RIDES
Famous riding spots draw the big crowds, but you can have an equally thrilling ride on these alternatives, located not far from many classic tracks
SOUTH EAST NOT PEASLAKE – ELSTEAD 36.2km (22.5 miles)
The Surrey Hills has a huge catchment area, and with a first class trail network tucked away between the trees it’s no surprise it’s constantly buzzing with riders. If you want an alternative to the usual Peaslake pleasers then head a little west, as the area between Godalming and Farnham has managed to, so far, stay relatively under the radar. This ride orbits the town of Elstead while deftly avoiding it, instead taking you on an alternative tour of some of Surrey’s hills, commons and woodland and proving that it always pays to think different. GPS download: bit.ly/ElsteadRide
SCOTTISH BORDERS NOT THE TWEED VALLEY – SELKIRK 29.3km (18.2 miles)
The gravitational pull of the Tweed Valley is hard to escape. Glentress, Innerleithen, the Golfie – it’s the place to ride in the Scottish Borders. But if you’d like something a little less obvious, where your chances of meeting another rider are infinitely lower, then head over the hill to Selkirk. This is a route that taps into mountain biking’s roots. There are no finger posts or hand-dug berms, it’s a properly good day out on less familiar terrain. If you like your riding a little more raw and want to get back to basics – in the best possible way – this ride is for you. GPS download: bit.ly/SelkirkRide
LAKE DISTRICT NOT HELVELLYN -GREENUP EDGE 36.7km (22.8 miles)
There’s no escaping the fact that the central Lakes are never going to be quiet. Helvellyn and its many bridleways are the big draw in the area, but by giving it a swerve you can find yourself on a mountain adventure that delivers everything Helvellyn does, just without the trail traffic. Starting in Rosthwaite, at the bottom of Borrowdale, this route takes you up Greenup Edge, down to Grasmere, into Langdale and then over to Sty Head. Riding, pushing, carrying, rough and
