CYCLING A day out under pedal power around Rutland Water.

Bike Ride

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A WALK WITH PRIDE

RUTLAND WATER: SPEND THE DAY CYCLING IN THE COUNTRY

What better way to take in the majesty of the reservoir than with a sortie around its perimeter under pedal power...?

Words: Rob Davis.

Distance: 8 to 23 miles, depending on the route you choose. Route: See map overleaf. How to Get There: Whitwell, LE15 8BL. More Information: www.anglianwaterparks.co.uk.

APPARENTLY, life begins at 40. For a certain county magazine editor though – now 42 years young – all that particular milestone yielded was a bit of middle-age spread.

Happily the team had a great idea for how to get me out in the fresh air and stunning countryside of Rutland. Having mentioned the popularity of Rutland with walkers and cyclists on many occasions, I must confess to have skirted around the issue a little for fear of getting dragged into physical exercise and so, thus far in my career as the editor of the area’s biggest and best county magazine, I’ve avoided all but a very gentle little stroll around the reservoir with the family.

Now though, it was time to tackle the proverbial full monty, hiring cycles from Rutland Cycling and embarking on a sortie around the water with my publisher and his family cracking the whip behind me.

Different Routes... Cycling around Rutland is a piece of cake even for those unfamiliar with the area, since it’s pretty much a circular route. What’s convenient about the reservoir, too, is that it affords a number of routes so that those who haven’t cycled for a while, or those with youngsters can start off on the Family Trail which is a fairly easy eight miles beginning at Normanton and heading anti-clockwise to Whitwell. The peninsular trail is 15 miles and begins at Whitwell, heading anti-clockwise to Oakham, then looping the peninsular before heading back to Whitwell incorporating both roads and a few hills. The more fit among us may be inclined to try the full Rutland Water lap, which is 23 miles in distance and can begin at Whitwell or Normanton before following the route right around – clockwise or anticlockwise, it’s your choice. The full route includes the peninsular, but omitting the village of Hambleton does enable you to slightly shorten the route to 17 miles.

On the subject of being in your 40s, Rutland Cycling was established in 1981, initially at Whitwell and then on the south shore. Today, the company has a total of 14 stores in the region, and its founders Dave & Ann Archer’s son Paul and CEO Karen Archer now run the business. >>

>> Since the business was founded, over one million people have hired bikes to embark on a tour of Rutland Water, and happily it’s not only the business that has matured but the bikes themselves.

Ours featured power-assistance, which helped to ease the wheeze on the route’s uphill bits. Having scarcely been on a bike since my school days, I was pleasantly surprised by how comfortable the company’s hire fleet was, clearly built to last and not made to a price point as you’d expect from a child’s bike purchased at an automotive and cycling store. Joining us on the trip were our publisher’s two teenagers, Harvey and Joseph, but happily all of us managed to keep up with

“All of us managed to keep up the pace and have lots of fun along the way!”

one another and more importantly, have lots of fun along the way with a few miniraces along the route.

One note of caution is to be aware when the routes are more likely to be occupied by serious cycling enthusiasts – earlier in the morning, later in the evening – and when families are more likely to be walking cycling or taking the dog around the water; Rutland Water does feel very busy in the summer months. Having surprised myself by how enjoyable a cycle around Rutland Water can be, there’s also time to mention the bit that I was confident I’d enjoy too, the aprés cycle; to wit, the numerous pubs and lunchtime venues around the route. One of the nicest elements of cycling around the reservoir is that you can not only choose a route suited to your fitness and inclination, but also take as much time as you want and stop regularly. The best activity for fitness is the one you don’t find a chore, and in this respect, being able to enjoy a drink along the way at the Horse & Jockey at Manton or dinner and a rest at Barnsdale Lodge makes the business or getting the editor back in shape a good deal easier! n