Our Guides
For your Cycling Adventures in the Lake District
Forget about the hassle of route planning, the frustration of stopping to read maps, running out of battery on your phone or getting lost! Our guides know the area inside out and will take you on routes that only locals know about.
Shelley Barlow
Born and bred in the Lake District Shelley is a true ‘mountain hound’. From an early age Shelley has explored the offroad routes of south Cumbria, and has a reservoir of secret tracks and trails on which to guide you . Shelly is equally skilled and qualified at intermediate or beginners off-road guiding… you are guaranteed a fun guided ride to suit your abilities and aspirations, as Shelley’s zest for life and enthusiasm is infectious. Fancy some offroad guided overnight backpacking adventures? Shelley just loves this, call John to discuss.
John Sutcliffe
John has been cycling since he was three years old and that was a long time ago. He has lived in Lowick Green on the edge of the Lake District National Park for the majority of his adult life and has an intimate knowledge of this beautiful part of the countryside. John has cycled in many countries – Spain, Morocco, Tenerife, Mallorca, France, Italy, to name a few, cycling with friends and family and has also experienced guided holidays in Europe and Asia. He is also a Level 2 Ski Instructor and a Level 1 Snowboard Instructor so is well versed with the attitude, skill and humour needed in guiding groups or individuals on a wide variety of different routes.
Graham Carrick
Graham is the racing secretary for the Barrow Central Wheelers, a strong local cycling club and is head master at the local school in Penny Bridge. Initially a mountain bike hound in his teenage years he was converted to being a ‘roadie’ after riding with John and now regularly competes in a variety of road racing events, time trialling and cyclo-cross. Graham has completed the Fred Whitton Challenge, the hardest one day cycling sportive in the country, on three occasions. He is now in training to achieve a time of under seven hours for this year’s gruelling 113 mile journey over the Lakeland passes. Graham was born in Ulverston and now lives between Lowick and Penny Bridge – a true Cumbrian who knows all the rides in this area and would love to share them with you.
Rennell Brennan – Off-Road Specialist Guide
Ren is a fantastic guide who has lived and ridden in the Lake District for over twenty years. She has a vast knowledge of fabulous trails and adapts rides to cater for all abilities from leisurely beginner to expert mountain biker. She also knows the best coffee and cake stops!
“My goal is to inspire others of all abilities to find a passion for biking and to help them achieve the best they can be.”
Ren competes internationally, representing GB in Off-Road Triathlon and is European Champion in her age group. In 2020 she was named one of the top 100 female cyclists in the UK.
Ren is our guide for ‘Guiding Plus Tuition’. A unique opportunity to receive tuition and improve your technique whilst out on the trails. She has many years teaching experience and loves to help people at all levels including those who have never ridden off-road before.
Alex Christian – Off-Road Guide
Alex was born and bred here in South Cumbria. He knows all the wonderful local tracks and trails in this beautiful area and will guide you over the easy or more testing terrain to suit your ability. He knows Grizedale Forest ‘inside out’, with it’s multitude of off-road opportunities and he will guide you into the forest along many tracks known only to the very few. Alex is currently studying at Edinburgh University so is only available to guide during student holidays.
Margaret Sutcliffe
Margaret has lived in Lowick for most of her life. A keen horse rider, cyclist and walker she knows the local bike routes well. She recently upgraded her bike to an Enigma Titanium Evoke with Ultegra Di2 gears and Hunt 4 Season wheels which she loves. A confident cyclist and guide she is particularly aware of her clients’ cycling abilities and plans her road adventures accordingly. Whether a leisurely pedal through the lovely Lakeland lanes, with plenty of photo opportunities or maybe a stop for a swim to longer rides further afield she will find a suitable scenic route with the best café stops.