LEICESTERSHIRE BID TO LAND MIDLANDS’ FIRST NATIONAL ‘BIKEPACKING’ ROUTE

A group of Leicestershire cyclists have embarked on a 220-mile challenge in the hope of securing national recognition for a new long-distance cycling route that would put the county on the map for ‘bikepacking’ adventure tourism.

The proposed ‘King's End’ route will link key historic sites, countryside landscapes and independent cafés across Leicester and Leicestershire, with the hope that it will be included in Cycling UK's prestigious ‘Adventure Series’ - potentially making it the first officially recognised route of its kind in the Midlands.

Inspired by the story of King Richard III and the Battle of Naseby, named the ‘Kings End Way’ the route traverses the Leicestershire countryside with key stops at places of historic significance and cycle-friendly cafés and restaurants.

The route is a great way to uncover the history of Leicestershire on two wheels, covering a variety of landscapes on quiet roads which circle the Leicestershire countryside like a wheel, occasionally crossing into neighbouring counties including Rutland and Nottinghamshire, with four ‘spokes’ all heading back into Leicester itself.

The route, named King’s End gives a nod to the downfall of not one but two English kings. Leicester is home to the remains of King Richard III, the last king of England to die in battle in 1485 at Bosworth, resulting in the fall of the House of York and the rise of the Tudors. He was famously discovered in Leicester in 2012, with the ‘King in the car park’ story generating huge national and international awareness.

Less well known but equally significant is 1645’s Battle of Naseby which proved to be the decisive conflict in the English Civil War. Royalist troops, having besieged and captured Leicester, marched to Naseby and lost decisively to Cromwell’s New Model Army. This ultimately led to the capture of Charles I, the only English monarch to be tried and executed.

The Cycling UK routes, ideal for multiple day ‘bikepacking’ adventures are aimed at keen cyclists interested in exploring the history and locations. The Midlands is currently underrepresented with the first seven routes focusing on the south, west and Wales, so this route is a chance to get Leicester and Leicestershire firmly onto the cycling map!

The route can be completed in piecemeal (quadrants), with the full 220 miles aimed at experienced cyclists, but can be attempted over multiple days, with suggested accommodation available via the Visit Leicester website. All of the roads, cycle paths and off-road sections (around 35% of the route is through forests, or by canals and water features) have been selected to be cycle-friendly and accessible to everyone.

The team are trialling the route this week, setting out from the King Richard III Visitor Centre on Tuesday 2 June and returning on Friday 5 June. It is then hoped that Cycling UK will agree to investigate the route which will hopefully lead to it being included in their list of routes from 2027 as the first Midlands ‘Aventure Series’ route!

Mike Dalzell, who was the Director of Tourism at Leicester City Council for many years, and is leading the group’s effort said: “We’re excited to get this route underway and recognised. Leicestershire has a fantastic story to tell, and I know as a keen cyclist that the routes and infrastructure around the county are top class. We hope that this is enough for Cycling UK to agree to come and investigate this route and ultimate include it!”

For more information on the Cycling UK Adventure Series, go to https://www.cyclinguk.org/tags/adventure-series