Gotta catch em all
Frustrating isn’t it, we often find a great section that needs a deviation or road stretch, or perhaps it doesn’t really go anywhere. I leave it to you to figure out how you can weave these segments into your ride, after all that’s part of the fun.
1. Roxhill Manor loop: If you just like riding around in circles this is perfect. There are ways in and out via Moat farm or by the farm road from the Beancroft Rd junction
2. Top Farm: a fast and loose but not too steep farm track descends to Wootton Green. A muddy and horse trodden bridleway from the Roxhill loop gets you to the top.
3. Bromham river path: Fine gravel trail but it needs a bit of busy road to reach one end and has a maze of houses at the other. You can try link it to Kempston Mill along the river side, but nettles and brambles guard the way.
4. Marston to Kempston: Good ride, less than salubrious surroundings, close to home.
5. Hill Farm, Chicheley: Ride it north to south. It doesn’t really go anywhere but who cares.
6. Millbrook top section: The gravel drop by the golf course is steep, not for complete novices, shout out in case people are around the corner below. From there on it’s warp speed all the way to the road.
7. Aspley golf: Up and down across the golf course, unusual not to get shouted at, wear a helmet. Fun and fast either way.
8. North of Stagsden: A slightly adventurous trail as its a bit remote. It starts as gravel, gets a bit field edgy (still v. good in the dry), find the correct left turn for more gravel and then its a lumpy exit. Rewarding.
9. Clifton Reynes to Olney: A short gravel climb, thru a gate, a steep down on mud, then the paving bumps, just about ridable to the bridge. Good field trails to the church.
11. Ouse Valley Way: A nice section linking Emberton to Filgrave. In this direction the lumpy bits are up hill and out the way leading to a fast swoopy ride.
12. The brick line: An un-permissive path. Juxtaposed with other sections here, this is a great link up line that is not allowed, rather than a legal path sans connectivity. Seen kingfishers and barn owls down here.
13. Tyrells End: A bridleway that would also be a good line except that it goes through a stream. The stream can be skirted and ceased bottom brackets avoided by a short footpath.
14. Derelict Horsemoor Farm: A logical line and nice gravel but with a bit of field at the end.
15. Wood Lane: This one is quite far out. At the bottom main roads can be avoided by heading east on farm edges which are also a bit gravelly.
16. Horton to Ravensden: Is also far out, but combine it with riding in Salcey forest, and a ride back via Clifton Keynes for a mega trip. My late friend Alan showed me this ride.
Cranfield Cycling 