The email from Cheryl’s mother simply read “Are you still in one piece, Justine?”

I can only imagine she was wondering why I was taking part in a 3-day 200km off-road loop of the lake district on my mountain bike, after I punctured my lung the last time I mountain biked with her daughter!

Yesterday evening, I could happily reply to Brenda that I am still in 1 piece, with a big grin on my face. An accident doesn’t stop me enjoying something – although I was careful! I love journeying through wild and beautiful places, whether that’s by kayak, bike or on foot so I was really excited when Cheryl invited me to pedal “the Lakeland Loop” on a “girls trip”. The 3 day trip would wind it’s way around a lot of the Lake District, climbing over 3 or 4 passes a day & staying off-road wherever possible.

Don’t think that this must be easy if a bunch of girls can do it! The other lasses were fit, feisty & great fun! We biked for 8 hours a day, got wet feet within 30 minutes of starting, climbed 7,000 metres with burning thighs & descended 7,000 metres with big smiles. The terrain varied from wide grassy tracks, forestry roads, technical single track, squidgy bog & everything in between. We were fuelled by yummy cakes, teas & sandwiches at pubs & cafes, while home-made flapjacks, Nakd bars, Clif bars & happy laughter kept us going in between! At the end of a long day, we stayed in a YHA at Wasdale and a great B & B at Croswaite.

Cheryl runs a cycling holiday company called “Rather be Cycling” with her partner Gavin & this is one of the routes that they take people on commercially. Gavin kindly met us at the end of every day with a bag of clothes, & he fixed any creeks or squeaks on our bikes. If you fancy a challenging & beautiful bike tour then I can recommend this one – it’s brilliant fun! Here are the Lakeland loop details.

If you prefer to go further afield, “Rather be Cycling” also run mountain biking trips in Nepal, Kazakhstan & Europe, & classic road bike trips in the Alps & Morocco. Read more here  or follow them on facebook.