Virtual Cycling Challenges are an ideal way to get fit, providing you with vital benefits such as motivation and accountability that will keep you on the straight and narrow.
There are different ways that you might want to complete your challenge, whether it’s hitting the gym and smashing the distances on a cycling machine or during a gruelling spin class, or it’s going offroad on your mountain bike on a forest trail.
One of the most popular methods of tackling the Fitwins virtual cycling challenge, however, is by saddling up and hitting the roads for a long-distance session. For example, close to the Fitwins HQ, there are the wildly popular Woodhead Pass and Snake Pass that connect Yorkshire and Derbyshire with Lancashire over the Pennines, and which were traversed by famous cyclists like Chris Froome and Geraint Thomas when the Tour de France came to the UK. Parts of the trail to this day still carry the cycling-mad marks of those special times.
This blog celebrates the beauty of the British Isles and the challenging real-life cycle routes that you could consider taking as a way of completing your Fitwins Virtual Cycling Challenge, with some top tips for along the way. Let’s get straight into it!
The North Coast 500
The North Coast 500 is a 516-mile (829km) long scenic route that circles the northern tip of Scotland. It takes in some of the most stunning scenery in the country, including mountains, lochs, and coastline.
The route starts at Inverness and heads north along the coast, passing through some of the most remote and beautiful parts of Scotland. It then heads inland, through the Highlands, before returning to Inverness via the east coast.
Along the way, cyclists can see a variety of different landscapes, from the rugged mountains of the Highlands to the sandy beaches of the west coast. They can also visit some of Scotland’s most popular tourist destinations, such as John O’Groats, Dunrobin Castle, and the Kyle of Lochalsh.
The NC500 is a challenging route, but it is also a rewarding one. Cyclists who complete the route will be rewarded with some of the most stunning scenery in the world.
The NC500 is a great way to see some of the most stunning scenery in the world. If you’re looking for a challenging and rewarding cycling experience, then the NC500 is the perfect route for you.
The South Downs Way
The South Downs Way is a long-distance National Trail in South East England. It runs for approximately 100 miles (160 km) from Winchester in Hampshire to Eastbourne in East Sussex and is set completely within the confines of the national park. The route is mostly off-road and traffic-free, making it a great choice for mountain bike enthusiasts.
The South Downs Way takes in some of the most beautiful scenery in the UK, including the rolling hills, chalk downs, and coastal scenery.
The South Downs Way is a relatively short route compared to some of the other trails on our list, but don’t let that put you too much at ease. It’s unforgiving and will be a challenge, so be sure to take plenty of stops to recuprate and move on.
The Trans Pennine Trail
The Trans Pennine Trail is a National Cycle Route that runs from Southport in the North West of England to Hornsea in the East Riding of Yorkshire, essentially connecting the Irish and North Seas. It is 215 miles (346km) long and passes through some of the most beautiful countryside in the UK. The route is mostly off-road and traffic-free, making it a great choice for cyclists of all levels of experience.
The Transpennine Trail is divided into three sections:
The West
The West section of the Transpennine Trail runs from Southport to Marsden. It is 72 miles (116km) long and passes through the Peak District National Park. The route is mostly off-road and traffic-free, making it a great choice for cyclists of all levels of experience.
The Central
The Central section of the Transpennine Trail runs from Marsden to Ilkley. It is 57 miles (92km) long and passes through the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The route is mostly off-road and traffic-free, making it a great choice for cyclists of all levels of experience.
The East
The East section of the Transpennine Trail runs from Ilkley to Hornsea. It is 86 miles (139km) long and passes through the Yorkshire Wolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The route is mostly off-road and traffic-free, making it a great choice for cyclists of all levels of experience.
The Transpennine Trail is a great way to see some of the most beautiful countryside in the UK. If you’re looking for a leisurely and scenic cycling experience, then the Transpennine Trail is the perfect route for you.
The Cornish Way
The Cornish Way is a long-distance cycle route that runs for 180 miles (288 km) from Land’s End to Bude in Cornwall, England. It is part of the National Cycle Network and is a very popular route for cyclists of all levels of experience.
The route takes in some of the most beautiful scenery in Cornwall, including the rugged coastline, rolling hills, and lush countryside. Cyclists can also visit some of Cornwall’s most popular tourist destinations, such as St Ives, Penzance, and Truro.
The Cornish Way is a relatively easy route, making it a good choice for cyclists of all levels of experience. Like the Cotswold Way, it is also very well-marked and signposted, making it easy to follow.
The Lôn Las Cymru
This is a big one, particularly if you’re looking to smash the 3000km Fitwins cycling challenge, and love to get away for week-long cycling holidays. The Lôn Las Cymru, also known as National Cycle Route 8, is a long-distance cycle route that runs for 1,800 miles (2,900 km) all the way around Wales.
The route is divided into 18 sections, each of which can be completed in a day or two. The sections are all well-signposted and easy to follow, making it a great option for cyclists of all levels of experience.
The Lôn Las Cymru will take you through incredible landscapes and offer tremendous scenery, including the mountains of Snowdonia, the Brecon Beacons, and the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. Cyclists can also visit some of Wales’ most popular tourist destinations, such as Cardiff, Conwy, and Aberystwyth.
The Lôn Las Cymru is a great way to see some of the most beautiful scenery in the UK. If you’re looking for a leisurely and scenic cycling experience over the course of a week, then the Lôn Las Cymru is the perfect route for you.
Here are some tips for cycling long-distance routes
- Plan your route in advance. These famous routes are long and challenging, so it’s important to plan your route in advance. This will help you to make the most of your time and avoid getting lost.
- Be prepared for the weather. The weather in the UK can be unpredictable, so it’s important to be prepared for all types of weather conditions. Pack a variety of clothing and be prepared for rain, wind, and sun.
- Stay hydrated. Particularly in the summer months, it can be easy to forget to take a minute to absorb some water or juice. Stay safe, stay hydrated.
- Take your time. These are long, long routes, so don’t try to do them all in one go. Take your time and enjoy the scenery.
- Stay safe. Some of these trails can be very remote, so it’s important to stay safe. Let someone know where you’re going and when you expect to be back. Be aware of the traffic and obey the speed limit.
These exciting and breath-taking routes are a guaranteed and different way of tackling a virtual cycling challenge. By signing up for a Fitwins virtual cycling challenge, you also guarantee yourself something as a bona fide reward for the effort in the form of a premium quality reward pack, including certificate of achievement, goodies from our partnered brands, and a heavyweight medal.
How our challenges work
First you would need to download the Fitwins Virtual Fitness Challenge app via Google or Apple and register your details to get your account set up. Once you’re in the app, you will register for the latest challenge for free or purchase credits that enable medal entry, and register for the premium challenge. Once you have joined the challenge, you simply need to start pedalling.
For each stroke of the pedals you take, your profile will begin travelling the world using a Google Streetview-powered progress tracker, with different checkpoints to hit. You can explore the world via the app, dropping the little Peg Man onto your route, and see places you never knew existed.
Your first main milestone is 50km, and once you hit it, you can take on the next challenge of 100km if you think you’ll have time to get there. These different milestones increase gradually, until you’re taking on the mighty 3000km challenge.
Our app works with Strava, so to get the best experience you will link your Strava account (although we will be introducing new partner apps in the near future with some exciting announcements expected soon) to track your progress via GPS. For those without Strava, you can manually input your progress as you go.
Simply follow the links below to download the app on your preferred operating system and get on your way to some amazing achievements.
