Sometimes the BCQ throws up a checkpoint (or two in this case) that fits in with something else you’re doing and this was to be one of those days.
Whilst travelling to relatives in Lincolnshire where I was to do a long days ride to visit a checkpoint, I realised my car journey passed almost directly through the middle of two checkpoints on the way – the ones at Stamford and Rutland Water, and having looked at the map and planned a route I realised that this could be something that I could easily do en-route. So, with a loaded car I set off early from home and duly arrived in Stamford by mid-morning ready for my ride.
From Stamford, my route took me out on the A6121 which was a little busier than I would have liked, but the option for roads that got me over the A1(m) were fairly limited, fortunately the run in to Ketton where I was to leave the ‘A’ road passed without incident and it was nice to get on to the quiet roads where I could mentally relax a bit and take in the pleasant surroundings.
Heading directly now toward Rutland Water my route took me around the outskirts of the now ex-RAF airbase at North Luffenham and onto the road the generally followed the edge of Rutland Water to my right and then on to the small village of Manton where I opted to stop at the local pub (surprise) for lunch, and with the day warming up into what was to be the hottest day of the year a pint of real ale was very welcome, even if I hadn’t visited a checkpoint as yet!
From Manton I had another short stretch along an ‘A’ road before turning off toward the small settlement of Egleton and the first checkpoint. With only a brief stop for a couple of pictures I got back on the road as I wanted to get to the other side of Rutland Water to spend some time at the Visitor Centre before getting back to Stamford. And after another short and uneventful stretch along the A606 I was there.
After a pleasant hour or so exploring the Visitor Centre and seeing some of the brilliant wildlife and attractions that Rutland is home to it was (reluctantly) time to crack on as I still need to get back to Stamford to the second checkpoint and then drive another hour or so further on to relatives.
The trip back from Rutland to Stamford was again mostly along ‘A’ roads, albeit with cycle paths, which made it relatively boring, but uneventful and it was back in to Stamford and the last check point of the day which I’d inadvertently ridden past on the way out without even realising it!
Pictures done, time to re-load the bicycle on to the car and head more north where the next day was planned to be a much longer day…….
Miles Cycled – 25
Checkpoints Visited – 2
Total Miles Cycled – 1179
Total Checkpoints Visited – 72
Click here to download a gpx file for this ride
