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In a nutshell
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Start
Finish
Countries
Stages
Rest days
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London, England
Belfast, Northern Ireland
England, Wales, Isle of Man, Scotland,
Northern Ireland
20 stages
Bristol, Liverpool, Edinburg, Fort William |
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Total distance
Average distance
Total climbing
Average climbing
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2.100 km
105 km
25.000 meters
1.250 meters
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1.312 miles
66 miles
82.000 feet
4.100 feet
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Road condition
Period
Accommodation
Price
Discount
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100% paved
Sunday May 17th, 2026
Tuesday June 9th, 2026
25 hotel nights
€ 6.495,-
€ 200,- for early registration |
Description
From music to fashion to mindset, The Beatles didn't
just make hits, they changed the world. Their music,
message, and legacy still resonate across generations
and continents. Named after their legendary studio
album, Abbey Road, this unique bicycle
tour across the United Kingdom is not only a tribute to
the band but also to the rich tapestry of landscapes,
cities and histories that shaped them. Spanning more
than 2.000 kilometres and traversing England, Wales, the
Isle of Man, Scotland and Northern Ireland, Abbey Road
invites cyclists to discover the United Kingdom in all
its geographical and cultural glory - from bustling
cities to remote coastlines and from ancient sites to
musical landmarks.
Our tour begins in London, the
cosmopolitan capital where modern British identity takes
root. London is a city of contrasts: Roman ruins rub
shoulders with glass skyscrapers, and typical British
pubs sit just blocks from world-class museums and
galleries. It's also the city where The Beatles recorded
nearly all of their albums at the Abbey Road Studios. On
day one, we pay homage to the famous zebra crossing
outside the studio - a modest strip of asphalt that has
become a mecca for fans around the world. This iconic
place, both symbolic and literal, marks the start of our
journey: from here, we head westward.
Leaving behind the capital's fast-paced rhythm, we find
ourselves cycling through the English countryside, where
rolling hills, quiet villages, and hedgerow-lined roads
offer a peaceful change of pace. Our first stage
finishes in Oxford, a city of dreaming
spires and intellectual gravitas. Home to the oldest
university in the English-speaking world, Oxford's
cobblestone streets and serene college gardens are
steeped in centuries of scholarship.
Continuing west, we enter the pastoral heart of southern
England. The landscape here is dotted
with farms, ancient churches, and meandering rivers.
It's a timeless setting, occasionally interrupted by a
thatched cottage or the sight of a red telephone box
next to the road. Our route brings us to
Stonehenge, one of the world's most enduring
mysteries.
From the ancient stones of Wiltshire, we make our way to
Bristol, a creative and energetic city
where tradition and innovation intersect. With its
maritime history, repurposed warehouses, and
cutting-edge street art (including works by the elusive
Banksy), Bristol exudes a vibe that is at once gritty
and inspiring.
We cross the iconic Severn Bridge into Wales,
entering a land of lyrical language, rugged hills, and
deep-rooted folklore. The roads become wilder, the air
fresher, and the scenery more dramatic. With each climb
comes a view that stretches across valleys and into the
misty distance. In Wales, every village seems to carry a
story, every pub a melody, and every mountain a myth. We
ride past sheep-covered hills, slate-roofed cottages,
and castles that rise like ancient guardians from the
green. And here and there, we might spot... an abbey on
our road.
Eventually, we arrive in Liverpool -
undeniably the spiritual heart of this journey. It was
here, in the working-class neighbourhoods and vibrant
clubs of Merseyside, that four young lads from humble
backgrounds transformed popular music forever. Liverpool
embraces its Beatles heritage proudly: from The Cavern
Club, where the band played nearly
300 shows, to the immersive Beatles Story museum, the
city invites us to retrace the steps of the Fab Four.
Yet Liverpool is more than its musical past; it's a
dynamic, culturally rich city with a strong sense of
identity, humour, and resilience.
From Liverpool, we catch a ferry across the Irish Sea to
the Isle of Man - a place that feels
like it belongs to another time entirely. With its
craggy coastline, winding coastal roads, and Celtic
heritage, the island is a cycling paradise. Known
primarily for the Isle of Man TT motorcycle race, the
island's terrain offers both challenge and beauty. We
spend a day circling its perimeter, passing medieval
castles, sleepy harbours, and windswept headlands.
Back on the British mainland, we ride through the
stunning beauty of England's Lake District,
one of the country's most beloved national parks. The
route takes us over rolling hills, along crystal-clear
lakes, and through picturesque villages, all set against
a backdrop of dramatic mountain scenery.
Venturing further north, we cross the Roman stones of
Hadrian's Wall, and cycle from England
into the wild, rugged beauty of Scotland.
In Edinburgh, Scotland's historic and
vibrant capital, we pause for a well-deserved rest day.
With its Gothic architecture, storied Old Town, and the
imposing Edinburgh Castle standing guard over the city,
it's a place that feels both regal and raw. If London is
the beating heart of Britain, then Edinburgh is surely
its soul.
From Edinburgh, we continue northwest to Fort
William, the gateway to the Scottish Highlands.
The ride into this region offers some of the most scenic
landscapes on the tour: lochs shimmer beneath
mist-covered peaks, and the air grows colder and crisper
with each passing mile. The route may be tougher here,
but the grandeur of the land is unforgettable.
Next, we cycle over the windswept Kintyre
Peninsula, immortalised in Paul McCartney's
famous ballad "Mull of Kintyre". Here, the road
narrows, the sea draws close, and the rhythm of the
waves seems to echo the music that has guided us from
the start. It's a poetic and peaceful place, and a
highlight of the journey for many.
From Campbeltown, we board a ferry across the North
Channel to Northern Ireland. The route
takes us to the awe-inspiring Giant's Causeway,
with its unique basalt columns formed by ancient
volcanic activity. We cycle through the enchanting
Dark Hedges, a tunnel of twisted beech
trees steeped in mystery and legend, before the final
leg of our journey unfolds along the breathtaking
Antrim Coast.
We finish our journey in Belfast, a
city transformed in recent decades by peace, culture,
and innovation. Once a symbol of division, Belfast now
stands as a testament to reconciliation and creativity.
With its thriving arts scene, buzzing cafés, and
stunning Titanic Quarter, the city offers a beautiful
endpoint to our challenging odyssey.
The 1st edition of "Abbey Road" starts on
Sunday May 17th, 2026
in London. The finish lies after 24 days, 20 stages and
2.100 varied kilometres at the harbour of Belfast. The
British Isles don't always have the best reputation when
it comes to weather, and rain is never far behind the
clouds. Fortunately, May is considered one of the drier
months of the year and with some luck, we'll be humming
Here Comes the Sun along the way.
Whether you're a seasoned cyclist, a Beatles fan, or
simply looking for a special journey through the United
Kingdom: Abbey Road promises to be a beautiful ode to
the landscapes, legends and lyrics that have shaped the
country. What begins with a simple crossing at a zebra
crossing in London, ends as a mosaic of impressions,
encounters and memories that will stay with you for a
lifetime. As The Beatles themselves once sang: The
long and winding road will never disappear.
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The credo of Bike Dreams is : "Life is not the
dreams you have, but the dreams you realize".
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