BUCKINGHAMSHIRE’S Hambleden Valley is one of England’s true hidden gems. Bypassed by through traffic, it is a lovely spot to explore on foot or bicycle if you keep to the path beside the Hamble Brook.

If we had to choose our “special place”, Andy and I would always choose Exmoor National Park. It’s a place we often escape to. Straddling the Somerset/Devon border, Exmoor’s coastline is littered with

7 11.3km / 7 miles / 4.5 hours Ascent 680m/2231ft

We arrive at the top of High Cup Nick in the North Pennines. “It’s like the world starts just over there,” comments my friend Mark. He’s pointing down the U-shaped chasm of High Cup Gill, beyond whose

5 15.6 km / 9.7 miles / 6 hours Ascent 1080m/3543ft

Bikes love bends, so find out where the UK’s best combinations of corners are with RiDE’s guide to the ultimate stretches of twisty tarmac