On the forthcoming Stockport Community Cycling Club weekend, there will be two cycle rides available on the Sunday. The Leicester Short Ride, and the Leicester Long ride which Andy S and I will be leading. On the recce weekend, we took the opportunity to test the long ride route out.

After leaving the University of Leicester we headed out towards Stoughton where picked up NCN Route 63. This took us past Leicester Airport.

The route took us through villages of King Norton, Gaulby and Illston on the Hill.

This first part of the ride is quite lumpy.

To the next village, Goadby, we climbed probably the sharpest hill. At the top, we decided to have a brief rest and recover before moving on.

Leaving Goadby took us on to NCN route 64.

A section of this forms the Gartree Trail.

We followed this to the village of Great Bowden, on the edge of Market Harborough.

Next, we joined NCN Route 6 and picked up the Market Harborough arm of the Grand Union canal.

A few miles further on we reached Foxton Locks.

Here we found the Foxton Locks Inn where we decided to test out the food offerings.

Having found the food tasty and enjoyable, we went for a brief look around.

Soon, it was time to move on and cycle up the side of the locks. These are the UK’s longest staircase flight.

Following the climb up the locks, there followed another climb, this one up to the village of Gumley.

We cycled alongside Saddington Reservoir.

And followed the Guthlaxton Trail for awhile.

Eventually, we reached Countesthorpe and then Blaby on the outskirt of Leicester.

Still following NCN Route 6 we picked up the Great Central Way as we entered Leicester. This path follows the line of the former Great Central Railway, which was once one of the most important main lines in Britain.

The last section of the ride saw us rejoin NCN Route 63 as we worked our way through the centre of Leicester. This included cycling through the University city centre campus.

Past Leicester Prison (no, it is not a castle!).

And through Victoria Park.

By the time we had finished we had cycled nearly 45 miles. Andy and I believe this is going to prove a thoroughly enjoyable ride for all who join us when on the club weekend.

You can view the Leicester Long Ride below: