©Lumusphotography/thinkstock/Steve Rutherford 2012

We’ve got just under a month to train for a very special event in the Cotswolds: a guided bike ride between Calcot Manor and Barnsley House with cycling author Anna Hughes, above right.Barnsley House, GloucestershireThe cycle ride, which takes place on 1 October, starts at Calcot Manor, above, near Tetbury, and heads for Barnsley House, near Circencester, before finishing back at Calcot. Both hotels are passionate about countryside cycling – Calcot has even installed a dedicated bike shed in a former grain store with wash-down facilities, secure storage and bike maintenance supplies.Barnsley House, GloucestershireThe 45-mile route will take cyclists mostly along country lanes, through the autumnal Cotswold countryside. We might not even need to train as Anna says it’s a fairly easy cycle, with a few hills but nothing too arduous. Cyclists will leave Calcot after a light lunch at 12 noon, with an ETA at Barnsley House, above, of 2.15pm. After refreshments and a well-deserved slice of cake, cyclists then return via slightly different route. At 6pm, Anna will give a talk about her latest book, Pedal Power, over drinks and ‘hearty’ canapes at Calcot.Hot tub, Calcot Manor, GloucestershireAfter that you and your bike could simply return home. Or you could take advantage of Calcot’s bike shed and stay the night – the hotel will be offering a special overnight rate of £175, including breakfast, or from £225, including breakfast and dinner, based on two sharing a twin/double room and subject to availability. Use of spa facilities is included so you could ease those tired leg muscles in the hotel’s fabulous outdoor hot tub, above.Cotswolds countryside in autumnThe Calcot and Barnsley House guided cycle ride and book talk with Anna Hughes on Sunday 1 October costs £45 per person (bikes are not provided). Book talk only is £15 per person. For further information or to book a place on the cycle ride, call Calcot Manor on 01666 890391.

BY MAGGIE O’SULLIVAN