As more people are taking to their bikes again, the Lake District has become the first National Park to join the cycling Sky Ride initiative. Alexa Copeland went to try it out.

CYCLING is enjoying something of a renaissance in the UK, thanks in no small part to the heroics of our twowheeled Olympians and Paralympians at the London Games.

British Cycling has seen its membership double to 60,000 in the past five years, and there are now one million more people taking to their bicycles at least once a month than in 2009.

One region keen to capitalise on this new wave of lycra-clad enthusiasm is the Lake District. Its towering peaks and isolated roads may be a walkers’ paradise, but they have traditionally served as a daunting deterrent to novice two-wheelers. That is all set to change this summer as the Lake District has become the first National Park in the country to join the Sky Ride scheme, which makes cycling as accessible to those who haven’t ridden for decades as it is for those shimmering spandex machines, who seem to ride faster than most people can drive.

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SKY’S THE LIMIT: Alexa Copeland and the battery-powered bike

Sky Ride is a pre-planned cycling route led by a British Cycling-trained leader, who sets the pace according to the fitness level and inclination of the group. The rides are free, although participants can hire a bicycle for a small fee, and for for those still daunted by miles and hills, there is also the option of hiring an electric bicycle – which of course is the option I took.

Although I consider myself to be reasonably fit, there’s no denying that I’m inclined to take the easy route when it comes to matters of physical exertion. So when I was offered the chance to tackle a 14-mile Sky Ride around Coniston Lake on an electric battery-powered bicycle instead of a traditional two-wheeler, I jumped at the chance. Metaphorically, of course.

The electric bikes on offer at the Coniston Boating Centre are the Giant Escape or the Giant Esprit. At first glance they look no different from normal hybrid bikes except for the pannier batteries at the rear wheel. The battery will last around 20 miles, with a spare in the opposite pannier, and there are 33 charging points throughout the Lake District cycle network.

The first thing you notice when you sit on the saddle is the small control panel mounted to the handlebars.

It sets how much battery power you want to use as well as recording current speed alongside trip time, average speed and other such variables.

Its usefulness is determined by the rider’s ability to actually program the device properly, so enough said about that.

The next thing you notice is that electric bikes are heavy at the rear.

This isn’t a problem when you’re whizzing along – in fact I was pleasantly surprised by how well the bike handled – but it is something you have to bear in mind every time you stop or set off.

Once you get going, an electric bike makes you feel like you have ‘superhero legs’. You still have to turn the pedals, but it’s like every one of your revolutions has the power of Bradley Wiggins’ Tour-de- France-winning calves behind it.

My electric bike made me feel like I could cycle up Scafell Pike without breaking into a sweat – and the reality is that I actually probably could have.

This added electric oomph meant that I could concentrate more on the stunning Lake Coniston scenery and less on whether there was another hill around the bend. Smug doesn’t even come close; you can literally sit back and enjoy the ride while those on normal bikes puff and toil.

Some purists will doubtless argue that riding an electric bike is cheating, but it can’t be denied that they are a fantastic way to get people on to two wheels who may not be confident about their fitness or cycling prowess.

They are not the preserve of old or lazy people, but are a thoroughly enjoyable option for anybody who wants to get out in the fresh air and enjoy a ride around a beautiful Lake District route without paying the price in buckets of sweat and aching muscles.

The Sky Ride scheme is part of a £6.9m drive by Go Lakes Travel to transform the Lake District into a real cycling hotspot over the next two years. Money has been spent on many miles of new cycle track through some of the area’s most iconic landscapes including Hawkshead, Ambleside, Coniston and Elterwater.

There are 30 organised Sky Rides planned for the summer, with the next leaving from Hawkshead car park on June 2.

Other pro-cycling initiatives include the introduction of bike buses, the development of largely road-free bicycle routes and the linking of the region with the Electric Bicycle Network.

This means that within the Lakes there is a 35-strong fleet of electric bikes available at 12 hire points around the Central Lakes.

TRAVEL FACTS

The Lake District is known for its wealth of campsites, guest houses and hotels, but for those seeking something just that little bit different and with luxury to spare, the Windermere Marina Village fits the bill.

It has recently benefited from a £3.2m investment and boasts scores of luxury apartments and waterside penthouses overlooking a resplendent marina.

There is also a new bar and restaurant to enjoy and the marina is perfectly situated for an easy stroll into Windermere town where you can take advantage of boat cruises across the lake.

These regular Windermere Lake Cruises link up with Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway and a combined attraction ticket will allow you to board the boat and then the stream train upon arrival at Lakeside, plus admission to the Lakeland Motor Museum.

Details of the Windermere Marina Village can be found at wmv.co.uk or tel 01539- 446-551

Information about Windermere cruises is available at windermerelakecruises.co.uk.

For more information on Lake District Sky Rides, attractions and bike hire, visit golakes.co.uk