Start right by the beach at Sandy Gap which is also the start/end of the Walney to Wear and Whitby (W2W) National Cycle Network route 70. The island has two nature reserves, the North Walney National Nature Reserve offers sand dunes to explore, while South Walney has many hides to watch the island’s bird and sea life.

Heading off the island, your adventure on 2 wheels takes in Barrow – a town built on innovation and shipbuilding – with many fine Victorian buildings including the impressive town hall. Ride along the dockside before picking up the traffic-free Westfield Trail towards Roa Island where you can see the unmistakable outline of Piel Castle. In the summer season, a ferry takes visitors across to Piel Island and castle where you can visit The Ship Inn and meet the King of Piel (the landlord).

Following the coast road looking out over the Irish Sea you can stop awhile and you might spot some of Morecambe Bay’s regular visitors – terns, curlew, knot, oystercatcher and even grey seals. Then head inland to meander through the pretty villages of Leece and Dendron passing by Gleaston Watermill.

Next head out to the atmospheric stone circle on Birkrigg Common offering spectacular views across the Bay before passing the Manjushri Kadampa Buddhist centre at Conishead Priory with its magnificent Temple for World Peace. The Hoad Monument dominates the approach to the attractive bustling market town of Ulverston – the festival capital of Furness with an assortment of specialist shops, colourfully rendered houses, cobbled streets and inviting cosy pubs.