Welland Valley CC Spring 100k Gravel Ride

Adrian Killworth writes –

When I scheduled my knee replacement for early January I thought there was no way that I’d be able to do the spring gravel ride. I thought the best I could hope for was to drive part way and just ride the far end of the route. But I worked hard did all the physio and got out walking as soon as I could and then got on the bike as soon as I was able and I’m amazed to get to this point.

Richard Heald put a great route together inspired by a previous spring gravel ride by the waterways of Leicester and a previous midsummer off-road 100 miler which headed through Leicester to Charnwood.

The day dawned bright but cold, so it was a job to know what to wear as it promised to be warm by the afternoon.

We headed out on a familiar route – canal towpath to Debdale Wharf and then the track to Smeeton Westerby and Fleckney before picking up the bridleway to Countesthorpe and heading round Blaby to pick up the canal once again into Leicester. We’re always amazed how rural it seems until you’re right behind the football stadium.

We then headed west across Leicester via cycle paths and quiet suburbs, eventually skirting around the western edge of the city to Anstey and picked up the bridleway around the southern edge of Cropston Reservoir with fantastic view across Bradgate Park. Next stop Cossington for the cafe stop at Goscote Nursery – which is recommended if you’re out that way. Then it was back through Leicester via the quiet string of riverside parks – again hard to believe that you’re in a big city – and eventually reprising my university cyclo-commute across Vicky Park.

Then we cut through to Evington, Stoughton and Little Stretton before heading back in the footsteps of Roman soldiers on the Via Devena – the largely gravel Gartree Road. We were on the home stretch now via the field road to Thorpe Langton. It was then a chase to the pub for some much needed vitamin B recovery drinks – hydration is very important.

Yes I was tired afterwards – and my new knee was a bit stiff, but I did it and it was one of the best days I’ve ever had on a bike!