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resh air, adrenaline and a licence to eat cake. These are just a few of the perks that come free with every mountain bike ride – not to mention gorgeous scenery, of course.

This is especially true if you’re heading to Gisburn Forest in the north east of Lancashire, which is widely regarded as one of the best areas in the country for off-road action.

Located in the Forest of Bowland (an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty), there are two trails in particular that you need to know about – both graded like ski runs, so you can pick the terrain to match your experience, fitness (and scaredy cat level).

Take the ‘red’ route for example, and you’re in for 18km of gnarly rocks, sweeping, banked downhills and some cheeky, thigh-burning climbs. Alternatively you could opt for the ‘blue’ instead, which takes you along a stretch of old railway line, through the twists and turns of Park Wood and finishes up with grin-inducing descent.

Whichever route you opt for, the post-ride cuppa and cake tastes just as delicious.