It's nearly Spring! First route check of 2023.

 As much as the Winter seems to drag on, I can't believe that this latest post follows an Autumn post.  The first route check on local parts of the National Cycle Network (NCN) of 2023 took place on a chilly but sunny February day with plenty of signs that Spring is around the corner.

I'd also taken a recent tentative look around the developing route on the Burton side of Swadlincote including a look at progress on the Urban Park.  Whilst there is not much to report further to recent posts, it was good to see that the BMX part of the urban park was nearing completion.  With infrastructure visually well in place the park looks to be well advanced but the fencing still remains.  An opening date is still to be confirmed but will hopefully be done by Easter - updates will be given when known,

So with limited scope for traversing the new sections, a route check on the more established sections was required.  I thought I'd share the experience of a route check in a bit of detail.

Construction of Gresley Meadow development

Starting in Church Gresley with an initial trip up the unforgiving Cappy Hill the route was followed down Thorpe Downs Road out onto the Conkers Circuit and following NCN63 through Gresley Woods towards Swainspark Wood.  As well as checking signage and surface, we also check the surroundings.  Currently a new development called Gresley Meadow is under construction along the back of the Thorpe Downs estate.  The current status of works and movement of earth around the site certainly brings an ironic meaning to the Meadow name.

One of the other issues in the area is the signage of the junction back towards Church Gresley from the circuit.  In February it is visible but due to their set back location, the signs are often obscured when the foliage is green and vibrant again.  Something to keep monitoring with partners around the route.

Onwards through the picturesque Swainspark Wood with it's leaf filled floor.  A slight issue noted with a fallen tree that doesn't present immediate danger but worthy of reporting to Forestry England.  By this point, I'm observing that this dry and sunny day has certainly attracted a fair few people, dogs and horses out for the day, which is nice to see.  

Rural section alongside Gresley Woods

From the cover of the woods, across the road and down the ramp to run alongside the railway line up to Spring Cottage, a little bumpy with tree routes in one spot but nothing too severe.  I negotiate the A-frame barrier at Spring Cottage on it's uphill section before crossing towards Moira Junction.  Hopefully the barriers will be removed soon to allow for the Paths for Everyone philosophy to be enjoyed.  They were all captured on the recent barrier audits for Sustrans.

The section between Spring Cottage and the National Forest Youth Hostel is in good shape - the work done around the Moira Junction nature reserve has really improved the path surroundings.  Again, the railway embankment section is holding up well partly due to work done in the past by probation teams and volunteer work days as well as work done by the local ranger for Leicestershire County Council to reduce overhanging vegetation.

Information board about Donisthorpe Woodland Park

Soon I'm in Donisthorpe Woodland Park.  At this point I'm checking signage behind me as I'll be coming back down the alternative canal route.  First uphill section for a while is from the bridge and s-bend in the middle of the park.  Starting to warm up and a lengthy intake of water.  No major issues and still plenty of people to say good morning to.

Ashby Wolds Heritage Trail near Donisthorpe

At the end of the park I cross the road in Donisthorpe near the church and take the section towards Oakthorpe and Measham.  This section was resurfaced a few years ago with large stones which have taken their time to bed.  My hybrid bike with semi slick tyres is a good test of the surface.  I'm happy with the surface now - it's certainly an improvement on the quagmire it once was and an improved now that the stone surface has bedded in finally.  Passing to the rear of the camping shop on the outskirts of Measham, I muse that it won't be too long before the tents are on display but not today.  The camping shop heralds the end of this uninterrupted section as a large obstacle appears in the near distance.

The A42 was built in the early 1990s before the development of the cycle routes and no provision was made for continuation of the route under the road.  Like the Cloud Trail a few miles further down the A42, a diversion onto paths is required.  Fortunately when the A50 was built, the cycling infrastructure was considered and continues under the road uninterrupted.

On NCN63 there is another half mile stretch of railway section into Measham.  The first part of this has been resurfaced to a good standard and is nice and wide.  The rest is narrower but still decent surface.  The old railway line would have crossed the road in Measham via a bridge to the old station but as the bridge is no longer there the off road section of the route ends.  I follow the route up Measham High Street to the junction with Bosworth Road where NCN 63 continues on quiet country roads towards Newton Burgoland and beyond.  I check the signage and all is good. The route is part of another ranger's section from this point, but I could check it too.  On this occasion I'm keen to check out Hicks Lodge so return back towards Donisthorpe.

"New" section of Ashby Canal in Donisthorpe

I notice nothing major on the way back except for a sign is missing a directional arrow in Measham, so resolve that issue and continue back to Donisthorpe Woodland Park.  This time I take a right turn and head for the new section of canal via the Miners Welfare Centre (or Jungle Madness as most young parents would know it).  Contemplate having a cuppa here but decide to keep going for a bit.

The section along the canal is always pleasant.  It was built in the early 2000s as part of a second section from Conkers where it terminates.  The eventual aim is to link with the more established sections of the Ashby Canal linked to the rest of the canal network.  Currently this terminates between Snarestone and Measham.  I notice plenty of ducks and coots around and also several anglers.  I approach Moira Furnace and lime kilns and get some pictures to capture the reflection of the furnace bridge in the canal.  I bypass the furnace towards the café but then decide to keep going towards Hicks Lodge, over the little swing bridge and out towards Measham Road.

Approaching the unmistakable Moira Furnace 

We have been looking at signing links between Hicks Lodge and Moira Furnace but there is already decent signage in place for users by Leicetershire County Council so no need to oversign.  We're also not keen on the lack of definitive crossing across Measham Road.  A speed check sign has been put in which hopefully ensure the traffic passes at 30mph or lower which is an improvement. I cross without problem and join the shared path on the other side.

1st section of link to Hicks Lodge

1 of several Zog trail boards

The path up to Hicks Lodge is in 2 distinct sections; the first being through a relatively new housing estate.  Now the estate is finished the road has been fully surfaced and raised in parts to meet the kerbs that previously created a hazard. At the top of the estate the path changes direction and goes through an A-gate.  Although not part of the NCN it is worth noting any issues in case of potential expansion of the NCN. Although nothing is currently planned, it is worth noting that a route through Hicks Lodge would provide a route to the outskirts of ever expanding Ashby-de-la-Zouch - a sizeable town not currently on the NCN.

Hicks Lodge cycle centre and café

From the A-gate on Newfields Road the off road link to Hicks Lodge is curvy and undulating which makes it a bit more interesting than most off road links.  It creates a junction with the circular path on the southern side of Hicks Lodge which features the cycling centre and café, lake and car park.

Hicks Lodge bird hide and heritage board

Taking the short anti-clockwise leg to the main building, it is immediately clear that it is busy.  Undeterred, I park up and queue for a tea and rather nice Oreo Brownie.  Whilst enjoying both I notice that the Forestry trail now features the character of Zog.  This is the latest of a series of trails inspired by the books of Julia Donaldson - the first being the Gruffalo a few years ago.

Conkers Waterside & canal basin

Once refreshed I opt to head back towards Moira and the NCN rather than cross the road and take one of the trail routes - mainly due to having fully laden panniers.  I take the long route around the lake before heading back to the furnace.  From there I take the canal side path back towards Conkers Waterside and take a ride over the Marquis Bridge towards the Sarah's Wood side away from the carpark.

From here I continue under the railway bridge alongside the Conka-choo track towards Conkers Discovery side.  The Conka-choo is a little train that links the 2 Conkers sites but is not yet ready for the busy summer season although it does look busy for early February.  The path runs alongside the carpark then up the drive towards Rawdon Road.  Near the top I notice that there is some quite significant tree trunk distortion on the path so make a note to feed this information back to partner organisations.

My route check continues towards Albert Village lake.  At the bottom of the run down from the road the signage looks good.  I opt to go clockwise towards the far side of the lake rather than along the main route along the main shore.  I check out the heritage interpretation board celebrating the local pottery industry before heading back towards Swainspark wood via the red section of the Conkers Circuit.

Information board near the memorial

The Diana Princess of Wales memorial

The reason I took the shortcut back is because I'd checked the section between Albert Village lake and Thorpe Downs Road recently and I thought I'd have a ride to the Diana, Princess of Wales memorial section which is a little off the beaten track.  The memorial is as peaceful as ever with just a couple of dog walkers opting to walk this way.  In the distance is the unmistakable shape of the kilns of the former TG Green pottery.

Back onto the link back to the main NCN route I follow my tracks back to Swainspark wood but take a right turn back towards Tunnel woods and the link back down to Castle Gresley and the end of the route check.