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The 6 Best Motorbike Rides in the World
From Route 66 in America to the wild bends of the Cat and Fiddle in the UK. These are the 6 Best Motorbike Rides in the World.
New to biking? After you’ve got to grips with basic road riding and those all-important defensive riding skills, you’ll probably want to get out on the open road and experience the freedom that comes with owning a bike.
Just because you haven’t been biking for long, it doesn’t mean you can’t dream about future challenges. When you’re ready to try something more daring, here are a few of the best biking roads around the world.
The 6 Best Motorbike Rides in the World
Cat and Fiddle, UK
The Cat and Fiddle runs between Buxton in Derbyshire and Macclesfield in Cheshire and is named after the pub at the summit. It’s definitely for competent bikers only. This 12km stretch of road through the Peak District National Park was named the UK’s most dangerous road by the Road Safety Foundation.
Cat and Fiddle is famous for its impressive views and precarious bends, especially the tight corners near Macclesfield. To help improve safety the speed limit has recently been reduced to 50pmh and is enforced by speed cameras and unmarked police cars. It’s still a great road to ride, just wait until you’re experienced enough.
Jotunheimen National Park, Norway
There are plenty of excellent biking roads in Norway, and many experienced riders rank it as one of the top countries to ride. One of the best places to bike in Norway is the Jotunheimen National Park, which covers 3,500 square kilometers and is home to Norway’s highest mountain, Galdhøpiggen.
The scenery is fantastic, but that’s not the only attraction, the park is home to a variety of Scandinavian wildlife, including elk, wolverines and lynx. For mountain panoramas, two roads from Lom come highly recommended: the Sognefjellet Road between Lom and Lustrafjorden, and the road between Lom and Kaupanger.
B500, Germany
Head to the Black Forest in Germany for a 40 mile stretch of road that is biker heaven. Also known as the Schwarzwaldhochstraße, or the Black Forest High Street, the B500 runs between Baden-Baden and Freudenstadt.
The B500 boasts smooth tarmac, plenty of bends and some fabulous scenery. It only takes about an hour to drive, so you can spend a few days getting to know the route. Make sure you take it easy the first time, and don’t try to keep up with the locals. Anyone who knows the road well will easily leave you in their dust.
The Transfagarasan Highway, Romania
Top Gear’s best driving road ever was built in the 1970s and is also known as the DN7C. It’s the second highest road in Romania, connecting the regions of Transylvania and Wallachia.
Clarkson and co weren’t wrong – Transfagarasan is an awesome road to ride. For over 90km it twists and turns its way through the Southern Carpathians. Treats include hairpin bends, a long unlit tunnel and some creepy looking roadside monasteries and castles. You even pass Vlad the Impaler’s former home, Poienari fortress. The Transfagarasan Highway is closed in the winter and despite its newfound fame, traffic is fairly light as it’s so remote.
Route 66, USA
Probably the most famous road in the world, America’s ‘Mother Road’ is more than just a way to get from A to B; it’s a cultural icon. Whilst some of the original route is poorly paved and difficult to negotiate, it’s still fabulous to ride if you have the time.
Depart from downtown Chicago and nearly 4,000 miles later you’ll arrive in Santa Monica, California. In between you pass through small towns, some of them deserted, and along dusty desert tracks. Whilst its length makes Route 66 a bit of an endurance test, it’s definitely a must for any biker wanting to discover the United States.
Ho Chi Minh Trail, Vietnam
Travel the back roads of Vietnam from north to south, or vice versa, on tracks only accessible by foot or bike. The scenery is amazing as you cross mountain passes and take in rice terraces and remote villages.
The Ho Chi Minh Trail dates back to the Vietnam War. You can rent bikes locally to do the trail, or take a guided tour. The whole route takes at least 14 days, but you can also do sections if you can’t spare that much time. Roads are unpaved, so when it rains they turn in to mud tracks, this makes the sense of adventure even greater.
Are you a biker? What are your 6 Best Motorbike Rides in the World?
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Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar
Find out why Sand boarding, Diving and Safaris through the desert are included in the Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar.
Qatar is a country of reinvention. Shimmering towerblocks rise against a desert horizon, and maze-like souks thrive next to 21st-century shopping palaces. It’s also one of the more accessible countries of the Arab Gulf, with a welcoming reputation towards visitors and plenty of attractions to keep them coming. Some of the best holiday activities you’ll find in Qatar are the adventurous kind. And these are the top 5 outdoor adventure activities in Qatar.
Sunset in Qatar – Photo by wj2012
Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar
Diving expeditions
The Gulf Sea is famed for its crystal waters and the exuberant marine life which lurks just beneath the surface. Messaid is a good jumping-off point where you’ll find angelfish and barracuda, while those intrigued by underwater wrecks will love the Hall Island dive site at Al-Sharqi, where bright clownfish circle the abandoned boat.
Sand Adventures
Many of the sports here have been adapted from colder climates, so instead of skiing down a mountain piste, try Khor Al Adaid beach to glide down the impressive dunes on a sand-board. Alternatively, race your blo-kart along the sands of Al Wakrah, south of capital Doha, to experience the thrill of wind-sailing on dry land.
Sand Boarding – Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar – Photo by ground zero
Al Jassasiya
The ancient carvings of Al Jassasiya lie to the north near Al Shamal, amid a truly remote landscape of village ruins and limestone. Hire a 4×4 of your own and make the journey to see the 900 petroglyphs which riddle the rocks here. The carvings denote flowers, animals, fleets of shows, or traditional Arab boats, and to this day, their origins remain a mystery.
Sunset Cruise
When the time comes for a more relaxed excursion, you can do no better than a sunset cruise onboard a wooden dhow as you drift past the super-modern Doha seafront of Al-Corniche and the old harbor at Al Khor. If you’re still hankering after some adventure, rent a smaller vessel and go for a fishing trip the following day.
Desert Safaris
Much of the inland desert in Qatar remains inaccessible on foot, but fortunately, that’s where a 4×4 comes in very handy for a safari trip you won’t easily forget. There are numerous options available from Doha, including day-long excursions, bumping, and rolling to the inland sea at Khor Al Adaid. Or make the trip at dusk for a spot of star-gazing before you settle in Bedouin-style tents for the night.
Desert Safari – Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar – Photo by robertpaulyoung
Most activities can be arranged via a tour company. Although cash has been the predominant payment method in Qatar, this is beginning to change, which is good news for tourists since HSBC offers protection against loss or theft. If you’re planning on taking part in several activities, it can be handy to have some plastic on you to avoid expensive traveler’s cheques, plus credit cards from HSBC and other familiar providers also enable easy access to money at the ATMs. However, it’s wise to exercise caution, using only official bank machines here and sticking with local currency at the market and in smaller shops.
There’s no doubt that Qatar offers some world-class cultural attractions beyond the more energetic highlights, and while you’re in the country, set aside some time for the historic Al Zubarah fort or browse the recreated 19th-century Souk-Waqif, in Doha.
This country has been undervalued in the past but is now coming to the world’s attention. With its desert adventures, ancient sites, and thriving culture, this attention is thoroughly deserved.
This is a travel feature by world traveler, Jose Capelo. He loves exploring the top 5 outdoor adventure activities in Qatar and has spent many trips exploring the wild deserts of Qatar.
Bondi is well known for sun, surf, and fun, but what can you do if you find yourself there in the colder months from June to August? Here are a few suggestions for things to do in Sydney’s most popular suburb when the temperature drops.
8 Things to do in Bondi in Winter
1. Go on an art tour
If the weather doesn’t allow for the typical outdoorsy activities Bondi is known for, a tour of some of its first-rate art galleries can be a great way to spend an afternoon. Don’t miss the Cooee Aboriginal Art Gallery, dedicated to promoting Indigenous art, and the Bondi Art Lounge, where you can view works from local artists or even take a beginner class and create a masterpiece of your own.
2. Take a hike
In crisp cool temperatures, a hike along the coastal cliffs with a view of the gorgeous Pacific Ocean below can’t be beaten. One of the most popular hikes is the Bondi to Coogee Walk, which is 6 km and takes you through Sydney’s eastern suburbs and past plenty of cafes, restaurants, and kiosks where you can stop to rest and take in the sights.
3. Head to Bondi Icebergs for some winter swimming
Even during winter, swimming is not entirely out of the question in Bondi. The Oceanside pool at Bondi Icebergs Club is open year-round, and the winter swims every Sunday from May to September have become a time-honored tradition. Although club members must complete at least three winter swims a year to retain their lofty membership title, non-members who are up for the challenge can pay a one-time fee to use the pool and sauna.
4. Strap on your skates and visit the only beachside skating rink in Australia
If winter swimming is a step too far for you, why not skate instead? Bondi has Australia’s only beachside ice rink, and the ocean view in the background makes for a striking contrast. The ice rink is open from June 27 to July 13, and aside from hosting skating sessions that are open to the public, it also features spectacular ice shows from Stars On Ice.
5. Settle in for brunch at one of Bondi’s decadent cafes
Winter wouldn’t be the same without a few indulgences, and after all your skating and hiking, you’ve probably earned a hearty brunch anyway. Fortunately, Bondi is full of great brunch options, from Trio Café with delicacies like poached eggs with truffle oil and char-grilled halloumi; to the rustic Brown Sugar, where you can indulge in classic comfort food like buttermilk pancakes and English muffins with bacon.
6. Join a cooking class, dodge ball game, or salsa lesson
During the winter, it may seem like most people have gone off to hibernate, but if you know where to look, you can still find plenty of social things to do. Start by checking out the Bondi community page on Gumtree. You can find like-minded individuals to explore the area with or even join a group for fun activities like hiking, biking, or cooking.
7. Score some vintage fashion at Bondi Markets
The Bondi Markets, held every Sunday on Bondi Beach, are known in Sydney for being the best place to shop for vintage clothing and accessories and hip new fashions from emerging designers. Aside from style, you can also shop for art, furniture, flowers, books, local produce, and delicious street eats. Even if you don’t buy anything, it’s a great place to do some people-watching and see the Bondi locals in their element.
8. Stop by the Bondi Pavilion
The Bondi Pavilion is one of the suburb’s oldest landmarks dating back to 1928 when it first opened, featuring grand dining rooms, a lounge, a ballroom, and the Turkish and Hot Sea Water Baths. Today, it’s used as an art and cultural center and is home to a theatre group, recording studio, and art gallery. There’s always something going on here, from pottery classes to festivals to open-air cinemas, so check it out if you have a chance.
We have been wearing out our jandals (Kiwi for flip-flops) on our travel adventures around the world since 2009. We think our blog is thought provoking and a little witty. But we have been proven wrong before. Find out more about us here...
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