The Grand Tour of Bowland
Day 1 – Gisburn Forest
Experience some great forest road and single track riding within the quiet and peaceful Gisburn Forest. A short ride takes you to Cocklet Hill carpark, the starting point for a selection of easy/medium to difficult graded mountain bike routes.
From gentle easy forest roads, to fast flowing single track - whichever route you decide to take you won’t fail to appreciate a diverse range of habitats, wildlife and ancient woodland. A quick diversion to Tosside, or a short ride back to the ancient village of Slaidburn, will be your final stop for some well earned refreshments before returning to your accommodation.
- Route: 7.5 and12.5 miles
- Terrain: Forest Tracks and single track – some moderate climbs with several long flowing descents
Day 2 – Sater Fell Crossing
Quiet lanes will take you out of the ancient village of Slaidburn to the start of the old roman road of Salter’s Way. Cycling over one of the finest moorland crossings in England, you’ll discover 7 miles of remote and rugged landscape before reaching High Salter Farm, where quiet lanes will then take you to the village of Wray, renowned for it’s annual May bank holiday Scarecrow Festival.
Leave Wray to continue on quiet picturesque lanes to cross the remote splendour of Lythe Fell before crossing the Cross of Greet Bridge with great views of Pendle Hill ahead. A superb fast and long decent awaits, taking you back to the village of Slaidburn before reaching your accommodation.
- Route: 28 miles (17 mile short cut option)
- Terrain: Broad stony and grassy tracks (pot holed and rocky in sections) and quiet lanes
Day 3 – Journey to the centre of Great Britain!
Todays ride will take you on quiet lanes to the small village of Newton and on to Dunsop Bridge, the proclaimed geographic centre of Great Britain! Here you’ll have the option of some exciting off road terrain or more quiet lanes to take you on to the renowned Inn at Whitewell for some great food and drink.
Ease your way back into the saddle for some superb, remote quiet lanes with long flowing descents all the way back to your accommodation.
- Route: 32 miles (7 and 18 mile short cut options)
- Terrain: ; Quiet lanes and forest tracks – a couple of short steep climbs and descents
Day 4 – Trough of Bowland
Your day begins with a journey to the proclaimed centre of Great Britain at Dunsop Bridge, with a chance for a quick re-fuel stop before your journey continues through the stunningly scenic Trough of Bowland.
A long flowing decent takes you to the peaceful village of Abbeystead boasting a 14th century chapel, before continuing on more remote quiet lanes over high fells to reach the village of Oakenclough. Enjoy a final refreshment stop, before freewheeling into the Ribble Valley to round off your day’s cycling adventure.
- Route: 27 miles
- Terrain: Quiet lanes with option of moderate technical off road sections – some moderate to hard climbs with several long flowing descents
Day 5 – Longridge Fell
The day starts with some gentle cycling on quite fell-side lanes before joining the wide forest tracks of Longridge Fell. Enjoy peaceful and secluded cycling interspersed with several fantastic viewing points of the Bowland hills.
After a superb long winding decent leave the Fell to rejoin a quiet lane leading to a well earned refreshment stop at the New Drop Inn. With re-charged batteries it’s one more gentle climb to the top of Jeffery Hill, with yet more stunning views, before free wheeling down the other side to finish the day back at your place of accommodation.
- Distance: 20 miles (10 mile short cut option)
- Terrain: Quiet lanes and forest tracks – a couple of short steep climbs and descents
Day 6 – Island Spotting and Ghost Hunting
This morning’s ride is along quiet lanes and roads to Beacon Fell Country Park. On a clear day views range from the Pennines in the east to the Isle of Man in the west, with a fine selection of refreshments from the visitor centre teashop providing a just reward for your effort.
Descend into the Ribble Valley and the 1000 year old village of Chipping, mentioned in the Domesday Book and home to the oldest continually used shop in the country. Whilst there, those of sturdy heart can explore the Sun Inn and its reputed ghost before heading back to the tranquillity of your accommodation.
- Route: 20 miles (10 mile short cut option)
- Terrain: Quiet lanes – some moderate climbs with several long flowing descents
To book now and for more information call 07518 373 007 or text 'ca' for call back