Cycling is one of the biggest, and most popular sports in the entire world. While not necessarily popular as a watched sport, bikes are owned by 42% of households around the globe. An estimate puts the number of bike-riders at 580 million worldwide, which puts it in the top 3 most popular participation sports.
While the popularity of cycling as a watched sport can’t be compared to the likes of football, basketball, etc., the sport still has a pretty big fan base worldwide. Prestigious cycling events, like the Tour de France still draws in a huge crowd annually, and not just fans, but also plenty of punters too.
Online betting sites have begun to put in a lot more effort into covering more and more cycling events. The websites at Bet Station, not only put a lot of work in their coverage of the Tour de France, but also the two remaining Grand Tour races, and a dozen of other smaller-scale cycling events as well.
While the popularity of cycling as a watched sport may not be all that high, the sport is still hugely popular as a participation sport. Bike trails are huge attractions around the world. In this article, we are going to take a look at a few of the best and longest cycling tracks in multiple countries.
The Shimanami Kaido(Japan)
The ShimanamiKaido is not an especially challenging track. At around 40 miles, the route coils across the countryside of the Hiroshima prefecture, with an idyllic view of the small, gorgeous islands in western Japan. The short length of the trails means it is great for beginner-level cyclists, as well as, for a family outing with a healthy bent.
The Great Divide Mountain Bike Route (North America)
Spanning close to 3000 miles, from Alberta, Canada, to New Mexico, The Great Divide is one of the longest bike tracks in the world. If 3000 miles isn’t enough of a challenge for you, The Great Divide also combines over 60,000 meters of climbing. Even the most dedicated cyclist is liable to break a sweat on this track.
Due to the rough climate conditions, the Great Divide can only be traversed in the months between June and September, and the length of the trail means it would take over a month to complete, on average. The record time of completing the Great Divide is, as of now, held by Mike Hall, who finished the track in little under 14 days.
Sadly, Mr. Hall passed away in 2017, in a tragic accident while riding a bike in Sydney, Australia.
The Friendship Highway (China)
Spanning the length from Lhasa to the Nepalese border, The Friendship Highway stretches for 500 miles. Despite its wholesome name, the Friendship Highway is definitely not very friendly. At over 5000 meters high, it is by far the highest biking track in the world. On a clear day, the Gyatso La pass will reward those who have the will to endure the Friendship Highway, with a spectacular view of Everest.
