Following your arrival at the accommodation, you will be shown where you can store your bike (if bringing your own) and to your room. Most people tend to arrive early evening, but if you do wish to arrive earlier in the day and get in a few extra miles on your own, then do let us know so we can allow for an early check-in.

In the evening we will be meeting as a group in a local child-friendly pub, where over a drink and something to eat there will be an informal chat about the holiday. For all of our short breaks we use a selection of quality B&Bs and small guest-houses and hotels, which provide us with a great base for the holidays and offer a warm welcome after a day in the saddle.

Tonight is a good opportunity to get to know our MIAS (Mountain Bike Instructors Award Scheme) qualified guides who represent Skedaddle’s enthusiastic and friendly attitude to cycling as well as the other bikers on your trip.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 330m

Leaving our accommodation in Penrith we set off on a traffic free cycle route that is part of the C2C cycling route. We reverse this part of the route taking us over Thicker Beck (once Penrith’s main water supply) and continue through Newton Rigg college. From here we ride on small local back-roads that have very little traffic. The views of the Lakeland Fells from here are stunning as we work our way though the small villages of Laithes and Skelton, which is famed for its famous racehorse trainers. Next is the ancient forest of Greystoke, where we take a well-earned rest at Greystoke Cycle Café which overlooks Greystoke Castle. On offer come rain or shine are yummy home-made cakes and drinks. Greystoke is famous for its association with the legend of Tarzan. So after scoffing your cakes we’ll be seeing who can do the best Tarzan impression before we set off on the bikes. Next we head towards Blencow Hall, a fortified house with gatehouse wing dating back to the 15th century, before retracing our pedalling a little for our return to Penrith.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 330m

Setting off from our accommodation we criss-cross Penrith as we cycle towards French Field and then the remarkable Brougham Castle. Situated in a picturesque setting beside the River Eamont in the Eden Valley, Brougham Castle was founded in the early 13th century. Both a formidable barrier against Scots invaders and a prestigious residence, the castle welcomed Edward I in 1300. Next to the castle is the site of the Roman fort of Brocavum, which housed the Eighth Legion during the initial invasion of Britain in AD 43.

From Brougham we pick up a great cycle route and head towards Melkinthorpe and Abbots Lodge. Time for a well deserved lunch and no doubt a dairy ice cream from the farm. Well…it would be rude not to!!

Our afternoon ride sees us continuing along the Eden Valley, and after cycling past Brougham Hall we follow our tracks back to our accommodation in Penrith.

We plan to arrive back at our accommodation mid-late afternoon and once back we can freshen up before heading home. For those wishing to stay on for another night this can easily be arranged.