Why not try this awesome Gravel Bike ride in the Midlands?

In this episode I’m taking you along on a superb gravel bike ride in the East Midlands – complete with a guide from me and a GPX link below!

#gravelbike #cycling #bikelife #trailriding

We are setting off from Hicks Lodge in Moira, Leicestershire and heading towards Warwickshire and Pooley Country park, before going into south Derbyshire and back to Hicks – it’s a cracking loop and well worth an explore

It has a bit of everything including green lanes and a bit of hike a bike!

Here’s a link to the GPX:

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/386204174

Like and subscribe to @Downhillsmoothtarmac for all things bikes

Thanks to @Redshiftsports for supplying parts to some of my builds!

Dave and Martin both have channels – @davedoesbikes and @lifesbeengoodtomesofar4040

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comes to off-road cycling in the Midlands, particularly the East Midlands. Most routes and guides on YouTube based around the Peak District, and for good reason. It’s excellent. But there are other routes. [Music] Well, good morning folks and welcome to a cloudy episode of Downhill Smooth Tarmac. You join me here outside Hicks Lodge in Moira, which is in northwest Leicester, which is sort of the area the downhill smooth tarmac likes to hang out. And today I’m going to take you on an off-road ride with a route included of 40 to 45 miles out towards Warikshire and show you just how you can have a great adventure from this part of the Midlands where the trails are going to be quieter and just a little different. Going to go over towards a place called Pulley Pworth and out around that way. I’m going to include a GPX so you can have a go at this route yourself. And it starts and ends here at Hicks Lodge where there’s ample parking, toilets, and an awesome cafe that I could be a bit biased about because I used to work in the cycle center here years ago. But the coffee is immense, the cakes are great, and there’ll be a warm welcome for you. What more do you want? 40 mi, mostly off-road, bit of climbing, bit of flat, some nice single track. It’s got a bit of everything. And it might be a route maybe you haven’t considered even if you’re local to this area. So, let’s see the trails. Okay, so let’s get this trail rolling. So, personally, I picked Hicks Lodge cuz this is where we tend to meet, but I also thought if we were throwing a route out your way, and this would be a place where viewers could park for the day. And there’s also some pretty mild but fun trails to ride here if you want to add a couple of extra miles on. So yeah, we’re going to head out from Hicks Lodge out towards Willsley. So you’ll see on the route it goes around uh the side of the lake closest to the trail center itself. Okay. So, when you come out of Hicks Lodge, you’re going to descend straight across to the car park of the old Oakthorp Cury. So, you’re going to ride through here, and this is going to be really interesting, actually, if you like your history and that sort of thing, cuz this is going to take you straight past what was the pit head. Um, here in Oakthorp, well, Woolsley I’d call this, but they call it Oakthorp. [Applause] So, you go, this is where the pitad used to be. You see the markers and you’re going to carry on follow the trail. So after short bit of road work, you’re going to come off onto the cycle way the old railway line towards Misham. This bit of trail plays quite a big part in a lot of our routes around here. Now once the double track of the cycle way runs out, you go straight across the road following the railway line. We’re going to go around the back of Mishium now towards uh the Red Banks brick factory. We’re going to follow the trail. It’s going to be some nice single track through here. [Applause] [Applause] Oh yes. Morning. Oh, no rush. Bless you. There’s a couple more behind me. That’s really kind. Thank you. Remember, be nice. Share the trail. Now, while we’re on that subject, I will admit I’m not sure what some of these parts of this trailer designated are cuz there’s not a sign in sight. Most of it seems to be okay and fair game and very pretty. Okay, so the next part of the trail after Mishum is following the route of the old Ashb Canal. Now, this is a little gated, so there’ll be a few little gates to get through. Nothing major. Uh, you can cut them out if you go on the road instead. Uh, but for me, it’s so pretty down here at this time of year. It’s worth a little bit of a trip through the gates and whatnot. So, there’s nothing too taxing. There you go. Look. And what you’re going to find yourself doing if you ride this on the weekend is going through the bottom of the legendary raml stacked counterfeit good fililled I’m joking maybe Mishium car boot used to come and buy the odd vintage bike from sellers here anyone that’s clearing out the bridge. Absolute emporium of tatan raml, all the good stuff. Got to love a car boot sail. Okay, now this is a cool part of the route. Basically now riding on the bottom of what was the Ashb Canal. How cool is that? Now, this is dry and lumpy even at this time of year. Uh, probably best to avoid this in winter. You can see a lot of horses use it, so it gets chewed up quite a lot, especially when it’s soft. It must be great for them. It’s just cool cuz you can just see a bridge in front of you where the canal comes live again. Cool, eh? And thankfully after that lumpy stuff, we got some lovely Ashby Canal network. And this is the first of a couple of bits of canal we’re going to be following all the way down to Oh, bugger, I’ve forgotten. So, we’re going to be we’re going to be following this stretch of canal for a while now. Unfortunately, it’s not all surface like this. It’s going to be a bit of a bone shaker. One thing you might have noticed is the size of tire I’m running today. I’m running Genesis Vagabon with 2.3 tires. And one of the main reasons for this is cuz of the canal sections cuz they just get so bone shakingly bumpy at this time of year. So this is Snarston Warf, isn’t it? This one is Snarf. Yeah. So this is SN Warf. Is this a cafe here, isn’t there? There is. I don’t know. Let’s have a look. Yeah. Like a boat cafe. So there’s a little Boers cafe here should you need supplies this early on in the ride. So, we’re coming up towards the village of Sn next. Pretty sure we have to leave the canal here and go and rejoin it on the other side. Yeah, we did. Oh, so you rejoin the canal at the Globe in Snenon, the back of the car park. And it’s a mixed bag the terrain down here, but it is pretty, but you just have to be careful. There’s a couple of sections that are a bit off camber and a bit narrow towards the water. We don’t want to be going in. Okay. So, you’re going to be leaving the canal at Congen and heading towards uh Gopsel on the road where there’s going to be a bit of trail and then we’re going to get our first proper tester for this ride today. Morning. Cheers, mate. So, after leaving Gopsaw, you have to go on to the Ashby road to cross. Here’s a busy road. This you’re only on it for a short section. Make sure signaling plenty of time for the turn. can be a busy one. Now, this piece of trail technically is a road. It’s not even a byway. It’s technically a road. So, I’m not saying you’re going to meet Mrs. Jones from number 23 in airport fiesta, but you might meet four down here. Okay, now going to come off this busy road and onto what is known as Salt Street. And someone’s been fly tipping. Marvelous. Flipping heck. What a mess. So, Salt Street is really popular as you can see with off-road vehicles cuz it has been a it was a byway. I think it still is a byway. So, if you’re looking somewhere to shake your trail skills, this is going to be it. And there’s plenty of it to ride. We got this for a mile and a half. In fact, let’s take a good look at it. [Music] [Music] [Music] [Applause] And we’re on the border now, crossing the M42 uh border between Leicester and Warikshire. [Applause] As you’ve seen, this trail goes on for a good little while, but it is well used by off-road vehicles. So, it is a challenge, especially on a gravel bike more than uh a mountain bike, for example. Uh I’m on the Vagabond, so I got 2.3 in tires and good relaxed geometry. I’ve done this on slicks and it’s doable. It’s just not as enjoyable. We’ll be coming off in a sec. Oh ow. So after Salt Street, you got the chance to use a bit of trail here. You can either pull a salt street to the end or you can take our route which drops down through the field from this ruted dry trail. I mean the views here are absolutely stunning. I really hope you can see them on the camera. Just absolutely beautiful. Beautiful Dece really pretty at this time of year as well. It’s not all about the rides, it’s about the views, too, which is one thing anything any ride in the Peak District has in abundance is stunning views. So, we got to compete a little bit. Okay, so there is a section after that descent, after Salt Street, whichever way you slice it, will be possibly a bit of hiker bike. It’s not far. It’s just going to help get us over towards Newton Reges without using the road. When it comes to these kind of things, I don’t mind a little hiker bike every now and then, especially not if it just helps the route be optimized for less traffic. There’s times when this is solid enough to ride, but today just happens to have just been plowed, so we’re hiker biking. It’s up to you. You can go around on the road if you want. So after that little bit of hiker bike, we’re back on some established trail now. And this is going to take us down into Newton Regis and then another short road section. And we’re on to a stoning bit of bridal way. So after Newton Reges Garden Center, you’re going to take a left on Pworth Lane. I’m going to do a short climb up here. [Music] Find behind the trail. [Applause] Oh, it’s ripping me ankles apart. This is a great piece of trail. Nice bit of single track right away. Nice and smooth. Little overgrown. [Applause] I’m actually going to put you another route option up uh as well as the route we’re doing today. And that one joins here. So just down the trail a bit. So if we take the other route, it joins at this junction here and comes from the other direction and finishes up down this chalky mess. Beautiful. [Applause] So once you arrive in Psworth, follow the route onto the canal and it’s nearly time for a stop at Poly Country Park, which is where we choose to stop. Oh yeah. Whatever you do, don’t miss the turning for the bridge and getting the Ah. You did say to go. There’s not there’s no time. So, as I was saying, don’t miss the turning of the bridge and being in a low gear and all will be well. So, don’t miss this cuz this is going to take you right to the steps of the cafe. If you miss the canal section, you will have to climb on the road and it’s a little steep. And this is the one and only place we recommend for the stop. This is the pool pit stop and this place is blooming awesome. Dan out smooth tarmac is a big supporter. The only place to stop. Okay, I’m sure you’re enjoying the ride, enjoying the route, and enjoying us hitting those dry and dusty trails. If you are, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and comment. It really, really helps me. Well, the channel, you know. Okay, so after bit of a fill up at Pulley Pit Stop, we’re going to take the trail next to the colorful wheel and get back on the trails. The next place we’re heading for is Statfold. We got lots of nice trail ahead of us now. [Applause] Right. Next part of the route, you’re going to come out of Alco left. Left. We’re going to take a left, left towards Statold. We’re going to have a real treat of the trail. Now, [Applause] so this piece of trail is a bit of a highlight. Very pretty piece of single track trail. Beautiful. [Applause] Okay, so after stat fold, you’re going to want to look for Clifton Lane. And this is where if you are feeling it a bit and you want to cut a few miles out, you can cut out my section with a trig point by following the road round instead of taking the bridal way ahead of us here. You take that bridal away, you’re in for the longer loop. So after that bit of bridal way, we’re going to head up size coat lane and you’re going to be looking for a right turn. And this right turn is going to take you back on the bridal way up to the trig point where you’re going to get some spectacularly pretty views on a nice day. Lovely spot. Then it’s on to Cameron’s corner and back towards Nether Seal. Here it is. This is us. Right. Right. So you’re going to do a right turn off size cut. Look out for the bridal away sign. This one’s well pointed out and through the gate. So, as well as giving you nice views, this trail’s got a nice little bit of a climb element to it. It is classed as one of the two climbs of the day. It’s not too taxing. It’s just good and spinny. [Applause] [Music] [Music] Oh, there you go. So, that’s the tree point. And as you can see by the drone footage, is all worthy of a stop on a nice day. It is very pretty along here. Next stop for us is back on Clifton Lane and what we like to call Cameron Corner cuz it’s where he broke my bike. Oh yeah. Just come to the end of this bit of bridal way. I’m going to cross straight over Clifton Lane again. And this is where you Cameron totally mullled my bike. [Applause] Now this for me is one of the highlights of the entire ride. It’s just a big long straight stretch of bridalway that just seems to capture so many different sections. There’s a wooded section here. Then you onto gravel through some fields. It’s just lovely. And I’m a machine surf after many, many years of riding through round here. I’ve only just found out about it. Been planning this route. It’s lovely. And I dare say this will probably ride all year round. Plenty of trees to help it drain. Just beautiful. Look at that. [Applause] Looking good. Chops. [Applause] [Applause] Okay, after that great big long straight line of trail, we’ll soon be coming out on the road to Thorp Constantine. We’re going to be heading towards uh Clifton Campville and Nether Seal. The ride is coming towards an end. I mean, this bridal light is so well hidden. Wouldn’t even know this was here from the other end. Cycle past here on the road so many times and never spotted this gate. Here we are. Bit of road work now. Okay. Okay. So once you go through Constantine Clifton Campville, you’re going to take Netherill Road and you’re looking for a right turn just after a bridge and we’re going to get another really nice bit of mixed trail. There’s even some sandy sections in this bit. At this point, you’re going to be well over 30 mi in. Your ride is going to be coming to something of an end. So here’s the bridge. I’m going to be taking a right turn through the gate here. This one there is a brideway sign, but it’s hard to find. [Applause] Oh, everything’s been harvested. Okay, so this next piece of trail here follows the river me all the way into Nether Seal. Watch this sharp left here and carry straight on. I’m not going to even know where that goes. So yeah, this piece of trail is going to take you all the way into Nether Seal. It’s going to follow the river me. If you need supplies, there’s great little corner shop in Nether Seal if it’s open. All right, we’ll go straight on. Route would actually go to the right. We’ll go straight on. Okay, so there we go. Nice gravel route, lots of variety, lots of bridal ways, a little bit of climbing, and some insanely good views. Really nice, eh? Before I sign off, I’m going to throw it back to you, though. Have you guys got a route that you want me to try? Me and the meandering gravel crew quite happy to give roots in the Midlands a go on your recommendation. Now I know the likes of Gravelton. You’ve seen us do their roots. They’re really good. There must be more. Let’s bring them all together here at Downhill Smooth Tarmac for Midlands Gravel Riders and try and draw some folks in to enjoy our trails. And with that, I’m going to sign off. Say hope your next ride is downhill smooth tarmac. Keep us spinning. Keep your rubber on the road, your knobblies out on that trail. Be safe out there. Look out for one another. Be part of the cycling community. Be a good human being first and an even better cyclist second. As I said before, if you get a minute, please like and subscribe. Please comment. Did you enjoy the route? Have you got any recommendations? Don’t let any of that though, honestly, don’t let any of that get in the way of getting out and riding your bike. Till next time, it’s been Downhill Smooth Tarmac. Thank you for watching. [Music]