Jeanette Edgar, of the Morecambe Bay Partnership, encourages people to make the most of all seasons on the Bay Cycle Way

Before you consider putting your bike away for the winter we would like to convince you to pull on the thermals, woollies and gloves and hit a cycle route that takes you on a tour of Morecambe Bay in its autumnal and early winter splendour.

The Bay Cycle Way (National Route 700) runs from Walney Island, Barrow-in-Furness on the south west coast of Cumbria to Glasson Dock in Lancashire.

The whole route is 81 miles, but we don’t suggest you attempt it all – the days are too short this time of year! Pick a location to explore, savour the views and visit the attractions.

The route is on a mixture of quiet lanes, canal towpath, promenades and dedicated traffic-free cycle way - taking you through some of the most beautiful parts of Cumbria and Lancashire.

It travels through stunning landscapes, taking you to breathtaking views across the majestic Morecambe Bay and connects with fantastic tourist attractions.

The route takes in some of our magnificent built heritage - historic Lancaster and Glasson Dock, Conishead Priory on the Furness peninsula near Ulverston, 'The Midland’ - Morecambe’s art deco hotel, and Holker Hall, the historic home of the Cavendish family.

The hall hosts regular food markets. There’s one on December 9 – just in time for some Christmas shopping - so make sure your panniers are empty when you arrive. What won’t fit will make an excellent picnic lunch.

If you’re passionate about nature and it’s a wildlife haven you are looking for then pack a flask (lights and reflective clothing) and peddle to the RSPB’s reserve at Leighton Moss.

Autumn can bring huge numbers of waders to the area and, as winter draws in, vast starling murmurations swirl above the reedbeds as thousands of birds flock together before going to roost.

It’s a magnificent free show, well worth making the effort to see.

If you visit in December you can follow the fascinating ‘Winter Wonderland’ trail, available every day and there is a Christmas Market on December 2 – with hot mulled drinks and mince pies.

But if it's big skies, wide beaches and awe-inspiring vistas you seek then Morecambe Bay has some of the most beautiful coastline in Britain.

For a very gentle ride, cycle along Morecambe Promenade. This bracing ride gives wide uninterrupted views across to the Lake District fells. And there is a theory that says it’s never too cold for an ice cream.

Morecambe Bay Partnership, a local charity that conserves and celebrates, connects and collaborates, developed the Bay Cycle Way in partnership with Sustrans, as a family-friendly, long-distance route, suitable for entry-level touring cyclists.

And, importantly, it is designed so that you'll never be far from a loo, a view or a brew!

Details of the full route can be found atwww.morecambebay.org.uk/bay-cycle-way.