Family Cycling on the Isle of Wight - Route 13 - Sunshine Trail

Route 13 - Sunshine Trail Map - Named as it's said the area has the largest amount of sunshine in the country. Its a 12 Mile (19km) circular route that uses a mixture of surfaces to compliment it's surroundings. The trail goes through Sandown, Shanklin, Wroxhall, Godshill (a great place to stop as it's the midway point, for some refreshments, Godshill is known for a great cream tea) Merstone, Horringford, Langbridge, Alverstone and Newchurch. A great day out for all the family due to the trail being 95% off road.

Cycle Hire is available from Isleofwighthire.co.uk who have their offices 1st Call Car, Van & Cycle Hire in Sandown and Top Gear Vehicle Rentals Ltd in Cowes.

Read more...

Cycle on the Isle of Wight - Route 12 - Shanklin

Route 12 Shanklin Map - Very Hilly route that is not only steep but the ascent and descents seem to go on forever. You are rewarded with some great views though. 12 Miles (19km)

Cycle Hire is available from Isleofwighthire.co.uk who have their offices 1st Call Car, Van & Cycle Hire in Sandown and Top Gear Vehicle Rentals Ltd in Cowes.

Read more...

Cycling on the Isle of Wight - Route 11 - Sandown

Route 11 Sandown Map - Very easy going route that only covers 5 miles (8km) but also has some great views across Sandown Bay and passes through some wonderful countryside.

Cycle Hire is available from Isleofwighthire.co.uk who have their offices 1st Call Car, Van & Cycle Hire in Sandown and Top Gear Vehicle Rentals Ltd in Cowes.

Read more...

Cycle Isle of Wight - Route 10 - Carisbrooke

Route 10 Carisbrooke Map - This 12 mile (19km) route is an easy going trail through the rural heart of the Island. A little hilly but encompasses Carisbrooke and Shorwell whilst coming close to Chillerton & Rookley. This could be the ideal way to take in some great scenery and see Carisbrooke Castle.

Cycle Hire is available from Isleofwighthire.co.uk who have their offices 1st Call Car, Van & Cycle Hire in Sandown and Top Gear Vehicle Rentals Ltd in Cowes.

Read more...

Cycle Isle of Wight - Route 9 - Newport

Route 9 Newport Map - This steady 10 miler (16km) leaves the hustle and bustle of the principle town behind to allow you to enjoy the countryside. Some great views and scenery make this a beautiful ride. Route 23 (Cowes to Sandown) makes up some of the trail with the rest being made up by quiet country roads.

Cycle Hire is available from Isleofwighthire.co.uk who have their offices 1st Call Car, Van & Cycle Hire in Sandown and Top Gear Vehicle Rentals Ltd in Cowes.

Read more...

Cycle Isle of Wight - Route 8 - Ryde

Route 8 Ryde Map - A much more relaxed ride from Ryde which goes East following the coast line to the lovely towns of St Helens and Bembridge before heading back inland via Brading and Upton and concluding back in Ryde. This is a 15 mile route (25km)

Cycle Hire is available from Isleofwighthire.co.uk who have their offices 1st Call Car, Van & Cycle Hire in Sandown and Top Gear Vehicle Rentals Ltd in Cowes.

Read more...

Cycling on the Isle of Wight - Route 7 - Ryde

Route 7 Ryde Map - Although labelled Ryde this route takes you out of Ryde into the countryside that lies behind borrowing sections of the Sandown cycleway to take you through Havenstreet (you could always veer off course to the IW Steam Railway in Havenstreet) through the smaller villages of Langbridge, Newchurch, Alverstone and Adgestone and then onto the lovely village of Brading where you could stop off at the Brading Experience before going back through the sleepy village of Upton back to Ryde. This is a 15 Mile (25km) ride which is quite hilly.

Cycle Hire is available from Isleofwighthire.co.uk who have their offices 1st Call Car, Van & Cycle Hire in Sandown and Top Gear Vehicle Rentals Ltd in Cowes.

Read more...

Cycling on the Isle of Wight - Route 6 - Brighstone

Route 6 Brighstone Map - A figure of eight ride from Brighstone along gently undulating country lanes to Chale. Access to Blackgang Chine can be made at the Chale end of the trail. This is a 12 mile route (20km) which can be enjoyed in either direction.

Cycle Hire is available from Isleofwighthire.co.uk who have their offices 1st Call Car, Van & Cycle Hire in Sandown and Top Gear Vehicle Rentals Ltd in Cowes.

Read more...

Cycling on the Isle of Wight - Route 5 Brighstone

Route 5 Brighstone Map - An incredibly steep experience and definately one for the mountain biker in you. If your brave enough there are some fantastic views! 10 Miles (16km) The Crown Inn in shorwell would be a welcomed stop for refreshments.

Cycle Hire is available from Isleofwighthire.co.uk who have their offices 1st Call Car, Van & Cycle Hire in Sandown and Top Gear Vehicle Rentals Ltd in Cowes.

Read more...

Cycling Isle of Wight - Route 4 - Cowes

Route 4 Cowes Map - This split section route can be enjoyed in 2 ways, Parkhurst Forest provides a short cut right through the middle of the outer trail but be warned that's the hillier route. If you do the full distance Newtown Creek is your furthest point west and a very beautiful area to stop off and admire the view. With the exception of the Parkhurst Forest cut off this is a fairly flat trail with hills here and there. Personally I would go anti clockwise and soak up the views from Gurnard Bay on the way back. 16 miles (28km)

Cycle Hire is available from Isleofwighthire.co.uk who have their offices 1st Call Car, Van & Cycle Hire in Sandown and Top Gear Vehicle Rentals Ltd in Cowes.

Read more...

Cycling on the Isle of Wight - Route 3 - Cowes

Route 3 Cowes map - Nice steady ride that takes you either side of the River Medina on a circular route via the Floating Bridge (Chain Ferry). A 9 mile (15km) route that is fairly flat with the hillier section on the East Cowes side of the river medina. Personally I would ride anti clockwise and take the hill on first, making Newport a great stopping off point in the middle for some well deserved refreshments. The latter leg back to Cowes is the old railway line and gives some great up close views of the Medina River.

Cycle Hire is available from Isleofwighthire.co.uk who have their offices 1st Call Car, Van & Cycle Hire in Sandown and Top Gear Vehicle Rentals Ltd in Cowes.

Read more...

Cycling on the Isle of Wight - Route 2 - Yarmouth

Route 2 Yarmouth Map - Not for the amateur, this is a tough and steep ride that takes you inland towards Chessell then back West towards Freshwater Bay, the loop brings you back to your start point in Yarmouth. The route is 12 Miles (19km)

Cycle Hire is available from Isleofwighthire.co.uk who have their offices 1st Call Car, Van & Cycle Hire in Sandown and Top Gear Vehicle Rentals Ltd in Cowes.

Read more...

Cycling on the Isle of Wight - Route 1 - Yarmouth

Route 1 Yarmouth Map - An easy going ride around Yarmouth, Freshwater and Totland Bay area's. The route is predominantly on road and covers a distance of 9 miles (15km) It is a circular route that can be enjoyed in either direction. My consensus is that an anti clockwise route will offer the tougher section to start and give you a smoother ride en route back.

Cycle Hire is available from Isleofwighthire.co.uk who have their offices 1st Call Car, Van & Cycle Hire in Sandown and Top Gear Vehicle Rentals Ltd in Cowes.

Read more...

Eating Out - Isle of Wight

There are hundreds of great eateries on the Island, but wouldn't it be great if you had some feedback before you went? I thought why make another guide when there is already a great one out there, for more information on eateries on the Isle of Wight look no further than Matt & Cat's Isle of Wight eating out guide giving not only their reviews but others feedback much the same as our website.

Read more...