The Isle of Wight ‘Detour of Britain’

Please note: Further to the earlier statement in relation to the cancellation of stage six as a mark of respect following the passing of Her Majesty The Queen, the organisers of the AJ Bell Tour of Britain can additionally confirm that stages seven (Dorset) and eight (Isle of Wight) will not take place. Read the full statement here.

You can still ride the AJ Bell Tour of Britain and you can find the Stage 8 route route on Strava. If you don’t fancy taking on the full 150km, we have smaller sections of the route for you to try out too! Find out more here.

You can also still discover an off-road route perfect for gravel or mountain bikes. Read on to find out more:

Ryde seafront...

Ryde is easily accessible with a bike from the mainland using the Wightlink Fast Cat service to Ryde Pier Head or Hovertravel’s Hovercraft. Due to space restrictions, bikes can’t be booked on the vessels; it is a first come, first served basis. 

Brading Down...

Head out of Ryde, by pedalling south through Upton and to the northern side of Brading Down. You then climb up to the Viewpoint Car Park at the top of Brading Down on an off-road route from Nunwell. 

From Brading Down, it is time for a longer stretch of uninterrupted riding. You descend onto the lanes of Adgestone, then through to Alverstone where you link up with the Sandown to Newport Cycle Path – this takes you through to the outskirts of Carisbrooke. 

Skirting around Carisbrooke Castle, the route takes you up and over the National Trust’s Tennyson Trail and towards Porchfield. 

Hillis Corner...

Head south through Parkhurst Forest and down onto the Cowes–Newport cycle path – taking you into the central town. 

Tennyson Trail...

Heading offroad in a western direction along the National Trust’s Tennyson Trail. This iconic trail will take you out through Brighstone Forest and into the outstandingly beautiful West Wight.

You should have time for a quick diversion off the Tennyson Trail down to Chessell Pottery Café for a refuel if you wish. 

Freshwater Golf Course...

From Chessell, make your way back onto the Tennyson Trail and up onto Afton Down. From up on Freshwater Golf Course you can see the iconic Military Road.

An alternative would be to make your way through to the National Trust's iconic Needles Battery – there is a network of bridleways between Freshwater Bay and The Highdown Inn.

Enjoy the ride!