The Tour de France 2023 is almost upon us and Jonas Vingegaard is aiming for two titles in a row, Wout van Aert is eyeing up time trials and Mark Cavendish is set to ride for the last time.
The drama will begin over the border in Bilbao on July 1 before two further days in Spain, with the fight for the maillot jaune, the leader of the general classification, to begin in earnest with back-to-back Pyrenees mountain stages on July 5 and 6.
From there, the 176 riders – or however many are left – will take on some of the toughest terrain France has to offer, including several vicious passes through the Alps, before the race finishes with its traditional sprint along the Champs-Élysées in Paris.
In total, 3,404km will be cycled with only two rest days for the peloton. It’s a gruelling feat even for professional riders looking to make it around in one piece, especially when there is a cut-off time limit to be factored in.
You may just want to watch the action on ITV4, which is set to broadcast live coverage as well as a nightly highlights show – but the more brave (and fit!) among us could even be inspired to get the bike out for a more local challenge.
Here are five routes in the UK that Swytch Technology, a business which provides electric bike conversion, has considered to be the toughest.
Perhaps they are worthy of respect from your mates and a pint at the end – even if you will not have a polka dot, king of the mountains, jersey to show for it.
Of course, all journeys will be easier if you have an electric bike!
1. Lakeland Loop, Lake District
This 65-mile route, which climbs 7,400 feet, provides an exhilarating ride over the western part of lakeland. It features stunning scenery, a surprising amount of variety and a glimpse into some of Cumbria’s less-travelled areas.
2. Bealach na Bà, Scottish Highlands
This route includes the biggest road climb in the UK, rising from sea level at Applecross to 2,054 feet, and includes hairpin bends reminiscent of alpine passes. The whole route is just over 40 miles, but the challenging part is a nine-mile section with an average gradient of seven per cent.
3. The Dragon Devil, Wales
This route is not one for the timid, with a staggering 296 miles in distance and 15,140 feet in elevation gain. Cyclists will encounter all the well-known climbs such as the Devil’s Elbow and the Bwlch which this route is famous for.
4. London to Brighton
This is potentially Britain’s most popular day-long route. While it is not extremely long (54 miles), it can be challenging due to the hilly terrain, especially the famous Ditchling Beacon near the end of the ride. The Beacon is a persistent one-mile climb with an average gradient of nine per cent, reaching up to 16 per cent at some parts. With beautiful villages, country inns and rolling countryside, this is not one to miss.
5. LEJOG (Land’s End to John o’ Groats)
This is a long-distance ride spanning the length of the British Isles from the southernmost to the northernmost point. The route varies, but it’s typically about 1,000 miles and includes a lot of climbing. The difficulty can be increased or decreased based on which trails you decide to take and how you space your schedule.
