DAY 1: Lancaster to Newton in Bowland

Start from the station in the historic old port city of Lancaster – ancient capital of Lancashire - allowing some time for a quick tour either on arrival or prior to departure on Day 3.

Lancaster Castle is an impressive edifice and a guided tour offers a fascinating insight into how this imposing fortress shaped the course of British history over the last 1,000 years, before stopping off for exquisite coffee and cakes at J Atkinson & Co on China Street – just below the castle.

Lancaster has invested heavily in providing excellent cycling infrastructure and for the first 10km, your route makes extensive use of the city’s cycle lanes alongside the River Lune. At Condor Green, the route heads inland, meandering alongside the West Coast railway line to reach the pretty village of Scorton. © Jon Sparks

Here, The Barn is a popular destination for local cyclists, with ample cycle racking

and a comprehensive menu of carb-laden treats to prepare for the climbs ahead. Swinging east out of Scorton, the roads ramp up – steadily at first, then more steeply as the route climbs above the River Wyre

into the foothills of the Bowland Fells. These quiet country lanes are perfect for cycling – although they can get busy at weekends. Beyond the tiny hamlet of Marshaw, the road begins to ramp up again for the iconic climb through the Trough of Bowland. The final haul to the 300m summit is a challenging climb, but then it’s downhill all the way to Puddleducks Café in Dunsop Bridge for afternoon tea. From here it’s a short ride through stunning valley scenery to your stopover at the Parkers Arms – an award-winning country inn famed for its outstanding local produce.