Flowing Trails and Country Parks

This relatively flowing ride starts and finishes at the Markham Grange garden centre and café near Doncaster - very close to j38 of the A1(M). The route uses a variety of trails and some quiet roads, linking together many lovely country parks with excellent bike trails through them. These include Frickley Country Park, Phoenix Park, Barnburgh Crags, Melton Wood Country Park, Cusworth Country Park, Bentley Community Woodland, Highfields Country Park, and Brodsworth Community Woodlands.

There is no café stop on the ride itself, so please bring a packed lunch with you. Afterwards, we can have a cuppa and snacks in the café back at Markham Grange, (their scones are awesome). After that, those that fancy it can have a wander round the very large garden centre. There is also a steam museum but unfortunately it will not be open that day.

Nearest railway station: Adwick (2 miles). Catch the 09:22 from Leeds towards Doncaster, via Wakefield (09:45).

Meet: Markham Grange garden centre, Long Lands Lane, Brodsworth, Doncaster, DN5 7XB.
Please park on the right-hand side of the car park well away from the garden centre entrance, out of consideration for their customers.

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Time: 10:00 for 10:15 departure.

Type of ride: Off road, but with some (mostly) quiet roads.

Distance: 30 miles

Duration: 5 hours (estimated, including stops).

Technical difficulty: BLUE (Moderate), nothing technical beyond a few bits of bumpy trail. Some sections could be muddy after wet weather but nothing extreme.

Physical difficulty : BLUE/RED (Moderate to Difficult), mainly because of the distance. About 1,600ft of total (aggregate) ascent, so a good level of fitness is required if on an unassisted bike.

Suitable For: Mountain Bikes (ideally) & Gravel Bikes.

Recommendations: Spare tube, Tools, Pump, Lunch, Energy bars/drinks, Water.

Safety: No Helmet = No Ride!