Summer in Britain. There’s no better time to be out on a bike — and no better place than the high hills of the North of England. Just standing there is enough to make you feel glad to be alive.

There are loads of great bike-friendly places to stop in Yorkshire, Cumbria and County Durham. With the Lakes, the Yorkshire Dales and the North Pennines on the doorstep, a few days based in Sedbergh opens up a world of riding possibilities — whether you want to ride over England’s highest A-road (Killhope summit) or visit its highest pub (the Tan Hill Inn), ride its steepest pass (Hardknott Pass) or just enjoy a more laid-back loop on broad and scenic roads that wind across open moors.

There are roads here to suit all kinds of bikes — tight and challenging single-track lanes for adventure bikes as well as broad, smooth ones to suit two-up tourists. Some can see a bit of traffic at the weekends (especially if you head into the Lakes) but if you treat yourself to a midweek trip, you’ll barely see another soul. For the finest, quietest riding, head into the Pennines.

HOW TO GET THERE

It’s remarkably easy. If you’re in a hurry, just follow the M6 to J37 and pick up the A684 to Sedbergh. If you are in less of a rush, the A684 through the Dales from the A1 is much more fun.