Anyone got any suggestions for some long distance scenic, off-road cycle tour routes for the fit but technically incompetent (ie lapsed mtb’er turned full-time roadie!).

Looking for 2 day / long weekend tours anywhere in the UK, mostly off-road but happy to include some quiet lanes. Thinking more of old tracks & open moorland, than technical singletrack (though happy to push / carry over short sections that the rest of you would probably ride!). Circular would be good, or accessible at either end by train. And a b&b or bunkhouse mid-route (happy to carry clothes etc, but would prefer to not be lugging a tent and food around).

Any suggestions?

The Ridgeway (when its dry), the South Downs Way, the Pennine Bridleway ?

South downs way? Not exactly open moorland, but fairly panoramic views and a big wide trail. Train access at both ends and plenty of B&B options along the route.

Great Glen Way.
Rob Roy Way – start on the West Highland Way at Milngavie and join the RRW at Drymen.
Outer Cairngorm Loop is mostly ride a blend and non non-technical.
John Muir Way.
Speyside Way / Dava Way loop with an easy linking section on the Moray Coast

Have you done the Mary Towneley Loop yet, Sue? Anti-clockwise gives short steep hike-a-bike climbs, and long gentle descents. Park at Lumb, stay overnight in Hebden Bridge, then return to your car the following day.

Otherwise, the top end of the Pennine Bridleway would be good.

2 from past expereience – exploring the Brecon Beacons and Black Mountains makes a good weekend trip, lots of open bridleway and quiet lanes. Hilly but not very technical generally, just rocky in places. Plotting a route on bikehike or a map is pretty easy. The Ridgeway is a really pleasant route in the dry in summer, recommended. 2 different halves, one open, expansive views end and one more southern woodland trails end, with Goring in the middle for a rest. Probably an easy / short 2 days for a fit rider even when loaded up though. There’s a good bike-friendly route variant on ridgewaydouble.net, it avoids the contentious areas of footpath at the eastern end. Trains not far away at the Swindon and Tring ends.

did a route a few years ago. got train to settle, rode to slaidburn and stayed in yha for 1st night.
then rode over salter fell to wray, then lanes to ingleton.
then twistleton scar to ribblehead, up cam high road to hawes for 2nd night. then lady anne highway to Kirkby Stephen, then lanes to Appleby.
train back to settle.

hoping to do it again in the summer.

This might help if you want a bit more DIY http://www.bridlewaymap.com

Piece together a route through an area you’ve waned to visit/have friends either near you or with decent rail links?

SDW over 2 days is great fun.

Stay at Amberley, Foxleigh Barn, actually on the trail, B&B or a fantastic rent-a-tent £30ea for a pre-pitched tent and all equipment inc camp beds, bags, liners, and a stocked kitchen for your DIY full brekky in the morning.

They will book you in to the Bridge Inn down the road for Dinner too.

this one just opened up in Northumberland http://www.sandstoneway.co.uk/ so long as you can navigate it should be ideal

nedrapier – I looked at that bridleway link and don’t see the point of it. Its not very up to date (dosent have all the bridleways on it). Also it dosent have the detail of the terrain and other usefull information.

An OS map would be way better, such as: http://www.bing.com/maps/

Trimix – I know exactly what you mean! doesn’t have a lot on it, and doesn’t include a lot of other things you might want; byways etc.

But I have found it useful to get a gist of good directions to take before zooming in on the OS maps for the detail.

muddy9mtb – Member
this one just opened up in Northumberland http://www.sandstoneway.co.uk/ so long as you can navigate it should be ideal

Some more thoughts…
http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/sandstone-way-1

There’s the Glen Kinglass route that runs from Loch Tulla through to Loch Etive can be combined with sections of the West Highland Way (Tyndrum or Crianlarich) and finish at Taynuilt for a train back to the start.

Also a loop around Loch Shiel starting at Fort William, getting the ferry across Loch Linhe, riding to Glenfinan and then the length of Loch Shiel. (a fair bit of road on that route but it’s all beautiful. We started at Corran and camped at Glenfinan as it was halfwayish but there’s a bunkhouse in a converted railway carriage.

Actually, that Glen Kinglass route is only a day ride but you could continue on route 78 down Loch Awe to Tarbert and ferry across to Arran.

John Muir, 3 lochs Way.

http://www.threelochsway.co.uk
http://www.balmillig.co.uk

Mid Wales, Machynlleth and South towards the Beacons. Vast areas of remote riding.

Trans Cambrian Way is doable. Nothing massively technical, lots of moorland double track, nice remote feeling, but not generally too far from civilisation, plenty of overnight stops and gps routes online.

Did it last year over three days, but can be done over 4 as well. Also accessible by train via Shrewsbury to the start at Knighton and returning from Dovey Junction or Machynlleth via Shrewsbury. Mach Taxis will also drive you, 3mates and bikes back to Knighton for about £70! Winner!

Don’t do the great glenway. It is mind numbing dull. The day route is a good idea but you really need to check with locals the sate of the bridalway as some can still be relatively technical and no fun loaded, unless you are going proper light rather than pottlingas your op suggests.