| 1. Description
Generally a good route balancing nice countryside with the need to get to London. Not particularly hilly. The worst being the hill out of Sheffield, other notable hills were the gradient up to Corby just after Rockingham and the hill out of Barton le Clay. Undoubtedly the best section for countryside and quietness is from Bingham to Oakham. Worst roads for traffic were the A6097 Oxton to Bingham and the A6003 from Oakham to Kettering. Please wear a fluorescent jacket for theses sections! Surprisingly the A6 wasn’t too bad, many sections had cycle pavements alongside which were not too uneven. Also some sections were one very wide lane which with light summer traffic was fine. Finally the A5 was, as you would expect, busy but traffic was slow, the straight run into the centre is the closest thing London has to the Champ de lesser in Paris.
It took me two days, I camped at the side of the road near Uppingham. Wind was side / head at times.
Route planned with the help of Michelins route planner (click the bike option). Also carried with me a cheap road atlas to navigate.
Take the A6135 out of Sheffield, through Mosborough to Renishaw
Turn right on to B6419 to Bolsover
Continue on B6419 and A617 to Mansfield Woodhouse
Go through centre of Mansfield and head for Rainworth
Unclassified road to Blidworth, Haywood Oakes, Oxton
A6097 to Lowdham and Bingham
Then take unclassified roads to Langer, Harby, Walton on the Wolds
Take single track road to Garthorpe (note may not be on some of the national maps)
Then to Wymondham, Ashwell, Oakham
A6003 to Uppingham, Corby, Kettering
Through centre of Kettering look for the A6 to Rushden and Bedford and Luton (be sure to take the short cut through Barton le Clay)
Through the centre of Luton heading for the A1081 to Wheathhampstead and St Albans
Once at St Albans head for A5183 to Radlett and Elstree
Then head for the A5 All the way into London.
Stats
Approx 170 miles
Day 1: 8 hours 75 miles
Day 2: 11 hours 96 miles
|