Cycle NK

‘A District where everyone is Inspired to Cycle’.

With quiet country lanes and picturesque villages it couldn’t be easier to explore North Kesteven on two wheels. Cycling has many benefits, not only for the cyclist’s health but for the wider quality of the environment in which we live, work and spend our leisure time, as well as for overall environmental sustainability. Cycling is also flexible, you don’t have to cycle at a fixed time, and it is something that you can do as an individual, with your friends and family, or as part of a cycling club. Cycling can be enjoyed as a hobby, purely for pleasure, or as a competitive sport or as a practical means of getting from A to B.

Finally, and notwithstanding all the positive health, wellbeing, and sustainability outcomes, we must not forget the simple fact that cycling is great fun. For all these excellent reasons we want North Kesteven to be a district where everyone is inspired to cycle.

Safety first

In 2016, 18,477 cyclists were injured in reported road accidents, including 3,499 who were killed or seriously injured – Source ROSPA.

Before setting out on your bike it's important to make sure you'll be safe when cycling.

Be a responsible Cyclist

On all routes – Please be courteous! Always cycle with respect for others, whether cyclists, pedestrians, people in wheelchairs, horse riders or drivers, and acknowledge those who give way to you.

On shared-use paths:

  • Give way to pedestrians: leave them plenty of room
  • Keep to your side of any dividing line and keep to the left when you meet other cyclists
  • Be prepared to slow down or stop if necessary
  • Don’t expect to cycle at high speeds
  • Be careful at junctions, bends and entrances
  • Remember many people are hard of hearing and visually impaired - don’t assume they can see or hear you
  • Carry a bell and use it - don’t surprise people
  • Give way where there are wheelchair users and horse riders

When cycling on roads:

  • Always follow the Highway Code
  • Be seen - most accidents to cyclists happen at junctions
  • Fit lights and use them in poor visibility
  • Always wear a helmet and conspicuous clothing
  • Keep your bike roadworthy
  • Do not cycle on pavements except where designated - pavements are for pedestrians
  • Use your bell - not all pedestrians can see you

In the countryside:

  • Always follow the Countryside Code
  • Respect other land management activities, farming or forestry and take litter home with you
  • Keep erosion to a minimum if off-road
  • Try to cycle or use public transport to travel to the start and finish of your ride
  • Match your speed to the surface and your skills

Thank you for cycling!

The Gov.uk website provides further advice on what to do to stay safe on the roads including following the Highway Code.

Cycling rights of way - Please be considerate of other public rights of way users and to care for the land and the needs of owners and occupiers. For further information, see the Countryside Code.

One pedal at a time

Take it slow and make sure your child has mastered each skill before moving on to the next. Give them plenty of time to practice by taking them outside to develop their balance skills. Over time, stand back and let them build their confidence.

Cycle Training

Bikeability will teach your children basic bike handling skills and how to cycle safely on the road. Research shows that 64% of children felt a lot more confident when cycling following a Level 2 Bikeability course. Check to see if your child can access free Bikeability sessions at school or book onto a private course. For more information, watch our Introduction to Bikeability video. 

Let go of the saddle

At this stage your child is likely to have gained confidence in their cycling ability and will want to cycle to school, to the shops or to visit friends. The difficult part is for you, the parent, to encourage them to do this. Cycling increases a child’s independence, improves their health and saves everyone (usually you) money.

Family time

One of the best ways to improve a child’s cycling confidence is through practice and having fun. They don’t need to do it alone. This summer, why not take the whole family out for a picnic, cycling there and back? You don’t need to go far and it’s your choice what route you take. Remember though, the best way to improve skills and confidence is to practice what you’ve been taught. So if you can incorporate an on-road section, then give it a go.

Be seen, be safe

An old tag line but still as relevant today. The meaning however has altered slightly. It’s not just about wearing high-visibility clothing or having reflectors on your bike, it’s also about cycling correctly. If your child has completed their Bikeability award they will tell you themselves about the primary and secondary road positions.

Bikeability

Lincolnshire County Council receives funding from the Department for Transport to deliver Bikeability to certain year groups in our local schools. This training is delivered by LCC’s partner Outspoken Training.

Bikeability is an enjoyable training course for all ages to develop cycling skills and confidence.

Bikeability is delivered across three levels:

  1. Off-road training focusing on basic bike handling and skills
  2. On-road training on local suburban and residential streets
  3. On-road training on more complicated roads addressing more complicated riding skills

In addition to Bikeability levels 1, 2, & 3 a range of Bikeability Plus modules are also offered including:

  • Bikeability Balance
  • Bikeability Learn To Ride

Should you wish to make a booking for your school you should contact team@outspokentraining.co.uk or 01223 473820. You can also visit Outspoken's website.

Further details on Bikeability, including alternative private training providers, can be found on the Bikeability website. Alternatively you can contact Bikeability@lincolnshire.gov.uk

Routes

With quiet country lanes and picturesque villages it couldn’t be easier to explore North Kesteven on two wheels.

In partnership with Active Lincolnshire and Better we have uploaded a wide range of cycling routes to the ‘Go Explore Lincolnshire’ App. You can get the app from Google Play and the Apple App Store.

Alternatively you can see a list of routes below.

Go Explore Lincolnshire provides cycling routes for beginners through to advanced cyclists throughout North Kesteven. The routes available include:

  • Sleaford to Kelby
    Beginning in the historic market town of Sleaford, venture to Silk Willoughby, then travel North past Greylees. Pass through South Rauceby and then on to Kelby, before continuing past rolling fields through Culverthorpe and Swarby and back to Sleaford. Route is long distance (28.7km) and has some steady hills. The route avoids main roads and is suited to experienced cyclists. 
  • Sleaford to South Kyme
    Beginning in the historic market town of Sleaford, travel north until Digby, where you will then head East to Walcott and venture down county roads through Billinghay, North Kyme and the picturesque South Kyme, cycling beside the Kyme Eau and on to Heckington. Pass Heckington’s famous eight sailed windmill and then follow a twisting route back to Sleaford, through Helpringham, Scredington, Burton Pedwardine and Silk Willoughby. Route is long distance and mostly flat. The route avoids main roads and is suited to experienced cyclists.  
  • Sleaford to Heckington 
    Beginning in the historic market town of Sleaford, venture to Silk Willoughby and along winding country lanes to Heckington. Here you will pass its famous eight sailed windmill and continue on the picturesque route through Ewerby, Kirkby la Thorpe and back into Sleaford. Route is long distance (34.3km) and mostly flat. The route avoids main roads and is suited to intermediate cyclists.
  • Sleaford to Heckington (Short)
    Beginning in the historic market town of Sleaford, venture to Silk Willoughby and along winding country lanes to Heckington. Here you will pass its famous eight sailed windmill and continue on the picturesque route through Ewerby, Kirkby la Thorpe and back into Sleaford. Route is medium distance (26.5km) and mostly flat. The route avoids main roads and is suited to intermediate cyclists.
  • Sleaford to Leasingham
    This route begins in the historic market town of Sleaford and travels up its high street towards Holdingham. In Holdingham, travel on a path over the A17 and on to Leasingham, where you will finish at the Duke of Wellington pub. This route is short distance (4.1km) and travels at a low gradient uphill, with one steeper climb over the A17. The route avoids main roads and is suited for novice cyclists. 
  • Heckington to Great Hale
    Beginning at Heckington playing field, pass the primary school and St. Andrew’s Church, as well as the famous eight sailed windmill on your way to Great Hale. Here you will pass St. John’s Church and look out on rolling fields before coming back into Heckington, through the village and back to the playing fields.This route is short distance (5.8km) and mostly flat. The route avoids main roads and is suited for novice cyclists. 
  • Bassingham to Witham St Hughs
    Cycle from Bassingham to Carlton le Moorland and on to Norton Disney, crossing the River Witham. Then journey north to Witham St Hughs, passing a number of lakes, Norton Big Wood and the old airfield. Pass back over the River Witham to Aubourn and back to Bassingham. Route is medium distance (16km) and mostly flat. The route avoids main roads and is suited to intermediate cyclists.
  • Skellingthorpe to Swinethorpe
    Begin in Skellingthorpe and travel up into the town before cutting West towards Harby on along cycle path. Then comlplate a circular route going through Harby and Doddington, where you will pass the historic Doddington Hall, and come back along the cycle path to the beginning. Route distance is medium (21.4km) and has some slow inclines. The route travels on some busy roads and is suited to experienced cyclists. 
  • Doddington to Coleby
    Cycle from the historic Doddington Hall, down to Thorpe on the Hill, passing the stunning Whisby Nature Park. Then through Coleby, passing rolling fields, to Aubourn and back. Route is long distance (50.4km) and contains one steep hill. Route avoids main roads. Overall best suited to experienced cyclists.
  • Doddington to North Scarle
    Starting at the historic Doddington hall, travel North before going West down a cycle path at Old Hag Wood. Then you will venture through Harby, Wigsley and North Scarle and then loop back up to Doddington where you began. Route is medium distance (19.6km) and contains some slow inclines. The route travels on some busy roads and is suited to experienced cyclists. 
  • Skellingthorpe Old Wood
    The Odin Trail, a way-marked cycle loop of 1.6km (1 mile) - has been created within the wood with funding from the Lincolnshire County Council. The trail can be accessed directly off Sustrans National Cycle Network Route 64, part of which runs from Lincoln to Skellingthorpe.

Upcoming events

Lots of exciting cycling events in and around North Kesteven can be found on the British Cycling Website. For more information visit the British Cycling website.

Watch this space for more local events coming soon!

Past events

  • NK Schools Cycling Festival which took place on Friday 5th October 2018 which was organised by Carres Grammar School in Association with British Cycling and sponsored by NKDC. The event involved children from the many primary schools (Brown's, Horbling, Cranwell, Digby CE, Winchelsea, Dunston, Church Lane, Nocton, Helpringham, Rauceby, Metheringham, Winthorpe and Our Lady of Good Counsel).
  • Cubs and Scouts in North Hykeham completed five laps of Millennium Green on Saturday, October 6th 2018 to help encourage more young people to take up the sport and enjoy it safely and to earn their cycling badge.
  • Cycle Fest 2019 took place on Saturday 1st June at Doddington Hall, celebrating all things cycling. Organised by Access Lincoln, NKDC and Giant; Cycle Fest had cycling activities for all the family to try, including a pump bike track, velodrome bike simulators and KMX karts, children’s mountain bike taster sessions, led rides for all the family and a treasure hunt around Skellingthorpe old wood. There were have-a-go Giant demonstration bikes, free bike safety checks and bike security marking, plus food marquees to grab a bite to eat and lots of other entertainment for the family to have a great day out.
  • Giant Lincoln Cycle’s Sportive was on Sunday 2nd June 2019. It was their only sportive this year on their events calendar and had four distances to choose from. All cyclists taking part started and finished at Doddington Hall and completed their chosen distance on a well-marked and safe course. There were plenty of activities for all the non-cyclists taking place at Doddington Hall too, to keep friends and family busy.

Finding a club or supplier

Welcome to our handy index of local Cycling Clubs and Cycle Shops

Please note, the inclusion of an establishment, supplier or club within this page does not imply any official recommendations by North Kesteven District Council

Clubs

Cycle Shops

  • Sleaford Cycle Centre
    82B Southgate, Sleaford NG34 7RL
    Telephone: 01529 302810

  • Riverside Cycles
    5 Northgate, NG34 7BH, Sleaford
    Telephone: 01529 414511
    Email: sue@riversidecycles.co.uk

  • Gerri’s Ltd
    Unit 5 Hadley Road, Woodbridge Road Ind Est, Sleaford, Lincs, NG34 7EG
    Telephone: 01529 306087
    Email: sales@gerris-online.co.uk

  • Pedal Tech
    2a Boston Rd, Heckington, Sleaford, NG34 9JE
    Telephone: 07970 608687

  • Arrow Cycles
    312 Newark Rd, North Hykeham, Lincoln, LN6 8JX
    Telephone: 01522 694466
    Email: staff@arrowcycles.co.uk

  • Giant Lincoln
    Doddington Hall, Doddington, Lincoln LN6 4RU
    Telephone: 01522 812 518
    Email: info@giant-lincoln.co.uk

For more information on cycling in the district, you can download and view our cycling strategy.

Walk, run, ride and see Lincolnshire