Top 10 BEST Countries To Ride A Bike | 150 World Bike Travellers Surveyed

This top 10 list has been compiled using data collected from 150 travellers who have completed epic bicycle journeys across continents. These cyclists, including myself, were asked to list their three favourite countries and the reasons why. The way I've ranked this list is simple. Each of the 150 cyclists got three votes to cast and I simply tallied up the results. In the end, 80 different countries were favourited, which is pretty cool because that means that most corners of the world have something for somebody. Incredibly, 18% of all long-distance cyclists in the survey agreed on one country in particular and I don't think you're going to be able to guess which country it is. Coming in at number 10 is Kyrgyzstan. This Central Asian country is exactly as exotic as it sounds, offering wild camping under picturesque mountain backdrops, along with gorgeous traffic-free backroads and challenging remote cycling routes through the grassy hills of the Western Himalayas. The Kyrgyz families you'll meet will be exceptionally friendly. They spend about half their time with huge herds of horses in the most isolated pockets of the country, welcoming you into their yurts, gold smiles glimmering to experience one of the last truly nomadic cultures. My advice to you is to politely decline the fizzy horse milk that will inevitably end up in your hand. Chile is almost 4,000 kilometres long, which allows it to offer almost unbelievable geographic variations, from the high-altitude moonscapes and crystal blue lakes of the north, to the temperate rainforests of the south, to the bobbing icebergs in the Patagonian Icefield and the jagged peaks of Torres del Paine National Park. In Chile, you'll find endless dirt roads across dry deserts, past picture-perfect lakes, over 5,000 metre high passes and through fresh conifer forests, and you can basically throw a stone and it will be the perfect place to pitch your tent. It's worth noting that long-distance cyclists often voted for Chile and Argentina together in the region known as Patagonia. I decided to offer half a vote to each of these countries, but if Patagonia was a country, it would come third on this list. Running an equal sixth place with two other countries, Mexico is a developing country gifted with incredible landscapes, a fascinating history, a rich culture and a world-famous cuisine. You will find yourself cycling through vast deserts, across rugged mountains, into evergreen jungles and along endless beaches. Go off the beaten track to discover the most friendly Mexicans, including large indigenous populations who speak languages you didn't even know existed. And make sure to immerse yourself in the expansive ancient ruin sites to imagine what life would have been like as a Mayan or Aztec all those years ago. There is nowhere on earth like India. When you first arrive it'll be an attack on your senses with vibrant colours, the best and worst smells, loud horns and the excitement for life that Indian cities are renowned for. The rough roads in the breathtaking mountainous north are the popular zone for bike travellers. There you'll discover quiet roads, hill tribes, clifftop monasteries and traditional cultures. For a real challenge, check out one of the highest roads in the world in Ladakh, which exceeds 5,000 metres in elevation. As an Australian, I'm pretty stoked to see my own country liked by so many other bike travellers. Australia is the world's sixth largest country by landmass and is home to a continent's worth of different landscapes, along with the oldest continuous culture in the world, the Aboriginal Australians. The crimson red centre offers never-ending dirt roads, open horizons and a very testing climate. Tracing the coasts, you'll find everything from the best beaches in the world, alpine terrain complete with snow cover, colossal-sized coral reefs, lush rainforests and an abundance of strange animals, which I think are the coolest on earth. Iran is the most misunderstood country in the world, both culturally and geographically. The Iranian people could not be any more different from the governments representing them. Iranians will stretch your perception of what it means to be kind and open, and they will show you just how much more you can give and share in your life. As a cyclist, you'll be offered friendship, city tours, food and a place to stay almost every day with no strings attached. The landscapes are also much more than a desert. Iran has four seasons, a mountain range with peaks towering over 5,000 metres high, dense forests and an abundance of wildlife. Mix in the unique Persian culture and long and fascinating history, and it's not hard to see why Iran is a touring favourite. Along with India, China is one of the most polarising destinations in the world. The culture feels foreign to even the well-travelled, so it's the kind of place you need to take by the horns and accept the myriad of challenges it will throw at you. As you make your way across the provinces, you'll be discovering some wildly curious people who live in a country that operates very differently to your own. If you were drained by the idea of a large population, 19 out of 20 Chinese people live in the eastern provinces, which leaves the rest of the country surprisingly empty with vast areas of gorgeous nature. Coming in at number three is Tajikistan with its world-famous Pamir cycling route. Although a superhighway of bike tours in the summer months, this route is still rough and testing of you and your equipment. Ride along the rollercoaster sections of road, past rusting tanks and crumbling watchtowers, parallel to mountains that are so remote they've literally never been summited. The United States of America is home to a diverse network of ever-changing environments, making it ripe for being explored on a bike. The landscapes include everything from wild rock formations through to deep canyons, vast desert expanses and pristine redwood forests. If you prefer solitude, there are enough low-traffic roads to keep to yourself, but if you're feeling more social, take on popular bike routes such as the Pacific Coast to bump into like-minded travellers. The best cycling routes have been mapped by the Adventure Cycling Association, who provide information about their bike touring network, which currently spans a staggering 47,000 miles. The country voted the long-distance cyclist favourite is Turkey. It's also right up there for me, but I had no idea that 18% of people surveyed agreed. Turkey is a dream destination that offers the complete package, from quiet roads to idyllic towns, sunny beaches, diverse landscapes and a very interesting cultural bridge between Europe and Asia. Turkey has a long and fascinating history, with ancient ruins dating back as far as 12,000 years, along with cheap and tasty food and a great climate for cycling even in winter. The cherry on the top is the warm and welcoming Turkish people who offer extreme kindness to bike travellers, inviting you over to share a sweet chai, a game of backgammon and maybe even a place to stay. I really shouldn't be surprised by Turkey coming in at number one. It pretty much ticks all boxes from comfort to curiosity. As a result, I think Turkey definitely deserves the top spot of this list. If you've travelled extensively by bike, I would love to hear your top three countries in the comments below. 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