Road · United Kingdom
Sudbrooke – Thimbleby
A flat 75 km road cycling loop from Scothern, England through Fiskerton, Thimbleby and Thornton, with 102 m of climbing. There is a 22 km stretch without a café, shop or water (km 33–55).
At a glance
- Best for
- Flat, steady riding
- Distance
- 75 km
- Elevation gain
- 102 m
- Riding time
- 2–2½ hours
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Some main roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 22 km
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start and finish
- Scothern
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 102 m
- 75 km
Route description
- Scothern
- Fiskerton
- Thimbleby
- Thornton
- New Roughton
- Reeds Beck
- Bucknall
- Tupholme
- Reepham
- Scothern
This 75 km loop starts and finishes in Scothern, passing through Fiskerton at 8.6 km and Short Ferry at 13 km before reaching Thimbleby at 32.4 km. The highest point is near Langton Hill at 57 m around 32.8 km. After Thimbleby, it continues through Thornton, Martin, New Roughton, and Roughton before passing Reeds Beck and Horsington. Bardney appears at 55.3 km followed by Reepham at 68.2 km and Sudbrooke close to the end at 71.8 km.
The route is mostly flat with 97% flat terrain, very gentle climbing at 3%, and a maximum gradient of 2.3% over 500 m near 32.3 km. The surface is mainly paved (96%), with some gravel or unpaved sections (3%). The roads are mostly minor roads (61%) and main roads (25%), including a 12.6 km ride along the B1190. Around 19.1 km of main roads lack cycle lanes, and 50.1 km are on roads with speed limits of 80 km/h or more. There are 3.3 km of cycle paths or lanes.
Food and drink options include pubs such as Bottle & Glass at the start and finish, Carpenters Arms at 8.6 km, and The Old Angel at 55.4 km. Shops are found at Bardney and Reepham. Between 33.1 km and 55.4 km there is a 22.3 km stretch without cafés, shops, or water. Worth stopping points nearby include Wellington Monument at 43 km, King's Hill archaeological site at 56.6 km, and Five Mile End viewpoint at 64.6 km.
Highlights
- Langton Hill near 33 km (57 m high)
- Thimbleby at 32.4 km
- Wellington Monument near 43 km
- Five Mile End viewpoint near 65 km
Along the route
Places passed
Traffic, surface and gradient
Expect stretches on main roads without a cycle lane (19.1 km in all) between quieter sections.
- Roads
- 62% minor road · 25% main road · 3% quiet street · 3% path · 7% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 19.1 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 51.2 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Cycle paths
- 3.2 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Main roads used
- Short Ferry Road (9 km), Horncastle Road (9 km), Bardney Road (8 km), Wragby Road (4 km)
- Surface
- Paved: 97% of the route is mapped as paved, 2% as unpaved.
- Gradient
- 2% climbing · 2% descending · 97% flat
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 22 km, from km 33 to 55. Along the route: 9 cafés and restaurants and 3 shops.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 0.1 kmBottle & Glass · pub · on the route
- 5.3 kmLincolnshire Co-op Pharmacy · pharmacy · 690 m off route
- 8.6 kmCarpenters Arms · pub · 100 m off route
- 13.2 kmTyrwhitt Arms · pub · 40 m off route
- 18.7 kmBlack Horse · pub · 40 m off route
- 33.1 kmThe Durham Ox · pub · on the route
- 55.4 kmThe Old Angel · pub · 40 m off route
- 55.4 kmLincolnshire Co-op · supermarket · 50 m off route
- 68.2 kmReepham Village Store And Post Office · convenience store · on the route
- 71 kmCherry Tree Cafe · café · 80 m off route
Worth a stop
- 43 km — Wellington Monument (monument)
- 56.6 km — King's Hill (archaeological site)
- 64.6 km — Five Mile End (viewpoint)
Start and access
At the start and finish
- Food and coffee
- Bottle & Glass (140 m)
Know before you go
- 22.3 km with no café, shop or water from km 33.1 to 55.4
- 19.1 km on main roads without a cycle lane
- 50.1 km on roads with 80 km/h or higher speed limit
- 3% unpaved or gravel surface
