Map (zoom in for more detail)
Directions & GPX etc
GPX file (right click to download)
TCX file (right click to download)
FIT file (right click to download)
Glorious Bike Rides
Glorious Bike Rides
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I did this circuit on 25 Feb 2024 after heavy rain. There are a few off-road sections which were very muddy and wet. Consider conditions, tyres and clothing 🙂
The section between Ratby and Groby (through Martinshaw Wood) was waterlogged and impassible.
The section through Bradgate Park is beautiful -worth doing the ride for that section alone.
Good and varied terrain and surroundings. Some of the villages conform to the English idyll, other places are more post-industrial; all tell the story of the land though. Road bike with 35mm tyres was fine (dry conditions). The Victorian Tea Rooms at Shackerstone Station are slightly off route so keep your eyes peeled when you get to the village if you’re wanting to stop there. Also wish I’d known that the northernmost of the two crossings of the M1 is by Butthole Lane. There’s a lovely collections of pot-bellied veteran oaks in the stately Bradgate Park. Steady as you go as you cycle through though, it’s very popular with picnickers, and the signage implies cyclists aren’t particularly welcome (5mph limit, stay on the road). This was it for me: https://www.strava.com/activities/19012984009/flyover?origin=shared
Good spot there, Butthole Lane. You may be interested in lanes.lostlanes.co.uk – Happy searching!
My first Lost Lanes attempt and my local one to get me going. I’ve ridden all around this area for years but still managed to find ‘new roads’ / lost lanes. Very enjoyable.
The Coalville section has a couple of deviations however.
1. The old rail line section is closed from the main Belvoir road, it appears to be because of an unsafe building further up the track. Instead you’ll need to detour right then left to the main entrance of the Snibston discovery park on Ashby road where you can rejoin the track.
2. Shortly afterwards there are construction works on a new housing estate which means the path is inaccessible. Instead, turn left through the gap just before the path is closed and follow the path up the hill and around the diversion, you’ll rejoin the track at the bottom of the hill.