Road · United Kingdom
Sudbrooke – Thimbleby
A flat 61 km road cycling loop from Sudbrooke, England through Reepham, Short Ferry and Minting, with 158 m of climbing. There is a 28 km stretch without a café, shop or water (km 13–41).
At a glance
- Best for
- Flat, steady riding
- Distance
- 61.1 km
- Elevation gain
- 158 m
- Riding time
- 2½–3½ hours
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Mostly minor roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 28 km
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start and finish
- Sudbrooke
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 158 m
- 61 km
Route description
- Sudbrooke
- Reepham
- Short Ferry
- Minting
- Sotby
- South Willingham
- East Torrington
- Holton
- Reasby
- Sudbrooke
This 61.1 km loop starts and finishes in Sudbrooke, passing through villages including Reepham at 5.7 km, Fiskerton at 8.3 km, Short Ferry at 12.8 km, and ends back at Sudbrooke via Scothern at 60.1 km. The road surface is 99% paved, mainly on minor roads (86%) with some main roads (6%) and short stretches of cycle lane and quiet streets.
The route profile is mostly flat (88% flat), with some gentle climbing (7%) and descending (6%), reaching a high point of 100 m at 41.2 km near Hainton. The longest descent is 2.6 km starting at 42.3 km. Gradients over 5% occur only on 0.1 km and the steepest 500 m segment is 3.2% near 39.8 km. Named roads include Station Road (5.1 km) and Short Ferry Road (4.7 km).
Food and refreshment points are located early or late in the ride, including Cherry Tree Cafe near 2.2 km, Carpenters Arms pub at 8.3 km, Tyrwhitt Arms pub at 12.9 km, and The Heneage Arms pub at 41.2 km. The longest stretch without café, shop, or water is 28.3 km from 12.9 km to 41.2 km. There are no water or toilet facilities directly on route. Notable stops nearby include Minting Priory ruins at 24 km and Beacon Hill peak at 34.6 km.
Highlights
- Beacon Hill peak near 34.6 km
- Minting Priory ruins near 24 km
- Longest stretch without café or shop 28.3 km
- The Heneage Arms pub at 41.2 km
Along the route
Places passed
Traffic, surface and gradient
Mostly minor roads and streets on the map; 4.1 km is on main roads without a cycle lane.
- Roads
- 86% minor road · 6% main road · 3% quiet street · 1% cycle path · 4% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 4.1 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 14.7 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Cycle paths
- 1.7 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Main roads used
- Station Road (5 km), Short Ferry Road (5 km), Hainton Lane (4 km), Bardney Road (3 km)
- Surface
- Paved: 99% of the route is mapped as paved, 1% as unpaved.
- Gradient
- 7% climbing · 6% descending · 88% flat
- Longest descent
- 2.6 km from 42.3 km, dropping 47 m
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 28 km, from km 13 to 41. Along the route: 7 cafés and restaurants and 2 shops.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 2.2 kmCherry Tree Cafe · café · 70 m off route
- 5 kmLincolnshire Co-op Pharmacy · pharmacy · 680 m off route
- 5.7 kmReepham Village Store And Post Office · convenience store · 40 m off route
- 8.3 kmCarpenters Arms · pub · 100 m off route
- 12.9 kmTyrwhitt Arms · pub · 40 m off route
- 41.2 kmThe Heneage Arms · pub · 60 m off route
- 51 kmWickenby Cafe · café · 240 m off route
- 60.1 kmBottle & Glass · pub · on the route
Worth a stop
- 9.3 km — Five Mile End (viewpoint)
- 24 km — Minting Priory (ruins)
- 34.6 km — Beacon Hill (peak)
Start and access
At the start and finish
- Food and coffee
- Bottle & Glass (230 m)
Know before you go
- 28.3 km longest stretch without café, shop or water from km 12.9 to 41.2
- 4.1 km on main roads without cycle lane
- 14.7 km on roads with posted limits of 80 km/h or more