Cycling

“The Isle of Wight is a cycling paradise that is home to some of the UK’s most varied terrain: lush velvet hills rolling into the sea, narrow lanes through tidy hedgerows, deep and mysterious green gullies, and the island’s most striking feature, the ridge of white chalk cliffs stretching across its breadth.”

So said the Lonely Planet when they named the island the world's #1 destination for cyclists in 2010.  Quite possibly written by a biased local who hadn't enjoyed a ride around Mt Ventoux in Provence in the Spring, but nonetheless, you get the idea!  Cycling on the Isle of Wight really is superb for serious road cyclists, families with kids and adventurous mountain bikers - Cycling Weekly reckons it is "simply brilliant", and the Cyclist agreed in 2020 that the island may well be Britain's best cycling destination?.  With 200 miles of cycle tracks, byways and bridleways for you to explore, we can't argue with that!

For roadies, every year we have the Isle of Wight Randonee run by the Wayfarer Cycling Club, and the 65 mile route has now been permanently signposted.  Your can download a detailed route guide here.  And in 2022 none other than Sir Bradley Wiggins is hosting a (very expensive!) weekend with famous chef Angela Harnett just a few hundred yards away at The Royal Hotel.  They have some great pictures at their website and, even more exciting, the tour of Britain's final stage is taking place on the island on Sunday 11 Sep 2022, route tbc. 

Mountain Bikers can enjoy riding dedicated trails at the MTB Centre or tackle the 53 mile long Chalk Ridge Extreme trail.

For families there is the Red Squirrel trail which runs along old cinder tracks between Newport and and Shanklin.

tagalong

This is a good website for more tips on routes etc.  

We are keen to support cyclists visiting Clarence House and have a lockable shed for safe and convenient cycle storage. Stay tuned for upcoming uploads of Clarence House's favourite cycling routes:

Route 1:  Ryde Pier to Clarence House

Route 2: Short Loop East from Clarence House

Route 3: Short Loop West from Clarence House

Route 4: Longer Western route taking in downs

Route 5: MTB Circuit of the Downs

Route 6: Round the Island (inc. Seaview, Ryde and Needles)


Bike Hire

It is possible to hire bikes during your stay at a number of locations around the island.

Most convenient and with the widest selection of bikes is Route 57 who operate from 2 locations in Shanklin, but you could also try Isle Cycle in Sandown, TAV Cycles in Ryde or for the west of the island Wight Cycle Hire in Yarmouth.