Isle of Wight Cycle
Isle of Wight Cycle
Isle of Wight Cycle
5 Days Starting and ending in Ryde
Visiting: England
From:
$686 (USD)NB: Prices correct on 18-May-2024 but subject to change.
Tour Overview
This is a lovely short break for cyclists who want an attractive sightseeing tour, with a mixture of town and country. Almost half the island has been designated as an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Distances are fairly short giving you time to stop and explore. The route is undulating and there are a few hills but nothing particularly difficult. The holiday starts in the old seaside town of Ryde - the largest town on the island. Hire bikes are collected and the ride starts on mixed surfaces passing the interesting brick built Quarr Abbey and past Osborne House and Cowes, famous for its regattas. After the beaches of the north, the route tracks inland on fast roads through some attractive forest and farmlands and the estuary around Newport to the old town of Yarmouth. The route then cuts the busy western end of the island off by taking a cycle path following an old railway line to Freshwater Bay. You do have the option to take a diversion to ascend to the Needles Park for some splendid views. In good weather follow the Tennyson Trail to Brighstone and onto the ship wreck capital of the island - Chale. There is a final mix of hills around Bembridge Down, passing inland to visit attractive villages and a unique windmill and harbour before the last coastal stretch back into Ryde.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive Ryde
Ideally, take the train to Portsmouth and then the ferry or hovercraft (world's last year-round passenger service hovercraft!) over to the island. Ryde is a typical seaside town, take your time to explore and maybe try traditional fish 'n' chips on the promenade.
Accommodation: The Wight House is situated at the higher end of town, close to the bike hire shop and with plenty of options to go for a meal around.
Day 2 : Ryde To Yarmouth 39Km / 24.25 Miles
A great first day's ride takes you from the busy suburbs of Ryde and Cowes, to the beach resort of Gurnard and then through the pastoral elegance inland, winding through Newtown and some beautiful small villages before rolling into Yarmouth, a pretty, historic seaside town. On the way, the big attraction is Queen Victoria’s Osborne House. This is a big site, so you will need to watch your time if you visit. There is also Quarr Abbey, St. Mildred's Church in Whippingham, and Cowes. Newtown was the original capital of the island, which was attacked by the French in 1377 and never recovered. The old townhall dates back to the 1690's and is now in the care of the National Trust along with much of the surrounding land. Finally, you push into the old town of Yarmouth with its small pier and castle as well as the attractive square, independent shops, cafes and church.
Accommodation: The Bugle Coaching Inn (room only) is a charming 16th century inn situated in the heart of Yarmouth's market square and only a stone's throw from the sea & harbour. Bike storage is through the back. Tea & coffee making facilities in the rooms, which are all en-suite.
Day 3 : Yarmouth To Chale (Via The Needles) 38 Km / 23.6 Miles
Meals Included: B
A cycle ride full of beauty with some hills, including an optional couple of steep hairpins up to the New Battery at The Needles Park. From here you can go no further and have great views of the teeth-like stacks (The Needles) jutting out of the headland. It is not such a hard climb, and if you don’t want to cycle up, you could even walk or get the bus from the Alum Bay car park. Freshwater Bay then has a couple of attractions including a thatched church, then there is the (optional) chalky downland ride up and over the grassy downs called ‘The Tennyson Trail,’ this can also be bypassed if you don’t feel like it. The second half of the day is a bit easier with fast country roads, narrow winding lanes and pretty villages such as Brighstone, with some thatched cottages. Finally, returning nearer to the coast, you arrive at the village of Chale underneath St. Catherine’s Down with its medieval lighthouse, the oratory tower. Chale Bay was at one time known as the Bay of Death; sixty ships were lost here between 1746 and 1808. Nearby are the Wealdon Beds which have yielded fossilised remains of dinosaurs.
Accommodation: The Wight Mouse Inn is peacefully located with impressive views over the white cliffs from its big pub garden, explaining why this is such a popular place with locals and visitors alike. Rooms are spacious and en-suite with tea & coffee making facilities.
Day 4 : Chale To Ryde 42Km / 26 Miles
Meals Included: B
The final day is an interesting hilly mix of downs cycling and coastal stretches towards the end of the day. The route avoids the big tourist resorts of Ventnor, Shanklin and Sandown, opting for attractive hilly inland riding until you reach Bembridge. Here you pass around the estuarine harbour and there are a couple of venues for enjoying fresh crab or lobster. Then you are pedalling inland around pretty St. Helens with its harbour and attractive village green, before reaching the coast road at Seaview. The last few kilometres are a relaxing roll into Ryde along the coastal road, before climbing back into town to deliver your bike to the shop and return to your overnight accommodation.
Day 5 : End Of Tour
Meals Included: B
After breakfast make your way to the pier to catch your return ferry to the mainland.
What's Included
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Accommodation
4 nights in hotels and guesthouses -
3 breakfasts
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4 nights accommodation in B&Bs / Inns with ensuite facilities or private bathrooms where available
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3 luggage transfers (15kg is the total maximum limit)
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Information pack including notes and OS map (1 pack per room booked)
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Emergency contact
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1 night in an Inn on a room only basis
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GPX Files
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Bicycle Hire (non E bike)
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Bike Hire: Hybrid bike. E-Bike Hire on request (supplement applies, please ask us for details)
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Bike Hire: Hybrid bike. E-Bike Hire on request (supplement applies, please ask us for details). Helmet rental is included.
What's Not Included
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Lunches, dinners & beverages
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Travel to and from Ryde
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Bike Hire paid locally - approx £60
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Transfers required during the cycle
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Entrance Fees
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Travel Insurance
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Personal expenses such as laundry and phone calls
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1 breakfast in Yarmouth
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Bike helmet
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Bike helmet & panniers
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Guide - this is a self guided holiday
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A supplement will apply if you are travelling solo or book a single room
What You Carry
As the cycle ride is fully supported you only need to carry are your daily requirements including raincoat, lunch supplies, waterbottle, warm top, camera etc.
Grading
This trip involves cycling between 4-5 hours per day. You will need a good level of fitness and be in good health.
Accommodation
4 nights in hotels and guesthouses
The hotels described are our usual accommodation, however if these are not available then alternatives are used. Rooms generally do not have baths, the main reason being that they take up a lot of space. Some hotels/guesthouses may have a separate room in the house where a bath is available to guests, but in the main it is showers. Note that for the dates of your tour we may not be able to get you into the accommodation described. We will endeavour to get you into a similar standard of accommodation nearby, but please appreciate that there is limited accommodation in rural England. Also, although we aim to get you into accommodations with ensuite rooms, this is not always possible. At a couple of places on your tour you may be sharing bathrooms, particularly if you are in a single room.
Reviews from travellers on this tour
Dates & Availability
Tuesday - Saturday
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Oct 20, 2024 - Oct 24, 2024Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Walkers' Britain requires a minimum deposit of 150 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of walkers' britain charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 69 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 35 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.