Enjoy Isle of Wight’s stunning scenery with a sightseeing bike ride
I AM standing on the edge of the world – and feeling all Wight.
Blue waters stretch as far as the eye can see, with ochre-coloured cliffs sliding into the sea just below.
No thoughts of face masks or hand gel. I feel like I’m a million miles away from the disaster that has been 2020.
So where am I? If you haven’t guessed from the terrible pun, it’s the Isle of Wight.
I’m on the western tip of the island, overlooking the magnificent landmark rock formations known as The Needles.
It’s a chilly day in December and the isle is showing off all its natural beauty, the row of chalk stacks rising about 30 metres out of the sparkling sea.
Standing on top of the cliffs to take in the view comes during a well- deserved break for myself and my husband.
We are cycling around the island, almost 70 miles, during our long-weekend escape from London.
If you are a keen rider, heading to the Isle of Wight is a no-brainer.
There are plenty of hills to keep you entertained but the majority of the roads are smooth and easy.
The scenery as you travel along is stunning and the coastal path means you often have a stretch of water on one side. But even when you are cycling more inland, the lanes are fun to zoom along, with woods all around.
We took in most of the island over three days, covering about 200 miles if you count the detours as we explored up and down.
You get a taste of everything — muddy tracks, long stretches of straight and climbs that completely take your breath away.
Plus, there are plenty of cafes and tea gardens to help you keep up your energy.
SEASIDE PALACE
The Spyglass Inn is just one restaurant that makes the most of the sea views, sitting pretty over Ventnor Bay.
But if a long-distance bike ride isn’t for you, the Isle of Wight has plenty of quicker options. A host of bike trails are detailed at .
You can try out a shorter route on a cycle or one of the dozens of walking tracks that wind around the picturesque island.
But I’m biased, so I would say you get to see the best of it on two wheels.
And you don’t even have to bring your own bikes.
GO: ISLE OF WIGHT
GETTING THERE: Up to 200 ferry crossings a day from Portsmouth, Southampton and Lymington. See or .
STAYING THERE: Aria Resorts’ The Lakes Rookley park is in a countryside setting in the centre of the island. Four nights midweek starts from £94. See or call 03333 700 555.
OUT & ABOUT: The Needles boat rides, car parks, toilets and facilities are shut for 2020 but you can admire the view.
MORE INFO: See .
There are hire shops in Yarmouth, Cowes and Shanklin for those who want to travel light.
Cycling and walking aside, you can also visit the island’s popular garlic farm, marvel at its monastery or explore the zoo. Plus, Queen Victoria and her husband Prince Albert loved to holiday here and you can check out their seaside palace, Osborne House.
Carisbrooke Castle is a great sight for any history fans too.
There are lovely sandy beaches on the island, with many surfers and windsurfers often seen soaking up the action.
Or, just use your break as an escape from the world, like we did.
Curled up in our own little retreat thanks to Sykes Cottages, watching the red squirrels skitter along the fence outside as we read was one of our highlights.
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A night-time walk to see the stars — a novelty for this nature-deprived Londoner — was yet another perfect way to unwind.
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It has been a big year but these three days were the switch-off I needed.
And . . . isle be back.
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