| 1. Route has only two off road section - to the Danesholme roundabout and along the canal. Most of the rest of the route is on quiet lanes. It offers some challenges - a few short sharp climbs (out of Cottingham and Oxendon are steepish) but pretty reasonable (see return variation below).
Route climbs from Corby through Desborough to reach the highest parts of the Jurassic escarpment before dropping into the Welland Valley. Return along the Market Harborough arm of the Grand Union canal and Great Bowden (leave the canal at the second road bridge to avoid Harborough Town centre - the canal is quite windy).
Follow NCR signs from Great Bowden to Welham. Leave the route here for Ashley. If you have the energy the long straight from Ashley to Middleton is a good for a blast.
There is a more challenging variation to this return route from Welham; go via Slawston, Medbourne, Nevil Holt, Drayton and Bringhurst. More climbs and good views |