Road · United Kingdom
Melton Mowbray – Spalding
- 118 km
- 427 m
- Hard
- Paved
Elevation profile
- 427 m
- 118 km
Route overview
Cyclists comfortable with 118 km rides and moderate climbing on mixed surfaces.
118 km loop from Melton Mowbray to Spalding in England with 569 m climbing on mixed paved and unpaved roads.
Starting from Melton Mowbray near Birch's Little Pie & Cake Shop, the route heads northeast passing through villages including Burton Lazars, Little Dalby, and Whissendine by 8 km. Climbing begins around 13.3 km on a 1.8 km section gaining 41 m with an average gradient of 2.3%. The highest point is 144 m at 9.7 km. From there it continues through Cottesmore, Greetham, and Stretton towards Clipsham at 24.2 km. Between 24.2 km and 38.4 km there is a 14.2 km stretch without cafés, shops, or water. Passing through Carlby, Essendine, Braceborough, and Baston, the route reaches Spalding at 59.6 km where a bakery, supermarket, bike shop, and toilets can be found close to the route. The return leg passes Pode Hole, Bourne, and Castle Bytham, with additional cafés, pubs, and shops at various points, finishing back in Melton Mowbray. The route is mainly on quiet streets (52%) and minor roads (30%), with 86% paved surfaces and some gravel/unpaved sections (9%). It includes 4.4 km on main roads without cycle lanes and 21.8 km on roads with speed limits of 80 km/h or more. The longest named road ridden is Sawgate Road for 3.4 km. The overall profile is mostly flat with gentle climbing, suitable for steady riding.
Highlights
- Climb between 13 and 15 km with 2.3% average gradient
- High point at 144 m near 9.7 km
- Spalding town at 59.6 km with shops and cafés
- Route passes through Bourne and Castle Bytham
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | Length | Gain | Average | Max | Top |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | 13.3 km | 1.8 km | 41 m | 2.3 % | 4.2 % | 143 m |
What this ride is like
- Roads
- 52% quiet street · 30% minor road · 10% path · 4% track
- Main roads
- 4.4 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 21.8 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- Sawgate Road (3 km)
- Surface
- 86% paved · 9% gravel or unpaved
- Gradient
- 9% climbing · 9% descending · 83% flat
Along the way
Food, water and shops
- 0.7 kmBirch's Little Pie & Cake Shop · bakery · 90 m off route
- 8 kmLittle Spice Box · café · 50 m off route
- 8 kmMace · convenience store · 50 m off route
- 16 kmCottesmore Post Office and General Stores · convenience store · 80 m off route
- 16.2 kmColin Easson Motors · petrol station · 90 m off route
- 21.7 kmHambleton Bakery · bakery · 80 m off route
- 42 kmBaston Post Office & General Stores · convenience store · 110 m off route
- 59.5 kmSofia Bakery · bakery · on the route
- 59.7 kmLidl · supermarket · 90 m off route
- 59.7 kmSainsbury's Petrol Station · petrol station · 280 m off route
- 59.7 kmBoots · pharmacy · 180 m off route
- 60.1 kmGibbons · bike shop · 60 m off route
- 76.9 kmHeron Foods · supermarket · 70 m off route
- 76.9 kmToilets · 60 m off route
- 91 kmBythams Community Shop · café · 80 m off route
- 91.4 kmDrinking water · 80 m off route
- 97.9 kmSouth Witham Village Shop · supermarket · 70 m off route
- 105.8 kmThe Berkeley Arms · pub · on the route
Need to bail out?
- 59.7 km — Spalding (station), 190 m off route
- 111.3 km — Central Station (station), 1.4 km off route
Worth a stop
- 7.5 km — Whissendine Windmill (attraction)
- 77.1 km — Bourne Castle (castle)
- 91.2 km — Castle Mound (castle)
At the start and finish
- Birch's Little Pie & Cake Shop · bakery · 610 m
Practical information
- Paved
- Loop
- 4½–6½ hours riding
- August
- Jun to Sep — daily highs of 18–21 °C in those months
Know before you go
- 14.2 km without café, shop or water between 24.2 and 38.4 km
- 4.4 km on main roads without cycle lane
- 21.8 km on roads with posted limits of 80 km/h or more
- 9% gravel or unpaved surfaces
