But just know that this roundup of the best rides on the planet—culled from my own personal experience of riding bikes for the past 30-plus years, as well as the advice of passionate cycling friends—is just gravy.

Epic Bike Rides of the World 1 - Goodreads Lonely Planet Epic Bike Rides of the World 1 - Goodreads

It passes Lake Pukaki, the majestic Mount Cook, and more locations from The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings than you could shake a bike pump at. Sadly, the only time you can ride this treasure is during the actual race (and its one practice ride), which benefits the Tin Mountain Conservation Center. A pilgrim’s route since the middle ages, the 480 mile-long Way of St James meanders along the whole top of Spain and through the green mountains of Galicia on the way to Santiago de Compostela.

A sustainable trail complete with capping soil, bermed turns, long-distance sightlines, and a range of gnar options, so mountain bikers can lay off the brakes, lean their rig way over, and catch smooth air. The Coast to Coast cycle path takes in rainforest, volcanoes and coastline on its way from San Jose, on the Pacific side to Tortuguero on the Caribbean.

Epic Bike Rides of the World - Booktopia Epic Bike Rides of the World - Booktopia

The race organizers put together a comprehensive course map that you can tweak to choose your own adventure. This is not your "mom and pop" bike trail book, but a serious look at some of the world's most epic bike rides from competitive journeys to collective adventures to isolated countries where you're not even allowed to tour alone. There are so many beautiful places to stop off that it can be hard to know where to start, but make sure you plan on spending at least one night in Knysna, where wetlands and rainforest meet the ocean.

In al onze reisgidsen worden de populairste, mooiste en meest zeldzame bezienswaardigheden uitgebreid beschreven en helpen we je de beste keuzes te maken. Riding to Everest Base Camp itself is a major cycling challenge - the road climbs almost fifty hairpin bends over the Pang La Pass, but up at 5,150 metres you’ll be rewarded with jaw-dropping views of Everest itself, before a marathon downhill cycle to Nepal.

Epic Bike Rides of the World - Planet Lonely

It's named after John Cabot, the Italian explorer who was the first European to sail to continental North America since the Vikings centuries earlier. This is a great biking adventure, perfect for anyone looking to make a winter escape to Morocco and the pink and ochre mountains of the Jebel Sahro. Cross Lake Nicaragua and journey through the lush countryside until you reach Costa Rica's highest volcano, Irazú, stopping at San Jose.While there are a handful of such trails in the book's 500+ pages, the vast majority of the book emphasizes true adventure. Your journey ends in the desert landscapes of Altyn-Emel National Park, where you’ll cycle between outrageously colourful sandstone formations and hiking to the top of the 120m high ‘Singing Sand Dune’. Following part of National Cycle Network’s route 780, this is an easy one to follow even if you’re navigationally-challenged. And better yet, it all ends in the village of Tesuque, whose namesake market is home to the best taco and enchilada plate and margarita around.