Road · United Kingdom
Sudbrooke – Metheringham
A flat 66 km road cycling loop from Sudbrooke, England through Cherry Willingham, North Greetwell and Potterhanworth, with 141 m of climbing. There is a 24 km stretch without a café, shop or water (km 2–26).
At a glance
- Best for
- Flat, steady riding
- Distance
- 66.1 km
- Elevation gain
- 141 m
- Riding time
- 2½–3 hours
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Some main roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 24 km
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start and finish
- Sudbrooke
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 141 m
- 66 km
Route description
- Sudbrooke
- Cherry Willingham
- North Greetwell
- Potterhanworth
- Potterhanworth Booths
- Short Ferry
- Washingborough
- Fiskerton
- Reepham
- Sudbrooke
Starting and finishing in Sudbrooke, this 66.1 km loop route passes through several villages including Cherry Willingham (5.2 km), Nocton (26.1 km), Bardney (35.6 km), and Reepham (59.9 km). The highest point on the ride is at 64 m near 14.7 km, with the lowest point at 0 m near 33.9 km. The route features a short but steady climb from 9.4 to 11.1 km gaining 46 m at an average gradient of 2.8% with a maximum of 5.3%. The route profile is largely flat with 92% of the distance on flat terrain and only 3% climbing.
The road surface is predominantly paved (98%) with a small 1% gravel or unpaved section. The route uses a mix of road types: 48% minor roads, 20% main roads, 12% paths, and 11% cycle paths. There is 13 km on main roads, including 14.1 km on main roads without cycle lanes. The longest roads named include Bloxholm Lane (5.5 km) and Short Ferry Road (4.8 km). Food and drink options are available near Sudbrooke (Bottle & Glass pub), Cherry Willingham, Bardney, and other points along the route, but there is a 24 km section without a café, shop, or water from 1.9 km to 25.9 km.
Bike shops, petrol stations, water points, and toilets are not mentioned. Points worth stopping for include the archaeological site King's Hill near 36.9 km and Five Mile End viewpoint near 55.9 km. The route includes some stretches on roads with speed limits of 80 km/h or more for 28.2 km.
Highlights
- Climb from 9.4 km for 1.7 km at 2.8% average
- Archaeological site King's Hill near 36.9 km
- Five Mile End viewpoint near 55.9 km
- Route passes through Bardney and Reepham
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 9.4 km | 1.7 km · 46 m · 2.8 % · max 5.3 % | 48 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Expect stretches on main roads without a cycle lane (14.1 km in all) between quieter sections.
- Roads
- 48% minor road · 20% main road · 12% path · 11% cycle path · 9% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 14.1 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 28.2 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Cycle paths
- 8.9 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Main roads used
- Bloxholm Lane (6 km), Short Ferry Road (5 km), Water Rail Way (4 km), Branston Causeway (4 km)
- Surface
- Paved: 98% of the route is mapped as paved, 1% as unpaved.
- Gradient
- 3% climbing · 5% descending · 92% flat
- Steep sections
- 0.5 km over 5%
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 24 km, from km 2 to 26. Along the route: 20 cafés and restaurants and 6 shops.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 1.1 kmConvenience store · 230 m off route
- 1.9 kmCherry Tree Cafe · café · 80 m off route
- 5.1 kmLincolnshire Co-op Pharmacy · pharmacy · 610 m off route
- 28 kmThe Chequers · pub · 30 m off route
- 34.8 kmBardney Heritage Centre · café · 80 m off route
- 35.7 kmLincolnshire Co-op · supermarket · 40 m off route
- 41.3 kmTyrwhitt Arms · pub · 50 m off route
- 49.8 kmSainsbury's · supermarket · on the route
- 50.7 kmLincolnshire Co-op Pharmacy · pharmacy · 260 m off route
- 51.9 kmBy The Beck Coffee & Gift Shop · café · on the route
- 59.7 kmFox & Hounds · pub · on the route
- 59.8 kmReepham Village Store And Post Office · convenience store · 50 m off route
- 65 kmBottle & Glass · pub · 150 m off route
Worth a stop
- 36.9 km — King's Hill (archaeological site)
- 55.9 km — Five Mile End (viewpoint)
Start and access
At the start and finish
- Food and coffee
- Bottle & Glass (530 m)
Know before you go
- 24 km without café, shop or water from 1.9 km to 25.9 km
- 14.1 km on main roads without cycle lane
- 28.2 km on fast roads (80 km/h+)
- 0.5 km climb over 5% gradient starting at 9.4 km
