1. THE RIVER LOIRE (100KM)

A short, flat and fast ride along the banks of the River Loire after an initial warm up of legs through the elegant city and ancient quarters of Saumur. The ride ends at a sunny Chateau de Montsoreau, the only Loire Chateau build into the riverbed itself. This stretch of the Loire is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

2. LA GORGE DE L'AVEYRON (100KM)

This flat ride offers stunning scenery through a gorge carved out by the Aveyron river. The ride starts through the old streets of St-Antonin-Noble-Val where some buildings date back to the 11th century, and then heads onto the D115. The road was originally constructed as a railway in 1858 but its use fell away and it is now a scenic road beneath towering limestone cliffs. See how many converted old station buildings you can spot before the end at Chateau Bruniquel.

3. LA CôTE DES MéGALITHES (100KM)

We set off from a UNESCO World Heritage site, the prehistoric stone megaliths that scatter the countryside around Carnac. These megaliths are actually 2,000 years older than Stonehenge. After passing thousands of the stones we soon arrive at the Grande Plage and cycle alongside the beach until we reach the town’s harbour area. After crossing the bridge at La Trinité-sur-Mer we again take the coast road before finally reaching the small port town of Locmariaquer on a Saturday market day.

Slow down for the pedestrians!

4. CHâTEAUX DE PéRIGORD (100KM)

A stunningly beautiful ride starting at Château de Bourdeilles and passing beneath overhanging cliffs on the way to Brantôme, the Venice of the Périgord.

The ride continues past several Châteaux (look out for Château de Bruzac on the left just after St Pierre de Cole) and pretty villages before ending at the medieval village of St-Jean de Cole, decorated for the annual flower festival.

5. COL D'ISERAN (100KM)

The King of the Alps. Climb nearly 1,000m to the highest paved pass in the Alps, last used on stage 9 in the 2007 Tour de France.

6. ANTWERP TO NOORDERKEMPEN (200KM)

In the north of Antwerp you can find an area called the 'Noorderkempen'. The road takes you from the outskirts of Antwerp (Schoten) to Hoogstraten which is located right next to the border with Holland. Famous for the farms and fields, but also is it the favourite training ground for some very famous Pro cyclists. Due to the open fields and flatness it is a good area to work on your power output. These roads are almost car free ... so you can go as fast as you can, or have a fight with the wind.

This ride was filmed on a beautiful but cold March evening.

7. BRITTANY'S SUNSHINE COAST - CONCARNEAU TO PONT AVEN (200KM)

A perfect summer's day for a flattish ride along this rugged French coastline. Starting at Concarneau’s 15th Century walled town (Ville Close) we soon pass through the fishing port, the third largest in France, then ride towards the coast with views of the blue sea, sand dunes and beaches. We then turn inland to ride through Nevez, ending in the picture postcard old port town of Pont Aven, home of many artists including Paul Gauguin who painted many famous scenes around the area in the late 1800s.

8. BWLCH-Y-CLAWDD (OC-99) (200KM)

In South Wales cycling, the Bwlch needs no introduction. Mention the Bwlch and everyone knows where you are talking about. South Wales' answer to Mont Ventoux, there are three ways up and you will conquer them all in this challenging 32Km/20 mile ride.

The second climb, from Nant-y-Moel, is Official Climbs #99

9. MUUR VAN GERAARDSBERGEN AND BOSBERG (300KM)

Some great cobbled climbs from the heart of Belgian Classics country.

10. ALPE D'HUEZ 2020 (300KM)

The infamous Alpe d'Huez, filmed in the evening sunshine.

Count the corners down from 21 (look for the signs on the outside of each corner), or enable Bernard in Settings to have them called out. This is a busy course, count how many riders you pass, and look forward to receiving your finisher's medal at the top.

11. COL DU GALIBIER (300KM)

This northern approach from Valloire is the climb most people have in mind when talking about Col du Galibier. It's the tougher, longer and more popular ascent, regularly featuring in Tour de France and climbed annually by the riders taking part in the La Marmotte Gran Fondo cycling sportive.

12. CORMET DE ROSELEND FROM BEAUFORT (300KM)

Last used in the 2018 Tour de France, this is a challenging ascent through varied terrain up to the ‘Crown of Roselend’. It is one of the most testing climbs on the Route des Grande Alpes from Thonon-les-Bains to Nice.

13. SANETSCH FROM CONTHEY (300KM)

At 25km in length and with a difference in altitude of 1770m, the pass road could be compared to the famous Stelvio, but with less traffic. The ascent starts in the Rhone valley and meanders through the vineyards (Valais is Switzerland’s largest wine-producing canton by volume) before reaching woodland and a series of hairpin bends which lead to pastures and the summit (alt. 2252m) near the Tsanfleuron glacier. The road stops at Sanetsch Lake, a few kilometres on from the summit.