7 pulse-raising cycle rides for couples looking to 'Swytch' it up for Valentine's Day – and one is in Ross-shire

A spectacular Wester Ross mountain pass road is being heralded the perfect way for active couples to "sweat it out" together.

The Bealach na Ba leading to Applecross succeeds in raising the pulses of many first-time visitors alarmed by its switchback turns and steep inclines.

And more experienced drivers have on occasion felt their temperature rising with the antics of a minority of motorhome and caravan users getting into difficulties trying to perform unlikely three-point turns or blissfully ignoring passing places along the way.

But ahead of Valentine's Day, it's also been hailed a quirky alternative for couples looking to reconnect.

The pitch comes from e-bike engineers Swytch Technology, plugging kit that it claims can allow anyone to travel electric for as little as 0.4 pence per mile by up-cycling their existing bike.

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A spokesman said: "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."

Swytch Technology has come up with seven of the most scenic bike routes for couples to enjoy a romantic day out surrounded by nature.

It says that whilst having different levels of fitness can sometimes be a barrier for couples, their solution "allows you to keep up with your partner, even if they are better cyclists than you".

Included on the route is the Bealach na Ba.

It states: "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."

And the others?

• 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!

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

Swytch says that while being a less strenuous activity, e-biking also helps you burn 70 per cent of the calories that you would from traditional cycling.

Swytch was founded by engineers Oliver Montague and Dmitro Khroma in 2017 in response to an obvious gap in the market for a sustainable transport solution. The idea first developed when Oliver was cycling to his workplace to meet with his boss. Despite travelling similar distances, Oliver had broken into a sweat whereas his boss arrived impeccably dressed, simply because he was on an eBike.

Oliver now plays a pivotal role as head of the company as CEO and Dmitro leads a London-based engineering team as CTO. Already saving 17,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions from previous models, Swytch believes that transport shouldn't cost the Earth - so they’ve made it their mission to make electric transport accessible to everybody.

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