Lancaster to Arnside and Kirby Lonsdale

Starting from the very handy Park & Ride at Lancaster you are soon on the cycle path heading for Halton. The road takes you up onto the ridge and grand riding with views over the bay to the left. Crossing the motorway a few times the route heads to Arnside and stays as close to the coast as possible, the scenery is superb. We now head for Milnthorpe which at 20 miles makes a good place to grab a sandwich and coffee at Sue's Snack Bar in the square. So far the ups and downs have been straightforward but we now move onto a series of very narrow minor roads (designated cycle route) where the surface is poor and the climbing more sustained. This continues until Hutton Roof where the surface improves considerably before dropping (finally) into Kirkby Lonsdale, there is a cafe in the square here if need be.

Leaving the town there is now a long flat section to Arkholme before turning left for Gressingham and the final climbs of the day, never too hard but plenty to go at and views to distract you if the legs feel a bit weary. You are now rewarded with the long drop to Caton and a return on the cycle path to the starting point