Half term family fun: Free bike hire and British Cycling-led guided rides in the Lakes

Mums and dads can keep the kids entertained – and help get fit – with a free Family Cycling Festival at Brockhole, the Lake District Visitor Centre near Ambleside this half term.

GoLakes Travel have partnered with British Cycling to arrange a special day of cycling activities for families on Sunday 27 October at Brockhole, the Lake District Visitor Centre. Families can take part in three free guided ‘Sky Ride Local’ rides, suitable for a range of ages and cycling abilities. Participants can hire a bike for free from Electric Mountain or bring their own bike, while Windermere Lake Cruises will be running a special ‘bike boat’ service between Brockhole and Wray Castle on the day.

From Wray Castle, cyclists can then explore a range of traffic-free cycle paths fringing the western shoreline of Windermere, under the guidance of British Cycling trained leaders. With no upper or lower age limit, there will be two ‘easygoing’ rides for younger families and one ‘steady’ ride with a bit more challenge on quiet roads and tracks.

All three routes start from Brockhole car park:

• 11.30am – Easygoing (6 miles)
• 12.30pm – Steady (13 miles)
• 2.00pm - Easygoing (6 miles)

The rides follow the success of the award-winning Sky Ride Local programme in the Lakes, which saw hundreds of people dust off their bikes and get pedalling this summer.

Places are available by pre-booking online at www.goskyride.com/Lakes.

To book free bike hire, riders should also call Electric Mountain in advance on 07407 422 798 and quote ‘Family Cycling Festival at Brockhole’.

As well as the guided bike rides, the festival will include a range of other activities to enjoy throughout the day at Brockhole. Visitors can try out electric bikes for free and there will be plenty of information for first-time cyclists and committed bikers alike. They can also take part in Brockhole’s ‘Apple Fun Day’ which takes place on the same day – sampling local produce, completing an apple treasure hunt and even competing in the longest peel competition.