A FOUR-day bicycle extravaganza is to be held in the summer to celebrate the opening of a new long distance cycle route around the Morecambe Bay.

The 100-mile Bay Cycle Way from Walney Island to Glasson Dock has been developed by the charity Sustrans and the Morecambe Bay Partnership.

The new path includes many traffic-free sections and is aimed at families and leisure cyclists who want to go at their own pace to explore the distinctive culture, wildlife and food of the area

Organisers are appealing for volunteers to help lead family bicycle rides on and around the new path, run cycle activities and stalls and join in final celebrations at Glasson Dock, near Lancaster, on June 14. The four day bicycle extravaganza will begin on June 11.

There will be a series of led rides which are free, but with limited places. Anyone can join the launch and receive maps and information when it starts at Walney Island to cycle along all or a section of the route.

The Bay Cycle Way is the latest addition to Sustrans’ National Cycle Network – more than 14,000 miles of cycle and walking routes across the country. The launch event is part of activities across the country to mark the network’s 20th anniversary.

A series of loops and spurs off the route, which take in even more of this special area, are also in early stages of development.

The signed path will link existing traffic-free routes and quiet lanes and lead visitors through the distinctive culture, wildlife and food of the area, including Gleaston Water Mill, near Ulverston; Humphrey Head, Grange–over-Sands; Levens Hall; Arnside and Silverdale AONB; Carnforth; Morecambe and Lancaster.

Sustrans’ Cumbria Area Manager Nikki Wingfield said: “Morecambe Bay is a unique landscape famous for its fascinating history, unique food, and rare wildlife and we want to celebrate this with a four-day series of events to launch our new cycle path. This is a great chance to explore the hidden secret assets of the Bay slowly, at your own pace, and join in with one of the many activities and rides along the 100-mile route.”

The development of the Bay Cycle Way is part of Morecambe Bay Partnership's Heritage Lottery Funded Headlands to Headspace and Coastal Communities Funded 700 Days to Transform the Bay Schemes. The schemes will support more than 260 tourism-related jobs and safeguard many thousands more.

To join the launch celebrations or volunteer to help with the activities contact Abigail Pound at Sustrans on 0161 923 6050 or email: abigail.pound@sustrans.org.uk or Morecambe Bay Partnership on 01539734888 or: info@morecambebay.org.uk.