A MASS bike ride is planned for next week to mark the opening of a new five mile Lake District cycle route.

The GoLakes Travel Programme has teamed up with The National Trust to hold the event which will take in Ambleside and Skelwith Bridge before riding through to Elterwater and onto the Langdale Valley. 

It is free to join the ride and will include complimentary refreshments before culminating in a special screening of a Tour de France Stage at Sticklebarn.

As part of the 16 mile round trip, the event celebrates the official opening of a new five mile cycle route to Langdale, supported by the £6.9million GoLakes Travel programme.

Virtually all off-road, it expands the cycling network around the northern end of Windermere and complements other recent two-wheeled developments including the gentle western shore route and the newly introduced ‘bike boat’.

The National Trust has already produced a short film, to give a sneak peek at the new route here.

David Robinson, Access and Recreation Developer with the Lake District National Park Authority, said: “What a fantastic way to celebrate the work we’ve done through the GoLakes Travel Programme to open up Langdale for leisure cycling.

"Before the new trail, people couldn’t really cycle along the scenic route between Elterwater and Dungeon Ghyll without either having a mountain bike or going on the road so this is a great, way for people to safely cycle one of the Lake District’s most iconic valleys.

"The Langdale trail is just the latest addition to the area’s steadily expanding cycling network and it’s just one of the ways we’re hoping to inspire more would-be cyclists to get out on their bike this summer.”

Neil Winder, National Trust Ranger for the Langdale Valley says, “What could be better than getting out on two wheels to see more of this amazing landscape?

"This route’s got the lot – wonderful woodland, lakeshore and the dramatic Langdale fells – and it’s traffic-free. Leaving the car behind is good for your health, a great day out for the kids and fewer car journeys are brilliant for keeping the Lakes special, for ever, for everyone.”  

Anyone wanting to join the ride, which takes place on Tuesday July 15, should meet at Rothay Park in Ambleside at 10am.

For further details, visit: www.goskyride.com/Search/Details?eventid=45254.