The best cycling routes around Wickenby Wood

There are over 70 touring cycling routes available around Wickenby Wood, offering a wide range of options for exploring the area's ancient woodlands and gently undulating terrain.

Yes, Wickenby Wood offers 23 easy touring cycling routes, many of which follow quiet country roads through villages. These are ideal for beginners or families looking for a relaxed ride. An example is the The King's Head, Tealby – Tealby Beck Ford loop from Market Rasen, which is 22.8 km (14.2 miles) long and takes about 1 hour 38 minutes.

Touring cyclists will experience the unique ancient small-leaved lime woodlands, part of the Lincolnshire Limewoods National Nature Reserve. The routes offer scenic views of forestry land and the escarpment of the Lincolnshire Wolds, with diverse trees like willow, oak, ash, and silver birch. In spring, the woodland floor is carpeted with wood anemones, primroses, and bluebells.

Many of the touring cycling routes around Wickenby Wood are circular, allowing you to start and end at the same point. For instance, the Scothern Village loop from Stainton by Langworth CP is an easy 25 km (15.5 miles) circular route that takes about 1 hour 25 minutes.

The area is rich in history. You can visit the historic Wickenby Airfield, which has a café and a museum dedicated to its WWII past. The King's Head in Tealby, reputed to be Lincolnshire's oldest thatched-roof pub, is another notable stop. Routes also pass through historically significant villages like Faldingworth and Buslingthorpe, with their Saxon origins and medieval earthworks, and the medieval Barlings Abbey Ruins are within the broader Limewoods area.

The spring and summer months are particularly beautiful for touring cycling in Wickenby Wood, when the woodland floor is vibrant with seasonal flowers like wood anemones, primroses, and bluebells. The gently undulating terrain is enjoyable year-round, but conditions are generally most pleasant outside of winter.

The komoot community highly rates touring cycling in Wickenby Wood, with an average score of 4.25 stars from over 13 reviews. Cyclists often praise the quiet country roads, the scenic views of the Lincolnshire Wolds, and the peaceful atmosphere of the ancient woodlands.

Yes, for more experienced riders, there are longer and more challenging routes. The Scothern Village – Lincoln Cathedral loop from Market Rasen is a moderate 58.9 km (36.6 miles) route, taking approximately 3 hours 25 minutes, offering a substantial ride through varied landscapes.

Yes, Wickenby Wood and the surrounding Lincolnshire Limewoods are rich in wildlife. Cyclists often spot deer and Lincolnshire Longwool sheep along the routes. The diverse habitats also support a variety of birds and insects, especially within the ancient woodlands.

Yes, you'll find options for refreshments. The Wickenby Airfield features a café, offering a historical stop with food and drink. Additionally, the historic King's Head pub in Tealby is a popular spot for a refreshing drink and a meal, often incorporated into routes like the The King's Head, Tealby – Tealby Beck Ford loop from Market Rasen.

Wickenby Wood offers a range of difficulty levels. There are 23 easy routes, 39 moderate routes, and 8 difficult routes. This variety ensures that both casual riders and those seeking a challenge can find suitable options. The terrain is generally gently undulating rather than steeply hilly.

The 'Market Rasen to Wickenby Cycle Route' is well-known for traversing through eleven villages, primarily on quiet country roads with light traffic. This route offers a great way to experience the local village life and historical charm of the area.