In my humble (nah) opinion, one of the finest episodes from GCN. No mention of power meters, weirdo nutrition and training plans, no ludicrous haircuts, no has-beens and neverwozzers spouting off (I don't mean the presenters), just a celebration of what riding a bike can be all about. That is, getting out there to appreciate how amazing and inspiring so many parts of the planet are. Perfect presentation, even without Nigel. Well done, GCN.
@@conordunne219 If the world ever gets back to normal and I get back home, perhaps I'll pass you on that drag out of Dungarvan. But only if we're going in opposite directions.
Great list! For what it's worth my top rides: 1. Rhy-Ddu to Blaenau FFestiniog in Snowdonia National Park Wales, beautiful river and mountain route 2. Itea to Arachova, Greece - from the sea, through olive groves, up the mountain with a road that coils on itself and passes Ancient Delphi as it climbs to the ski resort 3. Gotthard Pass, Switzerland - taking the Tremola road, amazing switchbacks 4. Col de la Machine, Vercors, France -beautiful gorge and amazingly engineered balcony road
Cabot trail, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. 300k, coastline, mountians, what more could you ask for. Being in New Scotland, Mark and Si would love it. Biking next year I hope. I'll send along some shots.
Just rode from Elan Valley to Aberystwyth on your recommendation Connor. Thank you so much, I had one of the best days of my life. The route was amazing and a great way to try out my new gravel bike. I’m never going to be able to afford to travel abroad to ride, so it’s brilliant that you highlighted a route which is accessible from Birmingham UK. The furthest place from the sea. I have got to do the whole route 81 from Wolverhampton to Aberystwyth one day.
@@larsmunch4536 The title is "10 most beautiful rides in the world" not "10 less obvious places to ride a bike". For the latter, I nominate my bathroom.
I'm positively tickled to see My Favorite, the Shimanami Kaido Cycling Road, included on the list. Done it twice (once each way), COVID thwarted my plans for a 3rd trip this year. While not "epic" in and of itself (only 2 real climbs, about 1½ to 2 km @ 5% each), what the Shimanami Kaido DOES offer is smooth roads with light traffic, restful views with seacoast on one side and citrus groves on the other, and an ever-increasing number of cycling-specific services along the route.
@@garthly Good heavens, no! The Shimanami Kaido is a toll road, but the cycling lanes have been exempted from paying a toll for over 10 years now (and, they keep extending inception of tolls for the cycling lanes!). Eventually, tolls will be required: IIRC, it will be 50 yen per bridge.
I found a beautiful 20 meter stretch of newly council tarmaced road just outside Newcastle. The pot holes continued for another 60 miles 😂... apologies for the sarcasm
The shimanami kaido is great on a beautiful day- i rode from shikoku back to the mainland (this is the direction most cyclists go in). I did it on my fully laden brompton :)
The whole section between Camps Bay and Simon's Town along the coast is great - up to Llandudno, down through Hout Bay, over Chappies, through Noordhoek and along to Kommetjie, over Slangkop and through MIsty Cliffs and Scarborough, up to the Cape Pt reserve entrance and then down to Simon's Town. Or in reverse :)
Almoat the entirety of highway 1, along the coast, from Santa Cruz up to Mendocino is stupifyingly beautiful, though not always the best riding depending upon your tolerance for traffic and wind. My personal candidate for most beautiful Bay Area road route would be to take Skyline Blvd (Hwy 35) along the spine of the Santa Cruz Mountains and then descend into Big Basin via Hwy 9 and 236.
I am from the Bay Area. I did a recon trip last Oct thru Shenandoah & other routes there (Fall time is awesome of course!) Hope to go back after Covid!
I first rode the Girona coast road (GI-682) back in 1989. This will always remain as my #1 ride. Half way through you can also add in a climb to Sant Grau, a 350 metre climb over 6km. No video could ever do this ride any justice. You have to ride it. It is spectacular and without question deserves a spot on this list.
Icefields Parkway between Banff & Jasper is my absolute favorite. Anything in that area is worth riding. There are many good rides in the Western US (California, Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, Montana & Oregon)
Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway along the Appalachian Mountain range in the eastern United States is extremely beautiful, hilly, and with reasonable traffic. The views are drop-dead lovely, there's plenty of wildlife, and it's ideal for either bikepacking or staying overnight in local towns. It's a long route, best done over a week or so, but... awesome.
And while we're on the subject of California, how is he going to not mention Tioga Pass Road? Sure, the road that literally goes to Tunnel View might be cheating a little bit, but *still.*
@@Pandastico0 On freeways and interstates its not allowed. State highways should be OK , unless mentioned. On CA-1 its allowed. I saw many cyclists on the road. The scenery is simply awesome.
@@Pandastico0 Cycling is allowed on California highways where not expressly prohibited. If you use Strava or Komoot to plan a trip it won't send you down a road that isn't permitted to cycle on.
Add the beautiful state of Colorado. So many to name, Independence Pass at Aspen, Garden of the Gods at Colorado Springs, Glenwood Canyon at Glenwood Springs, Route 250 at Durango......
The Cabot Trail on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada. A 300 km loop with 3 massive climbs around the north part of the island. Worthy of many incredible pictures and fond memories.
oh absolutely, personal fav is the West Coast road from Haast Pass right up to Greymouth, infact you could just keep going clockwise round the whole south island. Nowhere else like it in my experience.
Love cycling videos just what I need to get it going the blood I love it. I always watch these before I go out and get my body moving. I always watch one of these, and then put up my heavy playlist like Delta Parole, Three Days Grace, System and then I just go haaaaard!!!! Tactic hasnt let me down yet.
Great video as usual. Mt Haleakala from Paia Maui is pretty amazing . From Ocean to farmland to wooded areas to a lunar like last 6 miles . Sea Level to 10K ft in a lil over 30 miles...my fave ride so far
Regardless of whether our fav roads made this video cut or not my take out is, as Conor says, We are all so lucky that the bike can take us all to spectacular places that always lifts our souls and expands our life experiences..
Lake Tahoe loop in California / Nevada, 72 miles and 4k climbing, do it clockwise to get a great view of the lake. Elevation is 6.2k, so get acclimated a few days before you try...
I'm lucky to have ridden NYC and Boston when I lived in the US. Now I'm in southern France and it's pretty much cycling heaven. Flat coastal roads or ridiculous hill climbs.
Copper Coast just cycled it last week. Doing a 2020 tour de france challenge just finished today for arklow cancer support. 21 days of the same lengths taking in mount leinster wicklow mountains copper Coast etc
Bike packed Elan Valley to Aber on a rigid vintage Raleigh titanium mtb almost exactly 14 years ago. A headwind all day, thought it would be 'all downhill' from the peak of the valley. The rolling hills after were repeatedly steep, seemingly endless but beautiful. The only descent without a climb straight after was the last one into Aber. One tough day in the saddle but unforgettable. Good choice.
Can't believe Mulholland Dr made the list to be honest. The Blue Ridge Parkway has much more incredible views and spans from 469 miles through Virginia and North Carolina. It has some of the best views in the entire U.S. There are many others in the U.S. that far outclass Mulholland Dr as well.. Was it picked because GCN has actually been there or what?
It was a New Deal make work project during the Great Depression. Built as a scenic tourist road. The engineers went into the towns and asked where the best views were. Then they built the road up to those lookouts. I've only been along it once, but it's the most beautiful scenery I've ever seen.
Perhaps Mulholland Drive was picked because it's easy to get to from the UK and Europe. Los Angeles has plenty of nonstop flights from there. The closest international gateway airports to the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive are Dulles Int'l Airport (west of DC, about 35 miles from the north entrance to Skyline Drive) or Charlotte-Douglas Int'l Airport in NC (about 130 miles from the BRP). LAX is comparatively close. That said, I agree with the BRP and Skyline Drive: simply stunning riding.
Ladybower reservoir in the peak district is a nice ride, full of Climbs and descents. although on some of the roads there is quite a number of traffic.
The road biking around the town of Hood River is epic. Lots of climbing, quiet roads through the fruit orchards and wineries and after a good ride, the windsurfing or kiting is incredible. And if that is not enough the Mtn biking, kayaking and year round skiing is fantastic as well.
A fine day on the copper coast and up to Mahon and down into Dungarvan, then to Ardmore via An Ring and Old Parish. Fantastic. Well done Conor great to see Waterford
Taroko Gorge, Taiwan. It is also the Taiwan KOM challenge. Simon and Ollie did it 3 years ago. I did it 5 years ago. A marble canyon with river and waterfalls between steep sided mountains from sea level to well above the clouds. Unforgettable
Because it includes so many of the famous Tour de France cols, the coast-to-coast RN-618 (Saint-Jean-de-Luz to Argelès-sur-Mer), about 525 km, as well as the scenery, deserves a shout.
Inside the wonderful city of Rio de Janeiro you have the natural florestal national park of Tijuca, where you have marvelous city views from every corner of the city, climbing up to 900m, with an epic ending at the base of the statue of Christ The redeemer! Stunning views of the city!
Thank you for another fantastic video! I really enjoy GCN! I was surprised that the Stelvio didn't make the list, but perhaps it is too well-known or predictable. It seems that the list was designed around some lesser known, or more obscure roads, but beauty is quite subjective, isn't it?
Good to see the Copper Coast again. Thank you. Next time you are in Bonmahon pop in for tea. How did you cycle up the Slip.??? It's bad enough walking.!!!. Thanks from Bonmahon Beach on Instagram.
I haven't been yet, but the Lofoten islands in arctic Norway are on my bucket list. There's a road which runs the entire length of the archipelago, and one glance at the scenery of the area will show why it's on my bucket list. Only problem is getting there...
If you are game for some MTB riding the Kokopelli Trail between Moab, UT, and Grand Junction, CO, is sublime. Just don't ride it in the middle of summer - too hot! The roads around the La Sal Mountains (east of Moab) are spectacular on a road or gravel bike.
The Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive in Virginia and North Carolina USA deserve to be on the list - but only if you enjoy climbing. Not a level or straight stretch anywhere. Spectacular scenery, with mountains stretching to the horizon in every direction. Very busy on the weekends and much of it is closed in the winter (with good reason). Stunning in the fall, and don't miss the rhododendron bloom in the summer. Definitely a bucket list destination.
On the California coast, Santa Cruz to San Luis Obispo (190 miles), which includes Carmel to Cambria through Big Sur, 100 miles, 160Km, probably 5,000ft of climbing, but also the same of descending. I have ridden it three times, each time over 2 days with an overnight stop in Big Sur Village. Truly magnificent and not to be missed, especially in the Fall/Autumn.
I just love the montafon valley route nice cycle track mainly away from the road, lovely views loads of great stopping places, and the end is the silveretta pass perhaps one of the most unknown/underrated mountain pass climbs lovely
Another great video, Conor! With all those epic views, I'd want to stop to take pictures and would never complete the route! That Copper Coast ride looked like my kind of scenery, too.
Nice, I'll be making an exchange semester in Bergen from August and I'll bring my road bike. I've heard of Trollstigen but now I determined to train until I get up there.
Mulholland is really three separate rides. The eastern section, along the top of the Hollywood Hills, is scenic, with great views of the city and the ocean, as well as the very expensive neighborhoods! Heading west, it suddenly becomes a fire road through Topanga State Park. You did bring the all-road/gravel bike for this section and all the connecting fire roads and trails? Further west again, Mulholland Drive fades away into shopping malls and a freeway intersection, but Mulholland Highway takes over along the crest of the Santa Monica Mountains. This is the best section for cycling, and connects to numerous classic canyon climbs that the pro's train on in the winter - I spotted Geraint Thomas there in January. Top ten most beautiful in the world? Not sure about that, but I feel very lucky to be able to ride all of it directly from my house.
Serbia, Tara Mountain, road starting at Perucac town/man-made lake on river Drina, up to Tara Mountain National park to Mitrovac na Tari to Konjska Reka and circuit around Zaovine Lake. As for travel there, easy and locality has many Village Tourism option as well as typical hotels and other touristy facilities. Yes, there is incredible scenery around lakes and pristine woods and yes, there are hairpins and strong climbs, high vistas, precipices, some "Sound of Music" type of scenery as well... Worth the list.
N222 Portugal, in the Douro valley. Particularly between Régua city and Pinhão village. The landscapes are awesome, but the food and the wine of the region are divine!!!!
The million dollar highway in Southwest Colorado is an incredible road, just bring your climbing legs, you're going up to over 11,000ft, maybe also pack the mountain bike because there are some incredible alpine trails in the area that are also open to bikes.
Pleased to see Snæfellsnes in Iceland on the list. And kudos to Connor for a somewhat accurate pronounciation of the names, not perfect but close enough. Almost all of Iceland is a gravel riders paradise but road riding can also be on offer here. The Ring Road around the island is popular and is home to an annual cycling event where cycling enthusiast compete to finish the ring in the shortest amount of time. It's about 1300 km ride and is competed in several categories, a one person race, 4 person teams and 10 person teams. Would like to see a team from GCN enter into this event as it is a fundraiser for local charities.
@@merckxy54 yes but out of 10: 8 routes In Europe,1 in the US and 1 in Japan...it doesn't really make it a "global" list. Not a single road in all Central and South America, Africa, New Zealand or Australia, Canada worth to be included?
Cabot Trail in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada. Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina and Virginia, USA. Can't fault your list as it was stunning, but these two are among North America's most scenic.
Iveragh Peninsula in Kerry/Cork is pretty class. Also in Kerry the road from Waterville up to Bealach Oisín and back via Bealach Beama and Coomaciste. Great on a sunny day. Horrible on a wet and windy one.
Dingle Peninsula also. I've cycled Killarney to Dingle town, onward via Fionn Tra to Slea Head, then to Dun Chaoin, then to Ballyferriter, dipped in the Atlantic, looped back over the central mountain road to Dingle and overnighted there. Great pubs and seafood. I don't care what the weather is. One of my favourite parts of the world.
Iveragh Peninsula (the Ring of Kerry) doesn't touch on Co Cork, and the volume of traffic, especially coaches, on small roads detracts greatly from what is otherwise indeed a beautiful ride. You may be thinking of the Beara Peninsula, which is in both counties: quieter, and just as scenic IMHO.
Another place that I would love to see you guys feature is the Bay Of Kotor in Montenegro which is mostly flat but a sublime panoramic road. If you want to climb all you have to to is head inland as some dramatic mountains plunge directly into the bay. It is stunning with some amazing climbs and of course... descents.
In my humble (nah) opinion, one of the finest episodes from GCN. No mention of power meters, weirdo nutrition and training plans, no ludicrous haircuts, no has-beens and neverwozzers spouting off (I don't mean the presenters), just a celebration of what riding a bike can be all about. That is, getting out there to appreciate how amazing and inspiring so many parts of the planet are.
Perfect presentation, even without Nigel.
Well done, GCN.
And plugging sponsors... 🙄
Thank you! Really glad you enjoyed this one. All the best, Conor
@@conordunne219 If the world ever gets back to normal and I get back home, perhaps I'll pass you on that drag out of Dungarvan.
But only if we're going in opposite directions.
Great list! For what it's worth my top rides:
1. Rhy-Ddu to Blaenau FFestiniog in Snowdonia National Park Wales, beautiful river and mountain route
2. Itea to Arachova, Greece - from the sea, through olive groves, up the mountain with a road that coils on itself and passes Ancient Delphi as it climbs to the ski resort
3. Gotthard Pass, Switzerland - taking the Tremola road, amazing switchbacks
4. Col de la Machine, Vercors, France -beautiful gorge and amazingly engineered balcony road
Nice to see Shimanami Kaido on the list! I did it two times on a simple rental bike, it's what got me into cycling.
Cabot trail, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. 300k, coastline, mountians, what more could you ask for. Being in New Scotland, Mark and Si would love it. Biking next year I hope. I'll send along some shots.
What about Chapmans Peak in Cape Town, South Africa
Wait until you come into Tasmania Australia, beautiful roads and scenic routes are everywhere
The Great Ocean Road in Victoria, Australia. Magnificent!!
Just rode from Elan Valley to Aberystwyth on your recommendation Connor. Thank you so much, I had one of the best days of my life. The route was amazing and a great way to try out my new gravel bike. I’m never going to be able to afford to travel abroad to ride, so it’s brilliant that you highlighted a route which is accessible from Birmingham UK. The furthest place from the sea. I have got to do the whole route 81 from Wolverhampton to Aberystwyth one day.
You missed the dolomites. This place is just packed with magnificent roads
Maybe too obvious. This video gave us some less obvious choices.
@@larsmunch4536 The title is "10 most beautiful rides in the world" not "10 less obvious places to ride a bike". For the latter, I nominate my bathroom.
I'm positively tickled to see My Favorite, the Shimanami Kaido Cycling Road, included on the list. Done it twice (once each way), COVID thwarted my plans for a 3rd trip this year. While not "epic" in and of itself (only 2 real climbs, about 1½ to 2 km @ 5% each), what the Shimanami Kaido DOES offer is smooth roads with light traffic, restful views with seacoast on one side and citrus groves on the other, and an ever-increasing number of cycling-specific services along the route.
From the sign in the photo, I gather you pay for the cycle path. Is that true?
@@garthly Good heavens, no! The Shimanami Kaido is a toll road, but the cycling lanes have been exempted from paying a toll for over 10 years now (and, they keep extending inception of tolls for the cycling lanes!). Eventually, tolls will be required: IIRC, it will be 50 yen per bridge.
Done it twice myself, 5-6 years ago already, hanging to go back again! Greets from Oz!
+1 for the Shimanami Kaido, one of the most incredible rides I’ve done.
Skyline Drive, a 105 mile scenic road along the spine of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia, USA. 10,000 ft of climbing!
The entire blue ridge parkway might well be included as well.
Most beautiful place I've ever seen.
And a 25 mph speed limit if I remember correctly
Ole Wurtz widely ignored unfortunately!
I found a beautiful 20 meter stretch of newly council tarmaced road just outside Newcastle. The pot holes continued for another 60 miles 😂... apologies for the sarcasm
Hahahah... sorry about the potholes!!
I was just on the Waterford-Dunmore greenway on sunday. It was the second half of my first ever century.
i live right beside the greenway in kilmacthomas :)
The shimanami kaido is great on a beautiful day- i rode from shikoku back to the mainland (this is the direction most cyclists go in). I did it on my fully laden brompton :)
Chapman's Peak Drive, Cape Town is truly spectacular.
Came here to say this.
Neil Bolton that was my thought, although you could say the whole of the Argus route around the peninsula
Beat me to it. Driven it a couple of times, but on the list to ride one day!
The whole section between Camps Bay and Simon's Town along the coast is great - up to Llandudno, down through Hout Bay, over Chappies, through Noordhoek and along to Kommetjie, over Slangkop and through MIsty Cliffs and Scarborough, up to the Cape Pt reserve entrance and then down to Simon's Town. Or in reverse :)
Mt Tamalpais in Northern California (S Francisco), and the Blue Ridge mountains in North Carolina
Almoat the entirety of highway 1, along the coast, from Santa Cruz up to Mendocino is stupifyingly beautiful, though not always the best riding depending upon your tolerance for traffic and wind.
My personal candidate for most beautiful Bay Area road route would be to take Skyline Blvd (Hwy 35) along the spine of the Santa Cruz Mountains and then descend into Big Basin via Hwy 9 and 236.
Mt. Tam is absolutely jaw dropping. I've heard many good things about the Blue Ridge mtns.
Don’t forget Mount Baldy from Glendora! Better than Mulholland.
and the Blue Ridge mountains in Virginia
I do rides up mount Tam weekly it is amazing
Highway 93 from Lake Louise to Jasper in Alberta Canada. Spectacular views and you're pretty well guaranteed to see a few bears
Sea-to-Sky highway from Vancouver to Whistler, CA BC
A definite no to that road.
@@stevevarga8621 Why's that? Too much traffic? Too steep? Too rainy?
@@bikevideos3435 I think it's the traffic
Grosse Scheidegg in Switzerland, looped with the lake of Brienz. Unbeatable.
This! th-cam.com/video/GicToTb4Qfw/w-d-xo.html
Agreed! Best thing: no cars
The Going to the Sun Road in Glacier National Park Montana should definitely make the cut.
bucket list ride
That’s on my bucket list to ride as well! (I have driven it)
Awesome ride
The Blue Ridge Parkway, 469 miles through Virginia and North Carolina.
Most beautiful road in the world.
I am from the Bay Area. I did a recon trip last Oct thru Shenandoah & other routes there (Fall time is awesome of course!)
Hope to go back after Covid!
I first rode the Girona coast road (GI-682) back in 1989. This will always remain as my #1 ride. Half way through you can also add in a climb to Sant Grau, a 350 metre climb over 6km. No video could ever do this ride any justice. You have to ride it. It is spectacular and without question deserves a spot on this list.
Icefields Parkway between Banff & Jasper is my absolute favorite. Anything in that area is worth riding.
There are many good rides in the Western US (California, Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, Montana & Oregon)
Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway along the Appalachian Mountain range in the eastern United States is extremely beautiful, hilly, and with reasonable traffic. The views are drop-dead lovely, there's plenty of wildlife, and it's ideal for either bikepacking or staying overnight in local towns. It's a long route, best done over a week or so, but... awesome.
US Highway 1, Pacific Coast Highway, between Carmel and San Luis Obispo, California! Southbound usually provides a nice tailwind.
And while we're on the subject of California, how is he going to not mention Tioga Pass Road? Sure, the road that literally goes to Tunnel View might be cheating a little bit, but *still.*
Yes that highway is awesome. I have driven on the entire stretch of California Highway 1 starting from Los Angeles and ending in Seattle.
@@arbjful are you allowed to ride a bike on a highway in the US?
@@Pandastico0 On freeways and interstates its not allowed. State highways should be OK , unless mentioned. On CA-1 its allowed. I saw many cyclists on the road. The scenery is simply awesome.
@@Pandastico0 Cycling is allowed on California highways where not expressly prohibited. If you use Strava or Komoot to plan a trip it won't send you down a road that isn't permitted to cycle on.
Add the beautiful state of Colorado. So many to name, Independence Pass at Aspen, Garden of the Gods at Colorado Springs, Glenwood Canyon at Glenwood Springs, Route 250 at Durango......
Another epic Conor! Elan Valley here I come! It’s so flipping close to me in Herefordshire!
The Cabot Trail on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada. A 300 km loop with 3 massive climbs around the north part of the island. Worthy of many incredible pictures and fond memories.
I was thinking of that, too. Only the weather conditions may vary strongly. But that was obviously no criteria to make it on the list.
Almost anywhere in New Zealand could/should have made the list.
I'm hoping to cycle up Ruapehu later this year :)
oh absolutely, personal fav is the West Coast road from Haast Pass right up to Greymouth, infact you could just keep going clockwise round the whole south island. Nowhere else like it in my experience.
@@Nosh_Feratu Great as long as you like sand flies and rain.
@@lupus7194 I absolutely love both so its perfect really.
Totally agree - check out the Tour of New Zealand 2021. Epic ride
Experiencing the beauty of our planet is one of the great things about cycling!
Ah yes the east coast of Norway
😂😂😂😂😂 he meant the west coast of Sweden 😂😂😂😂😂
Nearly all of Norway's coastline is on the West, facing the Atlantic. 🙃
@@ViveSemelBeneVivere I believe that was the idea
Great video Connor, one of the best yet! 👍
Love cycling videos just what I need to get it going the blood I love it. I always watch these before I go out and get my body moving. I always watch one of these, and then put up my heavy playlist like Delta Parole, Three Days Grace, System and then I just go haaaaard!!!! Tactic hasnt let me down yet.
Great video as usual. Mt Haleakala from Paia Maui is pretty amazing . From Ocean to farmland to wooded areas to a lunar like last 6 miles . Sea Level to 10K ft in a lil over 30 miles...my fave ride so far
Kudos Connor, your best video to date.
Regardless of whether our fav roads made this video cut or not my take out is, as Conor says, We are all so lucky that the bike can take us all to spectacular places that always lifts our souls and expands our life experiences..
Lake Tahoe loop in California / Nevada, 72 miles and 4k climbing, do it clockwise to get a great view of the lake. Elevation is 6.2k, so get acclimated a few days before you try...
I'm lucky to have ridden NYC and Boston when I lived in the US. Now I'm in southern France and it's pretty much cycling heaven. Flat coastal roads or ridiculous hill climbs.
The Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia and North Carolina would have to be a contender IMO.
I have ridden in the Blue Ridge range and it is the most beautiful place I have ever seen.
I live about 6 km off of the parkway when I'm in the US, and it's as beautiful as anything on earth in spring/early summer
Thunderidge on Blue Ridge I have road it 3 times. 😁 It would be awesome to do the whole thing eventually.
Connect the BRP to Skyline Drive in Shenandoah Nat'l Park and you have the full package - so beautiful and ideal for bicycling!
@@songfta Start at Afton Mountain right off I-64 and you have 100 miles+ in either direction.
You have made me insanely jealous and full of dreams at the same time.Thanks, Conor. Iceland is definitely a must.
Very good informative and inspirational video review....!
Copper Coast just cycled it last week. Doing a 2020 tour de france challenge just finished today for arklow cancer support. 21 days of the same lengths taking in mount leinster wicklow mountains copper Coast etc
Bike packed Elan Valley to Aber on a rigid vintage Raleigh titanium mtb almost exactly 14 years ago. A headwind all day, thought it would be 'all downhill' from the peak of the valley. The rolling hills after were repeatedly steep, seemingly endless but beautiful. The only descent without a climb straight after was the last one into Aber. One tough day in the saddle but unforgettable. Good choice.
Cape Town? Pyrenees? Italy? New Zealand? Sea to peak in BC? Switzerland? Crater Lake National Park? Redwood National Park?
The great ocean road in Victoria Australia. Looking out towards the 12 apostles is amazing. That’s where the Cadel Evans great ocean race is held.
Can't believe Mulholland Dr made the list to be honest. The Blue Ridge Parkway has much more incredible views and spans from 469 miles through Virginia and North Carolina. It has some of the best views in the entire U.S. There are many others in the U.S. that far outclass Mulholland Dr as well.. Was it picked because GCN has actually been there or what?
It was a New Deal make work project during the Great Depression. Built as a scenic tourist road. The engineers went into the towns and asked where the best views were. Then they built the road up to those lookouts. I've only been along it once, but it's the most beautiful scenery I've ever seen.
Perhaps Mulholland Drive was picked because it's easy to get to from the UK and Europe. Los Angeles has plenty of nonstop flights from there. The closest international gateway airports to the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive are Dulles Int'l Airport (west of DC, about 35 miles from the north entrance to Skyline Drive) or Charlotte-Douglas Int'l Airport in NC (about 130 miles from the BRP). LAX is comparatively close. That said, I agree with the BRP and Skyline Drive: simply stunning riding.
Excellent Vlog, really enjoyed that.
Ladybower reservoir in the peak district is a nice ride, full of Climbs and descents. although on some of the roads there is quite a number of traffic.
The road biking around the town of Hood River is epic. Lots of climbing, quiet roads through the fruit orchards and wineries and after a good ride, the windsurfing or kiting is incredible. And if that is not enough the Mtn biking, kayaking and year round skiing is fantastic as well.
Liking the Irish Flag on Conor’s GCN Kit, nice touch 👍
National champion stripes that he gets to put on any/every jersey he rides. A great privilege for the rest of his days.
Connor needs to do an epic ride around Ireland. It looks like such a beautiful country, and I always enjoy videos with Connor. So it is a win win.
A fine day on the copper coast and up to Mahon and down into Dungarvan, then to Ardmore via An Ring and Old Parish. Fantastic. Well done Conor great to see Waterford
Ring of Beara. No question tunnels, good climbs, Wild Atlantic views. Best in South West Ireland 140ks or longer
Crater Lake Oregon is an amazing ride, for sure.
And Deschutes NF.. 3 sisters and the Volcanic Hwy!
Port de Valldemossa is my almost daily ride when staying in Deià! Good choice, especially in the early morning!
Taroko Gorge, Taiwan. It is also the Taiwan KOM challenge. Simon and Ollie did it 3 years ago. I did it 5 years ago. A marble canyon with river and waterfalls between steep sided mountains from sea level to well above the clouds. Unforgettable
I do think Conor is a great presenter..and more of Ireland as it looks very quiet and so great cycling 😎
Conor & GCN, excellent video again!
Fáilte Ireland probably appreciates your Ireland videos a lot!
Kudos! 😃
Pikes Peak AND MT Evans Climb from Idaho Springs AND from Evergreen as well :)) (Colorado)
Throw Trail Ridge Road in there. A Colorado trifecta!
Yeah, absolutely right! Thx for the missing dot.
i love the spots..thanks man
Because it includes so many of the famous Tour de France cols, the coast-to-coast RN-618 (Saint-Jean-de-Luz to Argelès-sur-Mer), about 525 km, as well as the scenery, deserves a shout.
indeed these roads are magnificient !! One of the highest scores on my personal list: "Les Gorges Du Verdon" in the French Alps. Great Video !! 👍
Inside the wonderful city of Rio de Janeiro you have the natural florestal national park of Tijuca, where you have marvelous city views from every corner of the city, climbing up to 900m, with an epic ending at the base of the statue of Christ The redeemer! Stunning views of the city!
Did a ride through the Yosemite Valley. Best way to see that national park imo.
Conor as we say here in Boston Wicked Pissah Cool Video like the way you do the videos keep up the great work!🚴♂️
I briefly suffer from vertigo every time Conor does a selfie shot on his bike.
Thank you for another fantastic video! I really enjoy GCN!
I was surprised that the Stelvio didn't make the list, but perhaps it is too well-known or predictable. It seems that the list was designed around some lesser known, or more obscure roads, but beauty is quite subjective, isn't it?
The Shimamani Kaido is a worthy mention.
Wow! These were great! Missed? I’m sure tons but that just means more episodes
Good to see the Copper Coast again. Thank you. Next time you are in Bonmahon pop in for tea. How did you cycle up the Slip.??? It's bad enough walking.!!!. Thanks from Bonmahon Beach on Instagram.
I haven't been yet, but the Lofoten islands in arctic Norway are on my bucket list. There's a road which runs the entire length of the archipelago, and one glance at the scenery of the area will show why it's on my bucket list. Only problem is getting there...
Western Colorado and/or southern Utah could've added a unique addition to your list.
any roads in particular? I've been wanted to scope out a ride next time I drive between SLC & Denver
If you are game for some MTB riding the Kokopelli Trail between Moab, UT, and Grand Junction, CO, is sublime. Just don't ride it in the middle of summer - too hot! The roads around the La Sal Mountains (east of Moab) are spectacular on a road or gravel bike.
Tour of the Moon in the Colorado National Monument (Grand Junction, CO) featured in 80s cycling movie American Flyers.
@@unregistered335 www.visitgrandjunction.com/road-biking-colorado-national-monument-cycling-trip-remember
www.visitutah.com/articles/cycling-kolob-zion/
The Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive in Virginia and North Carolina USA deserve to be on the list - but only if you enjoy climbing. Not a level or straight stretch anywhere. Spectacular scenery, with mountains stretching to the horizon in every direction. Very busy on the weekends and much of it is closed in the winter (with good reason). Stunning in the fall, and don't miss the rhododendron bloom in the summer. Definitely a bucket list destination.
On the California coast, Santa Cruz to San Luis Obispo (190 miles), which includes Carmel to Cambria through Big Sur, 100 miles, 160Km, probably 5,000ft of climbing, but also the same of descending. I have ridden it three times, each time over 2 days with an overnight stop in Big Sur Village. Truly magnificent and not to be missed, especially in the Fall/Autumn.
Route 1 down the coast of California
emphasis on "down" the coast! more favorable winds!
Brilliant. I'd have a bit of the Maratona Dles dolomites in there too.
Oh, and the Routes Des Cretes in the Ballons D'Alsace.
....and maybe the Gold Camp Trail in Colorado...
....then there's the spectacular 50km climb of Pikes Peak....
I just love the montafon valley route nice cycle track mainly away from the road, lovely views loads of great stopping places, and the end is the silveretta pass perhaps one of the most unknown/underrated mountain pass climbs lovely
Another great video, Conor! With all those epic views, I'd want to stop to take pictures and would never complete the route! That Copper Coast ride looked like my kind of scenery, too.
Nice, I'll be making an exchange semester in Bergen from August and I'll bring my road bike. I've heard of Trollstigen but now I determined to train until I get up there.
Cape Town Cycle Tour is incredible too, with ocean and mountains....
Mulholland is really three separate rides. The eastern section, along the top of the Hollywood Hills, is scenic, with great views of the city and the ocean, as well as the very expensive neighborhoods! Heading west, it suddenly becomes a fire road through Topanga State Park. You did bring the all-road/gravel bike for this section and all the connecting fire roads and trails? Further west again, Mulholland Drive fades away into shopping malls and a freeway intersection, but Mulholland Highway takes over along the crest of the Santa Monica Mountains. This is the best section for cycling, and connects to numerous classic canyon climbs that the pro's train on in the winter - I spotted Geraint Thomas there in January. Top ten most beautiful in the world? Not sure about that, but I feel very lucky to be able to ride all of it directly from my house.
GC 200 on Gran Canaria is pretty epic.
Serbia, Tara Mountain, road starting at Perucac town/man-made lake on river Drina, up to Tara Mountain National park to Mitrovac na Tari to Konjska Reka and circuit around Zaovine Lake. As for travel there, easy and locality has many Village Tourism option as well as typical hotels and other touristy facilities. Yes, there is incredible scenery around lakes and pristine woods and yes, there are hairpins and strong climbs, high vistas, precipices, some "Sound of Music" type of scenery as well... Worth the list.
N222 Portugal, in the Douro valley. Particularly between Régua city and Pinhão village. The landscapes are awesome, but the food and the wine of the region are divine!!!!
The million dollar highway in Southwest Colorado is an incredible road, just bring your climbing legs, you're going up to over 11,000ft, maybe also pack the mountain bike because there are some incredible alpine trails in the area that are also open to bikes.
I'm a fan of this channel..I'm from philippines
Pleased to see Snæfellsnes in Iceland on the list. And kudos to Connor for a somewhat accurate pronounciation of the names, not perfect but close enough. Almost all of Iceland is a gravel riders paradise but road riding can also be on offer here. The Ring Road around the island is popular and is home to an annual cycling event where cycling enthusiast compete to finish the ring in the shortest amount of time. It's about 1300 km ride and is competed in several categories, a one person race, 4 person teams and 10 person teams. Would like to see a team from GCN enter into this event as it is a fundraiser for local charities.
5 advert breaks in a 11 minute video. FFS.
I only have 2, im only using the android youtube
I also had 5😢
Huh I didn't get any.
I had zero
Zero on YT Premium. 😐
I'd add:
Amalfi Coast
Sa Callobra - including the ride there which is overlooked
Cap de Formentor
Cormet de Roselend
The video should be called: "the most beautiful routes in Europe"
Mulholland Drive, Los Angeles
@@merckxy54 yes but out of 10: 8 routes In Europe,1 in the US and 1 in Japan...it doesn't really make it a "global" list. Not a single road in all Central and South America, Africa, New Zealand or Australia, Canada worth to be included?
@@juanubaque8728 Yup exactly. It's a good vid but hardly the world...
Agree. Don't see how Wales gets in above Peru, Columbia, NZ etc. Good video but wrong title.
@@manfredmuench2657 having lived snd ridden in both Wales and Colombia id say they are both equally beautiful for riding...in their own ways
Circling the Westfjords in Iceland, gravel at its finest!
Great to see Waterford Greenway
Loved this video.....I want to travel!
Cabot Trail in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada. Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina and Virginia, USA. Can't fault your list as it was stunning, but these two are among North America's most scenic.
Shimanono kaydo = Shi ma na mi kai do ... Gold star for trying! 😆👍... Well recommended, done it twice!
0:36 when connor tries to imitate hank
Iveragh Peninsula in Kerry/Cork is pretty class. Also in Kerry the road from Waterville up to Bealach Oisín and back via Bealach Beama and Coomaciste. Great on a sunny day. Horrible on a wet and windy one.
Dingle Peninsula also. I've cycled Killarney to Dingle town, onward via Fionn Tra to Slea Head, then to Dun Chaoin, then to Ballyferriter, dipped in the Atlantic, looped back over the central mountain road to Dingle and overnighted there. Great pubs and seafood. I don't care what the weather is. One of my favourite parts of the world.
Iveragh Peninsula (the Ring of Kerry) doesn't touch on Co Cork, and the volume of traffic, especially coaches, on small roads detracts greatly from what is otherwise indeed a beautiful ride. You may be thinking of the Beara Peninsula, which is in both counties: quieter, and just as scenic IMHO.
@@McEKevin yeah i was thinking of Beara. My bad.
Come on what about Crater Lake in Oregon USA , if you like climbing.
Planning the Copper Coast hopefully this year, if not next spring. Torr Head in the north is one I'm doing next month.
Another place that I would love to see you guys feature is the Bay Of Kotor in Montenegro which is mostly flat but a sublime panoramic road. If you want to climb all you have to to is head inland as some dramatic mountains plunge directly into the bay. It is stunning with some amazing climbs and of course... descents.