Ann's top 13 cycling trips of 2025
- ann26154
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
6300 miles of cycling fun this year, that's over 10,000km - road, off road, touring, community rides and ride leading. Too many wonderful experiences with good friends to rank, so here are my top 'lucky' 13 – in chronological order as its too hard to pick a favourite!
1. Gran Canaria with Phil - beautiful valleys & gorges, spectacular mountain passes, dramatic scenery and lots and lots of climbing. https://www.veloann.com/post/cycling-in-gran-canaria
2. My 100th ride lead with Breeze. Ending up leading a total of 44 rides for Breeze in 2025.
3. Camino Way – Leon to Santiago de Compostela.
The "Camino Way" is a network of pilgrimage routes collectively known as the Camino de Santiago, or the Way of St. James. These trails lead to the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain, believed to house the tomb of the apostle St. James.
4. London landmarks and parks adventure. Exploring Christopher Wren's London, from Richmond to Greenwich. Through parks, paths and quiet roads through London on a Summer's day.
5. Summer Solstice ride. Up before dawn to see the sun rise on the longest day of the year. A magical experience on a beautiful morning on a very special Breeze ride.
6. Belles of Belvoir, Leicestershire. My longest ride of the year, 76 miles on my favourite sportive of the year, fabulous roads, women's only event and amazing food stations.
7. Paris and return for Tour de France final
A group of 6 cycling enthusiasts usually more used to championing women’s cycling and leading rides for our local cycling club, we thought it was time we took our own cycling trip. Having long been inspired by the Tour de France and the Le Tour Femmes, it was a natural
choice for us to head to Paris – and back - for the final of the Tour de France.
8. Transpennine trail – coast to coast England
There is something very special about traversing the breadth of the country from one coast to the other, from one sea to another. Each day bought something different and you can appreciate the diversity of England's landscapes and terrain as you cross the country.
9. Yorkshire Wolds weekend
Golden fields of wheat as far as the eye can see, quiet narrow country roads, haystacks, combine harvesters, wonderful meals, plenty of hills, scenic valleys, exhilarating descents, breathtaking seabird cliffs, hundreds of majestic seabirds, friendly locals, quiet villages & superb cycling sums up my club's C+ weekend away in the Yorkshire wolds. Oh, and did I mention the combine harvesters?
10. Ireland – Dingle Pennisula and Ring of Kerry. Wild Atlantic Way.
How to describe 2 weeks cycling in Ireland. Beautiful, wild, rugged, green, wet, windy, sunny - usually in one day! Great Guinness & Irish coffee, friendly locals, delicious salmon, quiet & sleepy villages, lively pubs, phenomenal live music & talented musicians. Endless Atlantic coastline, ferocious seas & countless coastal islands.
11. Sardinia with Phil
Cycling around this beautiful Italian island was a joy. Lovely roads, beautiful climbs, coastal trails, medieval villages and stunning vistas.
A few of my favourites while there. https://www.komoot.com/tour/2623946797 https://www.komoot.com/tour/2621025850 https://www.komoot.com/tour/2621025850 https://www.komoot.com/tour/2619210679
12. Glow ride - what a night. Organised my first glow ride. So many riders came together for our Cycling UK #MyRideOurRight Glow Ride — lighting up the streets, celebrating community and calling for safer redways and improved cycle routes, especially for women riding after dark.
13. Cycling Santas – leading a ride of over 200 santas!
Officially the biggest ride I've ever led. What an amazing turnout to celebrate cycling in Milton Keynes and my new role for 2025 as Co-Chair of Cycling Citizens MK Alliance.
