Lithe Fell
Meet at 10am outside The Sir Richard Owen (Wetherspoons pub) for a tour briefing.
We climb out of Lancaster past Williamson Park and continue over Hare Appletree Fell before descending into the scenic Trough of Bowland, passing through Dunsop Bridge before a welcome lunch stop in the estate village of Slaidburn. The toughest and most dramatic climb is over Whitray Fell at 427m- our highest point, we then descend to Wray joining the Way of The Roses cycle route back through Hornby and along the River Lune to Lancaster.
We retrace yesterday’s route along the River Lune and Way of The Roses to Gressingham where we branch off to join NCN 10 to Kirkby Lonsdale and optional café stop. A steady climb up Barbondale and descent takes us to pretty Dent in the Yorkshire Dales and after joining NCN 68 to the days highest point; White Shaw Moss with great views of Whernside, we drop down to Ingleton for a well-earned break. We leave NCN 68 and ride south through Low Bentham before again joining The Way of The Roses back into Lancaster with the option of a café stop in Wray en-route.
We have an easy start for our last day, heading north west to Morecambe along NCN 69 then north along the bay through Carnforth and past Leighton Moss RSPB reserve to Arnside with Kent viaduct above the treacherous quick sands of Morecambe Bay in view. We follow NCN 700 to Milnthorpe and café stop by the River Bela. The return is south along NCN 6 to Yealand Storrs, Borwick, back to the River Lune at Halton and onto Lancaster where the tour ends.
Land Only - £125
A deposit of £50 per person is required as soon as possible once the Tour Organiser has confirmed your booking, with the final balance to be paid by 26-July-2025.
Written Notice Received:
Cancellation Charge:
Before 26-July 2025
£50-deposit
26-July-2025 to departure
Full price of tour
Complete the booking form
The price of £125 (land only) is based on a minimum number of 6 people taking part in the holiday. If there are insufficient bookings by Saturday 26th July 2025, we will contact you and return all monies paid.
This holiday is classed as energetic.
We will ride through the unspoilt Forest Of Bowland and along stretches of The Way Of The Roses Coast to Coast cycle route, travel into the Yorkshire Dales National Park and ride along Morecambe Bay past Arnside up into Cumbria.
The tour starts and finishes in Lancaster. The nearest rail station is Lancaster.
Travel to the start and from the finish is not included in this holiday. It is very important that you note that neither your Tour Organiser nor Bikexplore are responsible for you in any way until the appointed time at the designated meeting point. Should you fail to arrive at the appointed time for whatever reason, we will not be responsible for any additional expenses you may incur in order to meet up with the tour group. Before finalising travel arrangements, you should ensure that the tour is definitely going ahead.
Should there be insufficient bookings or pandemic travel restrictions are re-imposed, we reserve the right to cancel the tour at any time. It is therefore recommended that you book fully flexible and refundable transport and accommodation or wait until you have
been told the tour will go ahead. In the event of the tour being cancelled we will not be responsible for any losses incurred outside what you pay us.
We will use WhatsApp to communicate details like café stops, meal arrangements, places of interest and any emergencies on route. Ideally everyone will bring a smart phone and be happy to be included in the group.
If you are unable to join the WhatsApp group I can only communicate with you in an emergency.
The maximum number of participants will be 10 excluding the tour organisers.
We will stay in 'Go To Lancaster' in the centre of Lancaster.
There are 5 twin on-suite rooms and we might be able to book extra ones for single occupancy.
Prices are based on two people sharing and there is a single supplement.
No meals are provided but we will arrange to eat together.
We will frequently be travelling through rural areas and will stop at cafes during the rides whenever possible but you should buy and carry sufficient food and drink for lunch in case of emergencies.
Check which meals are provided in the Payment Schedule and ensure you have access to sufficient monies to cover any meals you will need to buy.
Check that you have informed the Tour Organiser of any dietary requirements in your Booking Form.
Please remember to pack any medications that you need to take regularly.
A touring cycle, hybrid or lightweight road bike would all be suitable for this holiday. Electric bikes can't be charged in the hotel.
You are advised to use 28mm tyres, or larger, to suit the variable terrain.
You will be expected to carry sufficient spares and tools to deal with punctures and minor repairs, including two inner tubes, pump, a spare gear cable, split link and spare brake pads.
I will carry basic general tools and a basic first aid kit, but I suggest you also bring a small first aid kit and any tools that are specific to your bike. Two water bottles should be ample as we are stopping at cafes.
You should ensure your bike is well maintained, paying particular attention to wheels, tyres and brakes. A low (easy) bottom gear is useful on the hills.
Mudguards are optional, but if it is wet then it's not so much fun cycling behind someone without them.
A lightweight lock is advisable for when we stop at cafes.
Emergency rations e.g. energy bars are good to have, and I suggest a map, or some means of navigation.
A three-day long weekend break which is fixed-base, i.e. no need to carry luggage each day.
Most of each day will be spent cycling, there is no rest day. People will be able to ride with the led group at around 19-23 km/h (on level sections) or by themselves, usually meeting up at cafes for lunch and refreshment breaks.
We'll mainly be on quiet country roads and minor urban roads plus sections of cycle path.
It is expected that you may want to stop for photographs, look at the view or explore some local object and this is okay. You are on holiday.
Inevitably, parts of the route are hilly and there is no back-up vehicle, so you do need to be fit to get the most out of this tour. It is essential to get out on your bike and do at least 30 to 50 kilometre rides before the tour starts. There are some descents too, so you should be able to negotiate these safely. Please note it may not always be possible to follow the itinerary exactly due to road works or weather etc, as things do not always go as planned. In these circumstances, you will be advised of alternative arrangements, you will need to be aware of the route each day. This information will be given to you before, or at the beginning of the holiday, and again at daily briefings.
The Organiser will not always be at the front of the group but may be anywhere within it, as circumstances require, so you will need to be aware of the route and likely stopping places each day.
Midweight clothing, suitable for cool temperatures is needed and possibly smarter, warmer clothing for the evenings.
Waterproofs/windproof will be needed.
Sun cream, lip balm and sun glasses are recommended.
My packing list is available on request - advisable if this is your first tour.
UK and Mid-Northern Europe climates
The temperature in October in Lancaster is likely to be around 14° C (day) and 8° C (night) and 2° C cooler in the hills
The weather can be variable, with a possibility of both cool bright and cold wet weather, so be prepared for all possibilities including storms.
A gpx (or fit) file of each day’s route will be provided before the start of the tour.
Recommended OS paper maps: Landranger 97 & 98 or digital OS.
Travel insurance is not compulsory for UK nationals traveling in the UK.
Current Covid and Influenza vaccinations are recommended for participants of 75 years of age and over and those deemed medically vulnerable.
It is recommended that you are vaccinated against hepatitis A, typhoid, polio and tetanus and that protection has not expired. You should contact your doctor at least 3 months prior to travel to obtain these vaccinations and the latest advice for travelers.
Holders of non-UK passports are advised to check whether they require a visa.
Harvey Bell. email: harvey.bell1975@outlook.com Phone 07525125534