Way of the Roses opens on Saturday

One of the many ways that Sustrans will be celebrating the 15th anniversary of the National Cycle Network on Saturday (11 September) will be the opening of The Way of the Roses – a 170-mile coast-to-coast cycling route across Yorkshire and Lancashire.

The new route, the entire length of which will be ridden on Saturday, will form part of the National Cycle Network, which now extends to over 12,600 miles across the UK and carries more than a million walking and cycling journeys every day.

In Morecambe at 11am on Saturday the Lancashire start to the route will be officially unveiled by the Mayor of Lancaster, local-born designer and Sustrans patron Wayne Hemingway, and Martyn Brunt, Sustrans National Cycle Network development manager. The three will then begin a bike ride to a civic welcome and map presentation in Settle.

And at 9.30 the same morning in York, Cycling England board member and City of York Council Councillor Dave Merrett, alongside Sustrans president John Grimshaw and Sustrans director in Yorkshire David Hall, will be joining partners, Sustrans volunteer rangers and other supporters to unveil a route sign at the famous Minster, and start cycle rides to Boroughbridge and Bridlington.

One intrepid Sustrans supporter, Martyn Bolt, the CTC’s development manager for North Yorkshire, is taking on the challenge of completing the 170 mile route in just one day – setting off from Morecambe at sunrise and finishing the day in Bridlington.

Starting on the Irish Sea coast in Morecambe, Lancashire, and finishing on the North Sea coast in the seaside resort of Bridlington, Yorkshire, the Way of the Roses passes through some magnificent landscape, including the Lune Valley, the Forest of Bowland, and the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The route also passes through historic cities and towns such Lancaster, Ripon and York. It is the newest of seven UK coast-to-coast routes on the National Cycle Network.

Wayne Hemingway said, “I’m thrilled to be a part of launching this brand new route. Morecambe is a special place for me as I grew up here and remember riding my bike around as a child. Now, as the start point for a new challenge ride across Lancashire and Yorkshire, Morecambe will become a memorable place for many more people.”

Sustrans president John Grimshaw added, “What better way to celebrate 15 years of the National Cycle Network than by opening this spectacular new coast-to-coast route? As well as satisfying those looking for a cycle challenge, it will also provide useful local travel options through towns and cities along the way for anyone travelling to work, school or the shops on foot or bike.”

A ‘Way of the Roses’ route map is now available to buy priced £6.99 or to find out more about the route, visit www.sustrans.org.uk.