Starkly beautiful and dramatic, the Outer Hebrides' quiet roads are best enjoyed on two wheels
No wonder it was so popular when the pandemic prevented many riders from jaunts abroad. But never mind 'abroad': sometimes the Hebrides' empty singletrack roads picking their way through the treeless wastes - home to some of the world's oldest masses of rock - can feel more lunar than earthlike. Rather windier than the moon, of course: gales are frequent, and however you structure the ride, you might have all-day headwinds.
It's not all exoplanetary sparseness. Cosy villages and hamlets offer cafes, pubs and lodgings with a vibrant community feel, and the sugar-white beaches with clear turquoise waters can look positively Caribbean on a sunny day... albeit 20 Celsius cooler. At least the chill won't be obvious on Instagram. You may well spot unusual wildlife, and not just on the 'otters crossing' road signs. For the adventurer, wild camping here is easy, and special.
Esta historia es de la edición March 2023 de Cycling Plus UK.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición March 2023 de Cycling Plus UK.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
No limits
Not every adventure needs to be that epic, says bikepacking Scotland founder Markus Stitz
UNBOUND UNLEASHED
Josh Patterson was one of 34 starters for the inaugural edition of Unbound in 2006. Now, with more than 5,000 riders taking part in today's event, he charts the rise of the most important race in gravel
FOREST COMMISSION
Looking for a goal race in 2025 that'll stimulate the synapses and live long in the memory? You'd struggle to do better than ENID CRV in Finland
15 OF THE BEST ADVENTURES
Featuring Yorkshire, the USA, Sri Lanka and more, here are our picks of the world's greatest gravel races and routes
The stuff of dreams
Ned sings the praises of the Paris Olympics road-race course
"I rode 3,000 miles around Britain on a bamboo bike to highlight our climate crisis"
Recordbreaking cyclist and triathlete Kate Strong, 45, took to the road to raise awareness of environmental issues
FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE
We venture into the hidden gem of the glorious Creuse, one of France's least populated regions
STAR TREK
New tube shapes and carbon lay-up makes the eighth generation of Trek's legendary Madone an aero and climbing bike all rolled into one
GOLD RUSH
With conflict around the world, Paris 2024 was a ray of light. Here are our highs of a mighty Olympics
HIGHER CALLING
Pro cycling commentary is a formidable skill that Ned Boulting and Matt Stephens make look easy. Andy McGrath drops in on their booth at this year's Giro d'Italia to learn their secrets