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Sometimes, it feels like no matter how much you and your partner love each other, things just feel disconnected. When a traditional date night just doesn’t cut it, it might be time to try something new: Sweat it out together. When you exercise, a brain chemical called “endocannabinoids” is released, which makes you feel happy, optimistic, and at ease. When you’re working out together, those positive feelings will extend to your partner, helping you feel closer—and you’ll feel more relationship satisfaction overall, according to one study.

Just in time for Valentine’s Day (14th Feb), leading e-bike engineers Swytch Technology unveil seven of the most scenic bike routes for couples to enjoy a romantic day out surrounded by nature. Whilst having different levels of fitness can sometimes be a barrier for couples, Swytch have devised a solution which allows you to keep up with your partner, even if they are better cyclists than you. Whilst being a less strenuous activity, e-biking also helps you burn 70% of the calories that you would from traditional cycling, according to an AMCA study. The Swytch kit dramatically reduces the price of quality e-bikes to under £500, enabling anyone to travel electric for as little as 0.4 pence per mile by up-cycling their existing bike.

 

1. The Lakeland Loop, Lake District – For the most experienced cycling couples that are seeking a challenge, the Lakeland Loop cycle route is an absolute must. Taking you through some of the country’s most spectacular landscapes, this route showcases the very best of the Lake District: think dales and valleys, rugged mountains, and gleaming, tranquil lakes. At 40 miles, it isn’t the distance that makes this route so challenging, but rather the climbs: gradients of 30% will test even the most hardened cyclists!

 

2. The Camel Trail, Cornwall – Running the length of an abandoned railway line, Cornwall’s Camel Trail has something for cyclists of all abilities. At 18 miles, it’s the perfect duration for a leisurely cycle under the sun, and the traffic-free route will take you through the idyllic woodland of Camel Valley and the wild moors of Bodmin, taking in many of the South-West’s best heritage sites along the way.

 

3. Richmond Park, London – If you live in London and you don’t have the time to head out to the countryside because you or your partner finishes work late, that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on cycling beautiful trails. Richmond Park is a cyclist’s paradise in the middle of the country’s sprawling capital, and the 12km route is full of beautiful scenery, including fauna such as herds of deer and flocks of parakeets.

 

4. The Settle Circular, Yorkshire: With its dramatic heather moorland, dense forests, and rolling green fields, this part of Northern Yorkshire is spectacularly beautiful, and this 40 mile loop takes you past the county’s most breath taking landscapes. Why not make a weekend out of it and stay the night in some of the picturesque villages you will encounter on the way such as Arncliffe, Kilnsey or Grassington.

 

5. Elan Valley, Powys, Wales – If you’d like to enjoy sensational views of the Welsh countryside – as well as the opportunity to do some mountain biking – head to the beautiful Elan Valley in Powys, Wales, where you’ll follow a trail along the old Birmingham Corporation Railway line. The trail takes you west through the Elan Valley, over Rhayader Tunnel Nature Reserve, and through the idillic woodland. This route will take you off the beaten track, but because it’s only 17 miles, it’s still a very manageable distance for one day.

 

6. Applecross via Bealach na Bà, Scottish Highlands – If you’re looking for a cycling challenge that will allow you to explore some of the most isolated and dramatically beautiful landscape in the UK, the Assynt Achiltibuie Circuit in the Scottish Highlands may be the one. Many of the roads in the Scottish Highlands are wonderfully deserted, so if you’re hoping to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life and experience a true sense of peace to re-connect, this challenging loop is unparalleled.

 

7. Causeway Coast Cycle Route, Northern Ireland – If you’re hoping to discover the wild beauty of Northern Ireland’s North Coast, then why not cycle the Giant’s Causeway to Benone? Though it’s only 23 miles, this route takes you past some of the most spectacular scenery in all of Ireland, including the world-famous Giant’s Causeway, a unique geological formation that was created by a volcanic eruption 60 million years ago.

Gracie Finch