I’ve seen numerous individuals asking for ideas when planning their adventures biking on Isle of Wight (IoW), a small island off the south coast of England, and it kinda piqued my curiosity. Nonetheless, I’m not the largest fan of hills and it turned clear that IoW has superb views but it surely’s additionally very hilly and might be extraordinarily windy in components.

MUST READ: How To Tackle Hills In Cycling

With the Isle of Wight biking loop being round 65miles / 105km, it’s doable in a day, so excellent for a day journey. Nonetheless, I envisage leaving loads of time to benefit from the views, cease for cake, espresso and meals in addition to having fun with the evenings with out having to hurry for a ferry again dwelling.

So whereas I set about dreaming and planning my very own Isle of Wight biking journey, I’ve documented every little thing I’ve learnt right here on this submit so you may plan an journey to swimsuit you too.

Though I’m predominately a highway bicycle owner, IoW additionally comes extremely suggest for off highway using. So I featured a couple of nuggets of knowledge associated to off highway using slightly later within the submit.

“There are such a lot of nice locations to go to, so many extra trails to discover, the highway surfaces are superb and the drivers are extraordinarily courteous. And the solar shone all weekend!”

Right here’s a few of what I’ve lined:

• How To Get To Isle of Wight
• The place To Keep
• Isle of Wight Bike Rent
• Isle of Wight Biking Routes
  • Isle of Wight Biking FAQ:
  • IoW Randonnee
  • Strava Biking Route Concepts
  • Trails & Off-Highway Routes
  • The place To Cease For Espresso, Snacks & Meals
• Remaining Suggestions For Your Experience

Earlier than I dive into the element, an enormous shout out must go to Becca who offered all the photographs shared within the submit. Try her Instagram to observe her biking journey and adventures.

MUST READ: Cycling London to Paris for Beginners

How To Get To Isle of Wight

First issues first, it’s good to get to the Isle of Wight and to do this you may have a couple of choices. Should you’re going over on a day journey then you may journey simply you and your bike as a foot passenger in any other case you may guide and journey throughout along with your automotive.

Whichever choice you select, there are common companies from the south coast of England to ports on the north aspect of the Isle of Wight.

• Southampton to East Cowes; as much as 1 hour 
• Southampton to Cowes; beneath 25 minutes
• Portsmouth to Ryde; roughly 22 minutes
• Southsea (Portsmouth) to Ryde; 10 minutes
• Portsmouth to Fishbourne; roughly 45 minutes
• Lymington to Yarmouth; half-hour 

Should you’re coming from additional afield, nearly all of the trains from London (and surrounding) to Southampton and Portsmouth accommodate bikes. Pre-book all of your practice tickets (and bike spots) and ferry tickets to make sure you get on.

A great tip – one thing I learnt when using London to Paris – is to carry cleat covers to make the steps on the ferry rather less deadly.

Parking Your Automotive

Should you’ve chosen to drive, you may park your automotive earlier than you get on the ferry or use the automotive ferry to journey over to IoW.

Just a few individuals really helpful JustPark and Your Parking House to seek out native safe automotive parks to depart their vehicles, earlier than a brief cycle to the ferry terminal.

Remember that when you’re travelling rom Southampton and are attempting to park on a day Southampton FC are enjoying at dwelling, anyplace close to the stadium on match day is a no go. There are a couple of additional choices together with the Triangle automotive park subsequent to the ferry terminal or multi-storeys at Ocean Village and Eastgate St.

The place To Keep

Personally, I’m eager to discover a base on Isle of Wight the place I can chill out every night and cycle from every day (if I select) so I’ve collated a couple of suggest choices for locations to remain on Isle of Wight.

Try:

It’s been recommended that the most effective location to remain can be someplace south of Cowes / Newport the place you may entry each side of the island pretty simply. 

There’s all the time good ‘ol booking.com for lodging too. It’s a helpful website to test costs, photos and critiques however think about reserving direct too.

Isle of Wight Bike Rent

Should you select to not take bike otherwise you’re truly on a daily trip and fancy a trip when you can squeeze one in, one choice is to rent a motorbike.

It appears there aren’t an enormous quantity of choices on the island itself however try Adrian’s bike store in Freshwater, Tavs Cycles in Ryde, or Sandown Bike Hire. You might also have the ability to rent from both Portsmouth or Southampton relying in your route too.

Isle of Wight Biking Routes

Okay, so now we’re getting all the way down to the precise biking on Isle of Wight half – the juicy bit! The 2 essential choices are the total ‘Around the Island’ route, both clockwise or anti-clockwise. There may be additionally slightly chain hyperlink very in Cowes that you simply’ll must get on – or go through a footbridge.

The Around the Island route is properly signposted – simply observe the blue and white signposts. Should you trip clockwise, you get the most effective views with the largest group of hills being in the beginning of the trip.

The clockwise signposts are a white bike on blue diamond on white signal, while the anti-clockwise route is the alternative – blue bike on a white diamond and blue signal.

I’ve heard that the worst of the climbs is up Blackgang Highway but it surely’s a protracted drag relatively than being significantly steep.

With the route being so properly signposted, you shouldn’t have to fret about getting misplaced however you may obtain among the Strava routes from this submit to have in your GPS machine simply incase.

Apparently, it is best to decide your using path relying on wind path alongside south coast, as the remainder of the route is healthier protected. The perfect is having a tailwind alongside the south coast i.e in a westerly wind go anti-clockwise and in an easterly wind rid clockwise. 

Isle of Wight Biking FAQ:

IoW Randonnee

Should you’re on the lookout for an organised occasions then try the IoW Randonnee. It’s a domestically organised occasion appropriate for all ranges of cyclists. Often you may have a selection of a number of completely different routes, ranging in distance from round 50 to 100km with a set time restrict to finish your trip.

The Isle of Wight Randonnee is an annual occasion that takes place on the Sunday earlier than Could Day Public Vacation so the  subsequent one takes place on Sunday thirtieth April 2023. It’s free to enter however you’re inspired to make a donation when you can to assist the occasion to stay free. The Randonnee follows the Spherical The Island cycle routes in a clockwise path.

Strava Biking Route Concepts:

When selecting or planning your route, don’t overlook to consider the elevation and tempo. I do know that after I go, I’ll be using social gathering tempo with numerous stops for photos, espresso and snacks.

The place To Cease For Espresso, Snacks & Meals

I do know that after I make it to the Isle of Wight the very first thing I might be doing is checking in with the Breeze Community Isle of Wight as I heard that they’re followers of biking, chatting & ingesting espresso. Good. They’re gonna know all the most effective spots, proper?!

Plan to cease to refuel round 6 or 7 instances over the 100km, so round each 10miles.

• the Llama farm
• Brighstone Newsagents Cafe
• Chessell Pottery cafe at about 65km clockwise
• Pedlars alongside the cycle observe close to Newchurch is a essential cease
• Newclose Cricket Floor welcomes cyclists simply off of the cycle path heading in to Newport
• lunch in Ventnor
• Bembridge Village Bakery

It’s finest to plan your stops as there isn’t a lot in the best way of espresso stops outdoors of the primary cities, so take this into consideration when planning your route.

Trails & Off-Highway Routes

Should you’d relatively trip some gravel or are using with household, it’s value contemplating the visitors free off highway routes on Isle of Wight.

MUST READ: Bikepacking for Beginners – Lessons to Ride By

The Purple Squirrel Path appears to be a preferred path route excellent for a gravel bike, mountain bike or hybrid. The route is round 20miles and largely flat, operating down the centre of the Island from Cowes to Sandown.

There’s speculated to be a garlic farm on route prefect for a lunch cease.

There’s additionally the Tennyson Path excessive alongside the coast, and the tougher Chalk Ridge Excessive route crossing the Island with all its ups and downs and beatiful views.

Remaining Suggestions For Your Experience

Earlier than I go away you to determine on the ultimate touches of your Isle of Wight biking journey, right here are some things to consider.

Firstly, the climate might be very blended on the island so be sure you pack your sunscreen and a wind or rain jacket too.

Don’t overlook to take some money with you to purchase muffins if someplace doesn’t take playing cards and… be sure you dont go away the island with out stuffing your self with ice cream, fish and chips! 

So when are you going?! Every other ideas so as to add?!

Elle