The Lancashire Cycleway. Jon Sparks

      If you've come along the Lancaster Link, turn left. If you’ve ridden in from Crook O’Lune, turn right. Either way, cross the narrow bridge. The entry and exit show evidence of inaccurate driving, but there’s additional space for bikes and pedestrians. Follow the lane up to a T junction and go left, passing the Greyhound Inn before rising to a mini-roundabout. Go straight across (second exit) into Foundry Lane.

      Continue up through the trees then, still climbing, over the motorway to a crossroads. Turn right and climb steadily, passing a tall television mast. At the next T junction go right, re-crossing the motorway, then climb again through Nether Kellet. Near the top of the village turn left for Carnforth: you can freewheel almost all the way if you like.

      Nether Kellet’s village pub is the Limeburner’s Arms, a highly appropriate name as there are still working quarries nearby. It’s probably the most traditional pub on the Cycleway route. Don’t expect food, and don’t expect to find it open in the daytime either.

      Turn left at a T junction onto the B6254 and go down into Carnforth over a narrow bridge with traffic lights, crossing the Lancaster Canal. Go straight ahead at the next set of traffic lights and down to pass Carnforth Station.

      Carnforth boasts one of the best second-hand bookshops in the north-west, and a variety of pubs and cafés. The main claim to fame is Carnforth Station, which was a principal location for one of the all-time classic British movies, Brief Encounter (released in 1945 and starring Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard). There’s a pleasant tearoom (it lacks the smoky atmosphere of the film, which may be why it’s pleasant) and some intriguing historical displays. The curved platforms that provided so many great camera angles have also been spruced up. Don’t miss the platform clock, which figured significantly in the film.