O

ne look at the dramatic Cumbrian countryside and you might think it was made with mountain bikers in mind. In all directions there are rolling hills, wooded single-track trails and seriously scary descents – if you like that sort of thing.

The good news, though, is that you don’t need to be a seasoned pro to get involved; just nip down to CycleActive in Penrith. Chris Ford and his expert – and friendly – guides are just as happy hitting the trails with beginners as they are the body-armour-wearing experts.

There are various guided mountain biking trips available, all featuring specially selected routes that allow you to enjoy the scenery without scaring yourself silly.

For less experienced riders, the day starts with a quick lesson on braking and positioning, then it’s out onto the tracks to put it all into practice. That’s the fun bit.

Bikes are provided, and with an experienced instructor on hand the whole way, you can go at your own pace – safe in the knowledge that you won’t get lost…