A new phrase I learned during my recent month long tour of the UK (April-May, 2011) was Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, abbreviated as AONB. This is a designation applied to certain scenic areas in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (list here). I've ridden through a couple of the dozens on the above list.

I'm not aware of other countries that use the AONB label. But, there isn't any reason why I can't create my own list. Call it the BTTAONB, the Bike Touring Tips Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty! These aren't in any particular order as ranking them would be impossible.

California's Big Sur Coast


The 23 miles from Point Lobos, just south of Carmel, to Pfeiffer-Big Sur National Park combines a challenging bike ride with stunning coastal beauty. The views of the water, cliffs, and rock outcroppings are endless; each one uniquely beautiful.


More Big Sur Photos

Gorges du Tarn, France


The Tarn River has cut a gorge through the limestone of Southern France. From Ste. Enimie to Le Rozier are some of the prettiest 22 miles I've ever ridden down. What's more, Ste. Enimie is a quaint French village in a wonderful location. Not surprisingly, the road along the river is full of tour buses driving up the gorge with a lunch stop in Ste. Enimie. I managed to arrive in Ste. Enimie in the afternoon, after the buses had left and were done for the day. It was just me, my bike, and the Gorges du Tarn. It was a life highlight.


More Gorges du Tarn Photos

Acadia National Park in Maine


Two Adventure Cycling Association (ACA) cross-country routes use Bar Harbor, ME as one end-point. The Northern Tier runs from there to Anacortes, WA. The Atlantic Coast Route goes south to the tip of Florida. Bar Harbor is on Mount Desert Island, which is the home of Acadia National Park, one of most visited National Parks in all of the USA.

Not only is the National Park beautiful, but quaint little Bar Harbor has all the amenities of a major tourist attraction. This includes a cruise ship harbor that accounts for the enormous visitation numbers as several visit each summer day, disgorging hundreds of visitors who do no more than take a bus around the park, re-board their liners, and sail off.

In addition to miles of dedicated bike paths through forest, the coastal road provides some of the best ocean views I've ever seen.


More Acadia National Park Photos

The Forest of Dean and Symonds Yat, Gloucestershire, England


The Forest of Dean is an old Crown Forest that is now public land. A Crown forest was an area reserved by the English Crown to preserve the animals and their habitat for royal hunting. It is between the Rivers Severn and Wye just east of south Wales. I managed to ride across the forest and onto Symonds Yat, the top of a valley carved by the Wye River. A wonderful day on a bike!


More Forest of Dean Photos

Switzerland


In truth, much of Switzerland could qualify as an AONB. Whether it is mountain views, river canyons or impossibly beautiful lakes, Switzerland has it all. I spent 2 weeks riding around and saw something every day that left me agape. It is also where I learned that just because there is a line on a map, I shouldn't automatically assume that I could ride a loaded touring up it!


More Switzerland Photos

Clear Lake, Oregon


There must be dozens of lakes named Clear Lake. I'd even bet there is more one in Oregon! The one I am talking about is right next to Hwy 126 a couple miles below Santiam Pass in the Oregon Cascades. I spent two nights camping on my way up the pass along the MacKenzie River. The stunning views I had when I hiked around the lake make this one of my favorite camping spots.


More Clear Lake Photos

Speen Bridge to Kingussie, Scotland


The 45 miles between Fort William, on Loch Linnhe, and Kingussie, far inland, runs through a National Park, Nature Preserve and past two inland Lochs (one a dammed river). For the first part of the ride, the Nevis Range looms in the background. On a carless road in the full sun, it was indescribably beautiful.


More Scottish Highland Photos

Swan Valley, Idaho


The Swan Valley is tucked into southeastern Idaho, a long day's ride from Jackson, Wyoming. Created by the Snake River it offers views of rolling hillsides and expansive water scenes. One end is closed off by Palisades Dam and its pretty reservoir. I spent a rest day there and, recharged, spent 2 days riding along the Snake River to Jackson, Wyoming. It was a wonderful ride.


More Swan Valley Photos

White Mountains, New Hampshire


It rained on the day I rode over the Kancamagus Pass, the view obscured by fog and rain. But, by the time I had coasted down and was riding through the eastern edge of White Mountain National Park in New Hampshire, the sun was out. The riding had been extreme. It was all up in a misty rain and then all down as I tried to control the bike in rain that felt like hail on my face. In addition to being cold and wet, I remember the undulating road through a thick forest whose trees were just starting to change color.


More White Mountain Photos

Carson Pass and the Hope Valley in California


One of the hardest days I even had on a bicycle was struggling up the Mormon Emigrant Trail from Placerville to the ski resort at Kirkwood in California's Sierra Nevada mountains. It is the only time I've had to beg a ride to get to my night's destination. The next day, I rode past beautiful Caples Lake, up and over Carson Pass (Elevation: 8974 feet), and down the other side to the stunning views of the Carson River and Hope Valley.


More Carson Pass and Hope Valley Photos

Payette River valley to Stanley, Idaho


Making up the bulk of Idaho's Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway, the road that runs from Crouch to Stanley is beautiful. At 85 miles, it was one of the longer days for me. I started in valley and then rode along a rocky edge of the canyon cut by the Payette River. By the time the back of Sawtooth Mountains came into sight, the road had moved away from the river and up toward Banner Pass. After grinding up through roadside wildflowers, I undulated toward Stanley watching the sunset behind the Sawtooths.


More Payette River Valley and Sawtooth Mountain Photos

Maine in Autumn


As a lifelong Californian, I've heard a great deal about the fall colors, but had never seen them in person. So, I decided to ride through New England while it happened. I started my ride in early September (of 2010) and watched the trees change color through the entire month. The lakes, trees, and countryside of rural Maine were wonderful. When the trees are changing, it is magical.


More Autumn in Maine Photos

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Copyright © 2007 by Ray Swartz