pick up the awesome A77 Northbound, which is signed for Cairnryan and Ayr out of Stranraer. You need to keep your speed down at first passing through 30mph and 40mph villages, but after a few miles it opens out into one of the all time great biking roads. The sea to your left, the hills on your right and precious little traffic in front…magical.

The A77 breaks away from hugging the coastline for a few miles, rising and falling through hills and forests, with some incredible twisty sections to challenge sportbike fans. Be warned, Giormost are fast sweepers, but occasionally, the A77 throws a 90 degree pearler at you - usually with a blind corner entry - so don’t set yourself too steep a learning curve.

The final section from Ballantrae to Girvan is the most fun you can have on two wheels, as it dips and dives along the rocky coastline. Slow down for the villages en route, because many tourists are prone to stopping with very little warning to take pictures, buy stamps, or just pull over to fall asleep for a while. The long, snaking drop into Girvan offers fantastic views as you slow down from the ride, with the Southern car park having a handy beach-front kiosk for a brew and a snack.

Time to sit on the beach for a while with a zen-like expression of dopey happiness on your face. Yep, biking really should be this good every day…

Speed Traps
No Gatso cameras spotted on the route at the time of writing (August 2000) but regular speed traps with VASCAR equipped patrol cars, plus hand-held radar traps reported by local bikers on the A75, particularly near Stranraer. Many sections of open, near deserted roads, make it easy for the law to spot you, a long, long time before you see them hiding in lay-bys, farm tracks etc. Remember the speed limit on A roads is 60mph, not 70mph…

Biker Beds
The area is packed with farmhouse Bed and Breakfast, small guest houses etc. Mostly, people turn up on spec, but if you are looking to book in advance - which is recommended in high season (June-July-August) contact the Scottish Tourist Board where you will find a large accommodation section.

If you have a fortnight to spare, the South West of Scotland makes a convenient jumping off point for a trip across to Northern Ireland too, with daily ferry sailings, including the new, much faster, Sea-Cat service.

Pitstops
Bar Pazzerello in Stranraer is a cafe/nightclub, which - bravely - offers half price drinks on Friday nights. Sounds lively, but if you prefer a quieter snack, try the Arkhouse Inn on Church Street, Stranraer, or even the amusingly named Passage To India, on Hanover Street.

Girvan’s South Beach car park, which is the start/finish point on this triangular route, also has a very respectable snack bar on the seafront and Stranraer has a couple of chippies which are renowned for fresh fish and healthy portions of the old potato product. Nice.

Our starting point is Llangollen, which is a very tourist friendly town located on the River Dee. If you’re into steam trains or Dr Who, there are two major attractions catering to your needs here. From the steam railway station in the town, take the A road signed for Ruthin and the Horseshoe Pass. This rapidly climbs the pass, with stunning views available from the top but do watch out for sheep on the road!

At the summit, you will see the Ponderosa café on your right, which is a well known local bikers hang out, attracting over a hundred machines on a nice sunny Sunday. The food isn’t that exciting for my taste, but if you’re into the traditional breakfast fry-up, the Pondersosa will have all you need.

The A525 then gets seriously twisty for a couple of miles as it drops down the other side of the pass, which will convince you that this is a bit of top road. You’ll ride uphill to a mini roundabout, go straight on and take a left, joining the A525 signed for Ruthin. This is a little detour through the Nant-Y-Garth pass, a narrow, ultra twisty, three mile stretch which is a challenge, no matter how small your bike is. Very tricky to overtake, with lots of blind corners too, so take care.

At the end of the Nant-Y-Garth, slow down and turn around for another run through it, yes, it is that good!

Go back to the mini roundabout you recently passed, but take a right, following the signs for Bala and Betws-Y-Coed, via the A5. Get set for about 15 miles of lovely, curvy roads, dotted with villages and a random selection of agricultural hazards. This isn’t as busy a road as the A5, but be extra careful around its many blind bends.

When you reach the junction with the A5, turn right and join the queues of caravans and cars, all making their way towards Snowdonia and Bala. It can be slow going here on a Sunday, unless you get up early, but traffic eases after the Bala turn-off. Next up, is another 5 miles of twisty stuff, then the A5 opens out a little bit crossing moorlands after Cerrigdruidon. Keep an eye out from now on until Betws-Y-Coed, as the North Wales Police like setting up speed traps on these faster, straighter sections.

After the village of Cerrigydrudion the A5 begins a gradual descent into Betws, getting tighter and twistier as it does so, with some ace views to your left. There are overhanging trees on some corners which drip a slippy film and leaves onto the tarmac, so take it easy when the road ahead looks a bit dark.

Journey’s end is Dil’s Diner (currently closed, as of 20.0.2001), which is next to the railway station, located in the centre of Betws-Y-Coed. This superb, biker friendly café has good food, a free visor cleaning service on the wall outside, plus plenty of seating for the hundreds of bikers who travel there every Sunday.

Time to head home? Possibly, but if you are in the mood to explore the roads of North Wales further, then Betws is the centre of your biking universe. Pick any road out of town and enjoy.

Biker Beds
Can Yr Afon Bed and Breakfast, located in Capel Curig, just a few miles up from Betws-Y-Coed, has rooms with off-road parking. If you want somewhere in Betws itself, within walking distance of Dil’s Diner, then try Bryn Y Gwent, which has a drying facility for wet clothing kit and is non-smoking throughout.

You’ll see loads of signs for farmhouse B & B en route, as you travel around this one, or search some websites if you want to book yourself into the area for a short stay.

Pitstops
Apart from the Ponderosa and Dil’s Diner (currently closed, as of 20.9.2001), which form the start and finish points of this route, there are several very decent country Inns along the way, especially in and around Llangollen. At the other end of the route in Betws-y-Coed, you can try an alternative menu at Ty Gwyn Inn, with a top value bar meals selection.

The Route
Lake Vyrnwy - Welshpool - Newtown - Llangurig - Rhayader - Builth Wells - Llandovery

Start at Lake Vyrnwy, which is signed off the main A483 linking Oswestry and Welshpool. Follow the B4393 to the Lake itself, which is in fact a reservoir, constructed back in the 1930s to provide water for Liverpool. Cross the dam and take the lakeside drive, which circulates Vyrnwy and brings you back to the visitor centre. Grab a snack here if you’re hungry - there’s a long ride ahead.

Go back on yourself along the B4393, then hook up onto the lovely A490, following the signs for Welshpool. By-pass the town centre itself, unless you need petrol, then take the A483 to Newtown. This is lovely old fashioned market town and makes a good base for a weekend’s exploration of the area. Take the A470, signed for Llangurig, running South from Newtown - there are two petrol stations on the outskirts by the way.

Now the fun starts as the A470 twists and turns through some spectacular scenery. Watch your speed near Llangurig, as there is a Gatso set up on the by-pass, right on the main straight after a mini roundabout. Keep on the A470, now following signs for Rhayader, which is a small, but friendly town, with a remarkably high number of pubs!

At the main square in Rhayader, turn right and follow the signs for Elan valley, which is on the B4518. There is a visitor centre just a few miles along this road if you need a break and some food. Otherwise, slow down and get set to see some of the most beautiful scenery in the UK, as the road loops around three reservoirs in succession, climbing onto bleak moorlands. After about ten miles, you will come to a junction, where you need to turn right for Rhayader once again, yep it’s a detour, but definitely worth doing.

Back onto the A470 once more, going South from Rhayader, signed towards Builth Wells. It’s another section of fantastic curvy tarmac if you’re into it, but slow down near Builth Wells, as it’s a surprisingly busy market town. At Builth, turn onto the A483 for Llandovery, via Beulah. Another Top Road this, but it has a variable surface with some bumpy bits. At Llandovery, slow down and stop at the West End cafe, which is a regular biker’s hang out at weekends. The cafe also does great food and can seat over 100 too - highly recommended.

This is one of our longer routes at insidebikes, but very definitely one of the best too. If you have the time, take a whole weekend to savour some of the most biker friendly roads in the UK.

Tourist Information
Local tourist info offices like Builth Wells Elan Valley or Lake Vyrnwy Visitor Centre will all prove useful, especially in tracking down a bed for the night.

Police File
insidebikes hasn’t had any official contact with the Mid Wales forces, which cover this huge geographical area. But local bikers advise that the boys in blue are well aware that a small minority of bikers are intent on using the roads as a racetrack and they will use the latest radar equipment - with helicopter support to catch them. Like most forces, they want you to enjoy yourself, but ride safe in area which has a typical selection of rural road hazards; tractors, dung on the roads, loose sheep etc. Be careful out there.

Biker Beds
Mid Wales is obviously full of farmhouse bed and breakfast accommodation, which is usually available on spec, even to bikers. Start looking around at 4-5 p.m. in case it proves a bit busy during the summer school holiday period.

Call a local tourist office once you are in the Mid Wales area for more on all types overnight places. Typical Bed and Breakfast accommodation is very reasonably priced in Wales, with the Pentre Hotel in Abergavenny demonstrating this fact. But it is No Smoking at Pentre, unlike the Old Vicarage in Llangurig, which has smoking sections, plus a licensed bar on the site, with off street parking.

Pitstops
The West End Cafe mentioned in this feature as the destination at the end of the ride qualifies as one of the premier biker friendly cafes in the UK, never mind Wales. Sumptuous sized fry-ups, sarnies and fantabulous cakes too - a real belly buster’s delight. Newtown, Powys is also home to several traditional local sandwich shops/bakers, with tons of calorie-laden goodies to tempt you - usually OK to squeeze a bike into a parking spot in Newtown too.

The Route
Kendal-Shap-Penrith-Kirkstone Pass-Troutbeck Bridge-Windermere-Kendal

Ride out of Kendal on the old A6, following the signs for Shap and Penrith. Get your head sorted for the next 20-ish miles of high speed, spectacular bends, gradually climbing approximately 1400 feet above sea level to Shap village. Fantastic views of the Lakeland fells to your left if you fancy taking it slower and admiring the scenery.

Continue on the A6 through the 40mph limit Shap village following signs for Penrith. The road is flatter and straighter now and watch out for 30mph sections through Hackthorpe and Clifton. Penrith is historic old market town if you fancy stopping for a bite to eat, but if not head West, onto the A66, signed to Keswick and Ullswater.

After approximately 3 miles, turn left onto the A592 signed Ullswater, then follow the road as it twists and turns, bringing lakeside views about 5 miles further on. Beware of heavy tourist traffic on this road, which is so narrow and bumpy in places that it should be treated as a B road. Hikers, coaches, tractors and car drivers looking at the scenery rather than the road, are all hazards here. Glenridding village at the South end of Ullswater has a large car park frequented by bikers on Sundays.

Continue along A592 through 30mph Patterdale village, then get set for a challenging ascent up Kirkstone Pass, with plenty of ramblers and tourist traffic to watch out for, plus drystone walls lining the road in places. The Kirkstone Inn at the summit is a regular bikers weekend hangout.

From the inn you can head down the A592 to Windermere, or take a right onto the B road to Ambleside, which drops severely from Kirkstone Inn. Both roads are very twisty, with hikers and loose sheep present, plus fantastic views. Use caution through Troutbeck and Troutbeck Bridge villages as these are particularly popular with ramblers.

Ambleside and Windermere are both extremely busy tourist hotspots from May-September, with lots of cafes, shops and parking should you fancy a breather. Continue down the A592 to Bowness of you want to cross Lake Windermere on the ferry to see Grizedale. Or follow signs for Kendal on the A591 out of Windermere to complete the circle.

From Kendal, take the A591, then 590 following signs for Skipton, then cross the M6 and take the A65 to Kirby Lonsdale to find the Devil’s Bridge biker hangout, which is packed on Sundays. Do not park on yellow lines, or you WILL get a ticket from the Police here.

Speed Traps
Cumbria Police confirm that the county is Gatso free territory although hotspots are targeted by hand-held traps. An unmarked video car has been reported on the A65 to catch speeding bikers.

Tourist Information
Cumbria Tourist Board, Ashleigh, Holly Road, Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 2AQ.

Police File
Cumbria police spokesman Mike Smith advises: “Whilst taking action to enforce the law and prosecute those who infringe traffic laws, Cumbria Constabulary is keen to encourage and help riders develop safer riding techniques” In practice this means the use of marked and unmarked vehicles in targeted areas together with provision of safer riding courses and displays at hang-outs such as Devils Bridge. He adds that whilst 1999 saw five motorcycling fatalities and 69 serious injuries in Cumbria, this route is not a particular problem and suffered no deaths.

Biker Beds
For a touch of old fashioned rural charm try out Crook Hall in Crook off the B5824 between Kendal and Windermere. A working farm dating back to the 17th century it affords good hill views and is very reasonably priced. Windermere is chocca with B&Bs - best to check the tourist office for details - but if you want to venture slightly further, head towards Bowness and try Beaumont. Set within landscaped gardens overlooking the Fells, it’s reasonably priced accommodation includes membership of the local leisure complex.

Pitstops
Kendal’s Kent Tavern extends an exceptionally warm welcome to bikers. Hosts Christine and Cameron often lay on live music to complement a range of mainstream beers (including Stella, Heineken, Trophy, Boddingtons & Guinness) and bar food. En-route, if you’re suffering from altitude sickness, the Kirkstone Pass Inn is a great place to recover. Bustling Penrith is a good place to fill your belly. Topos Italian Restaurant is biker friendly and offers great, reasonably priced food - its lunchtime specials are particularly good value.