The south downs around Ventnor and Shanklin provide some challenging mountain biking rides with the bonus of great coastal views. For a short ride, start at Shanklin and take the A3055 towards Ventnor and climb to the top of the hill to a house overlooking the coast. Look out for a bridleway on the bend, which climbs to the top of Luccombe Down. Follow the ridge top south and west past radar masts and descend to Lowtherville. Take the road to Ventnor Golf Club and then a bridleway, which meets the Stenbury Trail. Follow the Stenbury Trail north as far as Freemantle Gate and then head for Wroxall village where the old railway line will take you back to Shanklin. NB These routes should be followed using Ordnance Survey Map No 29 (1:25,000)

For a classic rollercoaster downland ride, the Tennyson Trail is unrivalled. The start at Freshwater Bay is accessible from the Yarmouth Ferry Terminal. The trail traverses the Islands chalky spine as far as Carisbrooke and provides a feast of good views. From Carisbrooke, ford Lukely Brook at Clatterford and climb Froglands Lane to pick up Sheperds Trail as far as Newbarn Farm. Turn west and climb steeply, you meet a bridleway at Dukern Copse and follow this south then north-west before switching to the Worsley Trail at Lorden Copse. This rejoins the Tennyson Trail above Brighstone. Return the same way or explore parallel tracks through the forest.