Ok, so they’re not technically mountains but the big Bentley makes for a very convincing bicycle transporter in this two-wheeled adventure

Cumbria and the many peaks and valleys of the Lake District National Park have long acted as the battleground for numerous Tours of Britain and other big name road cycling events, while masochistic two-wheeled fanatics have graced the region in search of a challenge since the invention of the bicycle. But The Lakes are not only perfect for those wanting to let off some steam in Lycra (something I will go on to regret) they also boast a network of roads that will plaster a grin on the face of even the most ardent petrolheads.

And for this trip, I somehow managed to shoehorn a carbon fibre bicycle into the rear of Bentley’s latest and massively overhauled Continental GT. The £160,000 grand tourer is arguably now more curvaceous and beautiful than ever before, while the ride, the interior and on-board tech have been elevated to the next level. It’s in the best shape of it’s life, which is more than can be said for the out-of-puff idiot on the bicycle.

Unless you want to fit a tow bar to the rear of Bentley’s striking new grand tourer or sucker some flimsy pads to the roof, there isn’t much out there in the way of a rack or cycle carrier that caters for a £160,000 continent-crosser, so we were forced to take the bicycle apart and load the individual pieces into the boot.

Surprisingly, a Giant road bike, camera gear and an overnight bag will happily sit in the luggage compartment of the big Bentley, while the cosseting interior still boasts enough space for four people. But the luxury of a few chatty passengers was not one we would enjoy, as a long list of podcasts was dispatched of on the mind-numbingly boring hack from the south coast of the UK to the lush green peaks of they intended destination in north east of England.

The M3, the M40 and the dreadful M6 all seem to merge into one long motorway blur of average speed checks, traffic jams and broken down lorries, but the Bentley – with its massaging seats, I should add – motors majestically. T​his car, with its deeply rumbling 6.0-litre W12 engine, is proving the perfect road trip companion. Quiet, comfortable and fun when you want it to be, it's head and shoulders above its predecessors in terms of performance. With a staggering 626bhp and 900Nm of torque, it is never lacking for grunt and swiftly overtaking the odd slow moving tractor is a task that the Gt laps up. Depress the accelerator, wait a moment while the turbos spool up and the car hunkers down before propelling forward at a hell of a rate. There's not much in the way of fireworks or theatrics, just pure, effortless power. How very British.

T​he hugely capable 48V system from the Bentayga is ported over here, managing the actuators on the revised suspension and positively cresting over bumps and holes in the M6, which soon makes way for the A591 and immediately the vistas become more enticing, with views across lake Windermere some of the most staggering we’ve seen in a long time. A voice from the Bentley’s sat nav, which can now be wonderfully concealed behind a three-face rotating display (the others veneers either display perfectly bookmatched wood or three stunning analogue clock faces) explains that my final destination is only a few yards ahead and the striking flint and slate fascia of our bed and breakfast destination springs into view.

There is some research that suggests cyclists that tackle the Tour de France consume a ridiculous number of calories per stage, so fuzzy logic would lead to the choice of a delicious late dinner of local lamb, root vegetables and lentils, followed by sticky toffee pudding and a couple of glasses of mouth-watering Malbec the night before tackling the infamous Honister Pass. This is also a bed and breakfast, so it would be rude to pass on the Full English, wouldn't it? Chris Froome would probably do the same... 

The morning light is stunning and it's impossible to resist bagging a few snaps of the Bentley's curved haunches and aggressive new styling. This model, wearing a stunning verdant green paint job, looks so at home here in the British countryside. But we have to hit the roads, which immediately prove narrow and technical, particularly when piloting the large frame and 6.0-litre W12 engine of the Bentley. But this new lightweight chassis and all-wheel-drive set-up sees the GT dance around tight curves and squeeze through gaps with ease. 

A twisting route takes us through the picturesque town of Pooley Bridge and on to A66 through Keswick, Braithwaite and on to the stunning sights of Bassenthwaite Lake and its surrounding nature reserve. The drive is fantastic, with very little traffic getting in the way of good times, and the roads only get more breath-taking as we loop around Grasmoor and Grisedale Pike.

But horsepower must make way for pedal power and we soon arrive at the car park of the Honister Slate Mine, which hovers tantalisingly towards the end of a painful uphill struggle afforded by the Honister Pass. It's amazing what fits in this car and he bicycle is pieced back together in just a few moments. Despite the gale force winds and biting cold, I can't help thinking this would make the perfect daily drive. 

The plan is to turn right out of the car park, which involves a few metres of 20 per cent gradient before warming up the legs with a breeze down towards Buttermere. There is a 20-mile beautiful loop that runs to Stair, Manesty, Grange and Rothswaite before meeting the Honister from its uglier, craggier and decidedly more lung-busting easterly side, but the weather is dreadful. Gusting winds and painful 15 per cent gradient climbs around Stair and Manesty would make the ride long and unenjoyably treacherous, so the decision is made to flip the bike around at Buttermere and attack Honister from West to East. It’s a deceptive cruise for the first few metres but soon cranks up to gut-busting inclines. The legs spin and the large breakfast threatens to make an appearance. Out of shape, full of eggs and the wind is making it difficult to catch a breath.

Things only get steeper as the gorgeous valley closes in on all sides, with enormous boulders lining the roadside and making the experience even more daunting. Cresting the summit is bliss and we race past the slate mine car park and enjoy a snaking, speedy run down towards Seatoller and Borrowdale. But the Bentley is parked back up the Pass, so the only thing to do is chug down some energy drink, let the heart rate settle and tackle the climb again for the beastly easterly side. It’s even more difficult, despite a blustery tail wind giving me an invisible hand up the 25 per cent gradient sections, but it’s a staggeringly scenic ride and just a couple of hours in the saddle feels rewarding enough.

After a brief stop for fuel – required for both rider and vehicle (the latter is a thirsty beast) – we speed back to base at the foot of Lake Windermere to catch the final hours of some beautiful light. That’s the thing with the Lake District, it can be raging a storm at the peak of one of the many Heads and Pikes, but the sun can suddenly burst through the clouds and cover the lakes in beautifully soft light. It is arguably what inspired Wordsworth, Ruskin, Potter and numerous other literary legends that hail from the area.

O​ne thing is for sure, the new Conti GT absolutely laps up the driving roads around here, its deep leather seats, ferocious bum-warmers and pummelling massagers doing their bit to manipulate weary muscles back into some some form of comfort. Perhaps the biggest compliment that can be paid to this updated British icon is the fact that even after such a cruel bike ride, it goads the driver to go and have some fun, transforming from a continent-crossing goliath into a grin-inducing machine.

P​revious iterations were often lambasted for their heavy, overtly wafting ride but the same can't be said here. This car can now deliver its driver to a destination feeling refreshed and invigorated, even if they massively regret taking their bicycle with them. 

Price: From £163,100

Engine: 6.0-litre W12 Petrol

Power (bhp): 626

Torque (Nm): 900Nm

Max speed (mph): 206

0-60mph: 3.6 secs

MPG: 20.8mpg

Emissions (g/km): 308

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