Cycle paths around Lincoln

[middleagecyclist]

If I stop at Bardney for cake, is it worth carrying onto Woodhall Spa rather than using the B1190 into Horncastle?

 

[wajc]

I live just east of Lincoln. The route you plan to approach Lincoln from the west is one that I would like to do one day. I think it is also known as the Dukeries trail. One of its landmarks is Fledborough viaduct

http://www.forgottenrelics.co.uk/bridges/gallery/fledborough.html

I would stay on route 64 myself which takes you all the way in to the centre of Lincoln and then follow the Water Railway path out to Bardney (National cycle route 1). As others have indicated it is entirely suitable for 700x28 road tyres

http://www.sustrans.org.uk/assets/files/leaflets/Harby-Lincoln.pdf

To get on the sustrans path to the east of Lincoln you might find this useful

http://goo.gl/maps/oy7pB

Theres a 50m stretch near Foss street which is supposedly not part of the cycle route and is a designated footpath only, I ignore this and stay next to the the Foss bank. The route takes you along side Brayford Pool and under the A57 Wigford Way. It would be easy if you could stay next to the river but this will make it awkward

http://www.narrowboatworld.com/index.php/gallery?func=detail&id=62

Following the google map will mean that you will have to walk about 100m in the town centre. Ignore the wild detour google sends you up and down the A15 just use the pedestrian crossing ! You could stay on the roads if you prefer though.

Theres nothing particuarly worrying about your route through Lincoln but I note you're planning to do this on a week day. The roundabout on the A46/Skellingthorpe Road and B1190 out of Lincoln are to me less preferable than the alternative, especially if you happen to be along here at rush hour.

Further east I would skirt round the south of Horncastle but then take a slightly shorter route to Spilsby. This route follows part of a local Audax event route.

http://goo.gl/maps/zKXE4

If you fancy a short detour to Hagworthingham to vist the almost legendary JJs cafe then turn left at Lusby. Its visited often on Audax events and local club runs. You'll be hard pressed to find a piece of cake (big) and a cup of tea for the same price anywhere.

You could visit Woodhall Spa on the way back if you fancy varying the route a bit. Its a rather nice largish village with a range of shops/cafes etc.

http://www.woodhallspa.org/index.html
http://www.woodhallspa.org/leisure_waterrailway.html

Theres a photo on the above link that shows the unsurfaced 'summer' part of the route near Bardney with the sugar beet factory in the distance

The route back to Bardney on the road is fine but using the sustrans path is shorter.

 

[screenman]

If I stop at Bardney for cake, is it worth carrying onto Woodhall Spa rather than using the B1190 into Horncastle?

The B1190 from Bardney to Horncastle is a nice road that I ride often, so I would say it is not worth going to Woodhall for anything other than extra miles.

 

[GlenBen]

I would second staying on route 64 rather than skellingthorpe/tritton road. Much nicer to cycle down. Theres also a nice pub in harby, about halfway between mareham and lincoln if youre after a stop for a sandwich or drink during that stretch.

 

[Chris Norton]

Shame you dont follow the trip down to me in Boston (much better than skeggy). Nice easy ride along the water way for only about 5 miles. The surface is probably better than many roads in Lincolnshire as well.

 

[Poacher]

Some superb local knowledge in this thread; I feel inspired to follow some of your route (I'm already familiar with the riverside track between Kirkstead bridge and Southrey, and many of the local roads). The only thing I can add is that there's a superb chippy in Horncastle, which would only involve a short detour down South Street, and potentially be less fraught than the right turn from East Street into Queen Street - you can easily rejoin the Mareham Road a little further on. (This would also allow a photo of the street name for The Wong, if that sort of thing appeals.) Opposite the chippy is a pretty little park - I was in there enjoying haddock and chips only last week! Details here:
http://www.mermaidfisheries.co.uk/aboutus.html
Disclaimer: I have no connection with the chippy - just a very satisfied customer!

 

[screenman]

The Bardney summer route is just had about 1/2 mile of it covered in road plannings which contain a mass of glass, sharp horrible stuff which I would not advice anyone to ride with road tyres.

It almost looks like there are some who do not want cyclists on it.

 

[middleagecyclist]

I never got to do this route last yr but am planning to ride it this April so now is a good time to bump the thread for any possible path updates.

This is the RWGPS file i have at present. Cheers for any comments.

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/4164603

 

[wajc]

I never got to do this route last yr but am planning to ride it this April so now is a good time to bump the thread for any possible path updates.

This is the RWGPS file i have at present. Cheers for any comments.

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/4164603

I'm familiar with your route east of Cuckney all the way to the coast and would advise you of the following

The water railway path you propose taking east of Lincoln has recently had a sign posted up on it to say the stretch between Washingborough and File Mile bridge is being resurfaced - work starts mid March 2014 and that it will be closed for 8 weeks.

You will have to leave the path at Washingborough (or take a chance that you can negotiate any resurfacing works) and go via the B1190 and Five Mile Lane to rejoin the path at Five Mile Bridge.

Also I would avoid the A158 out of Horncastle even on a relatively quiet day. There is a section to the east of High Toynton that narrows and is hilly with poor sight lines (though I think as you are coming from Manchester our ideas of safe/unsafe roads are probably worlds apart) .

I've a couple of alternatives for you to think about, the first avoids Horncastle altogether but the second doesn't as you might be intending to refuel there.

http://goo.gl/maps/8MGbQ

http://goo.gl/maps/V1V8x

 

[Chris Norton]

Horncastle is worth a stop even at myers deli for some fodder.

 

[wajc]

You will have to leave the path at Washingborough (or take a chance that you can negotiate any resurfacing works) and go via the B1190 and Five Mile Lane to rejoin the path at Five Mile Bridge.

On my commute home tonight I noticed that several 6ft high barriers have been placed across the path at the Washingborough end and extend well beyond the path edges on either side. I was about 50m away so I couldn't see whether they extended down to the waters edge on both sides but they seem determined to close the route completely between Washy and Five Mile Bridge.

 

[steveindenmark]

What an excellent thread. Just what this site should be used for.


Steve

 

[middleagecyclist]

Thanks all for the replies. I've got the route sorted a a DIY by GPS audax 200k and aim to do it on 14 April - weather and health permitting. I'll post a report when i've done it.

 

[middleagecyclist]

Audax DIY by GPS 200k Manchester to Skeggy route all approved. All set for Monday 14 April. Weather looking good. Thanks again everyone.

 

[wajc]

This news will come a bit late for you but I can confirm that the section of path closed for resurfacing has now reopened.

It has been transformed from a slightly rough, undulating surface (you could almost feel where the sleepers used to be) to I suspect, the best stretch of tarmac in the whole of the Lincolnshire.