The Bay Cycleway is a stunning long distance route around Morecambe Bay, one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the UK. The route runs from the south west coast of Cumbria to Glasson Dock in Lancashire.
Wednesday 1st May
Four of us set out from Walney Island on a dampish Wednesday morning. It didn’t take long for the sun to shine and we quickly removed our waterproofs.
We cycled round through the dock area which was really interesting, past BAE Systems huge buildings and ships in the docks before heading inland out through Rampside, Roosebeck, Leece and Gleaston and a great descent with fabulous views of the Bay onto Bardsea. We went past the fabulous Buddist Temple on the way into Ulverston where we had out lunch stop in a lovely little Bistro.
After lunch we headed towards Greenodd and then crossed the Leven Estuary on our way to the steepest climb of the whole ride through Low Wood and then onto Bigland Hill (very aptly named). After a gradual descent we arrived in Cartmel via the racecourse, it was then a slightly undulating ride taking us to Grange over Sands and the end of our first day.
Thursday 2nd May
Five of us headed out of town via the Golf Club and onto Meathop Fell onto a quiet road adjacent to the A590 towards Witherslack and Levens villages and Levens Hall with its stunning topiary gardens. We turned off towards the Kent estuary and the on the coast road through Sandside. The views round the coast and across to Grange were fabulous.
We climbed out from Arnside and cycled round the edge of Arnside Knott to Silverdale, once again spectacular views of Morecambe Bay. We arrived at Carnforth for a Brief Encounter at Carnforth Station café and musuem for lunch. After lunch it was onto the canal to Hest Bank, Bolton le Sands and then Morecambe where we had ice creams at the famous Bruccianis art deco café and ice cream parlour.
We then took the cycle path to Lancaster, across the Millenuim Bridge on onto the cycle path to Glasson Dock to the end of the 81 mile ride.
It was a fabulous ride thoroughly enjoyed by all of us.