TODAY marked the start of a four-day bicycle extravaganza to celebrate the opening of a new long distance cycle route around Morecambe Bay. 

Hosted by charity Sustrans and Morecambe Bay Partnership, people of all ages and abilities got on their bikes at Walney Island to start the inaugural ride, and cyclists will join the group for different stages of the 81-mile route.

The Bay Cycle Way goes through the Furness Peninsula and South Lakeland, and crosses into Lancashire for the final leg of the journey on Sunday. 

There will be a free musical led ride on the final stretch of the journey, from Lancaster’s Millennium Bridge to Glasson Dock at 2pm on Sunday.

This will be followed by a free family fun bicycle-themed celebration at Glasson Dock (1.30-5pm, 14 June) to welcome the riders at the end of their journey, including live music, street theatre, face painting, balloon modelling, clown bikes and storytelling. 
 
Around 40 people will cycle the first ride around Morecambe Bay, spread over four days, and many more will join for local led rides and activities along the trip.

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.

As well as traversing along serene open views of Morecambe Bay, the path winds its way past tourist attractions such as Conishead Priory, Morecambe’s art deco hotel The Midland, sticky toffee pudding capital Cartmel, Birkrigg stone circle, Gleaston Water Mill and the RSPB’s wildlife haven at Leighton Moss. 

Anyone can join the ride as it progresses around the Bay – more information at http://www.sustrans.org.uk/events/four-day-morecambe-bay-cycle-way-ride  
 
The Bay Cycle Way (National Route 700) is the latest addition to Sustrans’ National Cycle Network – over 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.

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 route. Please book now if you want to go on one of the free led rides as they are likely to be popular, and if you’d like to volunteer to get involved we would love to hear from you!”
 
Janet Barton of Morecambe Bay Partnership said: “The launch of the Bay Cycle Way is a really exciting development for the Morecambe Bay area.  Visitors to the area will be able to experience the many wonders of this special place at a relaxed pace, taking in stunning views and sampling local produce and hospitality.  Bringing cycling tourists to the Bay area will help to support and strengthen our visitor economy, creating and safeguarding jobs.”