Post by hoover5ken on Jan 11, 2013 1:42:10 GMT
By popular demand I have planned out a day out around Milton Keynes.
Sunday 3rd March 2013
Milton Keynes is 50 miles North of London, 65 miles South of Birmingham and 28 miles East of Oxford. The Parking is good and hopefully the weather
The Peace Pagoda, Willen Lake
Milton Keynes has miles and miles of cycle tracks called Redways. The route is about 7 miles between 10:30 am and 5 pm.
ONLY 600 YARDS IS ON A ROAD, the rest is on landscaped tarmac cycle tracks the whole of the time and very very few hills. It is ideal for kids and the elderly (like me and Ron). YOU WONT SEE A CAR ALL DAY. (well you might catch a glimpse)
One of the many underpasses on the Redway System.
The first meeting point is 09:30 am at Milton Keynes Railway Station.
It is then a short ride to Weatherspoons for the £4 breakfast. (5 mins)
The second meeting point is Weatherspoons, Midsummer Boulevard at 10:30am
From here it is a gentle ride heading east along the side of the shopping centre to Willen Lake.
Heading North along the Grand Union Canal (tarmac path not towpath mud) to Linford Manor where a short break at the Nags head village pub for a quick pint.
From here we join the old Newport Pagnall to Wolverton Railway line cycle path (picture below)
A second rest at the New Inn for a short while then continuing West.
No trip to Milton Keynes is complete without a visit to the Concrete Cows
It is then a short ride back to the start point of Weatherspoons/Milton Keynes Railway Station (this is the bit with the 600 yards of village High St on the road)
It is estimated that the arrival at the finishing point is 5:30pm. You might need lights for the last little bit but as none of it is on a road and plenty of others will have lights I wouldn't bother about it too much. All Redways are illuminated by street lights.
This is a very gentle ride and with 8 hours to do 7 miles is very leisurely.
Another part of the redway system
Getting there:
By Train.
From Euston: London Midland cycle Policy is that each passenger can bring one bicycle each, not prebooking, just turn up with the bike and get on.. Virgin Trains will allow the same but you must book a reservation for your bike on a specific train and you must catch that train. They only allow 4 bikes per train so you need to book in advance. This is done by going to any manned station anywhere in the UK and ask for a free bike reservation naming the train you want to get.
From Euston there is a 0823 departure (London Midland) which will cost about £15-£20 return on the day. They also offer 4 people for the price of 2.
From Birmingham New St/Coventry:
There is a 0830am departure from Birmingham New St that arrives at Milton Keynes at 0937am. This is run by Virgin Trains and you will need to reserve a place (free of charge) in advance for your Bike. Don't forget to pick a return train and reserve that too.
If you need any more information on rail travel just ask or PM me.
By road:
Junction 14 of the M1. Turn west and follow Childs Way to the railway station. If you think of the Motorway Jn 14 as roundabout number 1 then turn off and simply head west counting the roundabouts going straight ahead at each one until you get to number 11, then turn right, its all sign posted and those with Twatnav can put in the postcode which is MK9 1LA. On arrival at the front of the station I can direct you to a free car/van park.
If you want to go direct to Weatherspoons then its Weatherspoons, Midsummer Boulevard, Milton Keynes. Twatnav postcode put in MK9 1EA. There is plenty of parking outside Weatherspoons but you do have to pay.
There will be a prize presentation during the day.
As myself and two others will be carrying a full set of tools there will be no need to carry any, just ask us although a spare inner tube might be an idea. We have pumps etc.
My Mobile phone number will be published here nearer the time for use on the day for those having a problem.
If you want to join us later this can be arranged.
This ride is going ahead and is open to anyone on any classic bike.
Don't hesitate to PM me or ask an open question.
Sunshine is guaranteed but it might be hiding above the clouds.
See it on facebook www.facebook.com/events/570878429593375/
Sunday 3rd March 2013
Milton Keynes is 50 miles North of London, 65 miles South of Birmingham and 28 miles East of Oxford. The Parking is good and hopefully the weather
The Peace Pagoda, Willen Lake
Milton Keynes has miles and miles of cycle tracks called Redways. The route is about 7 miles between 10:30 am and 5 pm.
ONLY 600 YARDS IS ON A ROAD, the rest is on landscaped tarmac cycle tracks the whole of the time and very very few hills. It is ideal for kids and the elderly (like me and Ron). YOU WONT SEE A CAR ALL DAY. (well you might catch a glimpse)
One of the many underpasses on the Redway System.
The first meeting point is 09:30 am at Milton Keynes Railway Station.
It is then a short ride to Weatherspoons for the £4 breakfast. (5 mins)
The second meeting point is Weatherspoons, Midsummer Boulevard at 10:30am
From here it is a gentle ride heading east along the side of the shopping centre to Willen Lake.
Heading North along the Grand Union Canal (tarmac path not towpath mud) to Linford Manor where a short break at the Nags head village pub for a quick pint.
From here we join the old Newport Pagnall to Wolverton Railway line cycle path (picture below)
A second rest at the New Inn for a short while then continuing West.
No trip to Milton Keynes is complete without a visit to the Concrete Cows
It is then a short ride back to the start point of Weatherspoons/Milton Keynes Railway Station (this is the bit with the 600 yards of village High St on the road)
It is estimated that the arrival at the finishing point is 5:30pm. You might need lights for the last little bit but as none of it is on a road and plenty of others will have lights I wouldn't bother about it too much. All Redways are illuminated by street lights.
This is a very gentle ride and with 8 hours to do 7 miles is very leisurely.
Another part of the redway system
Getting there:
By Train.
From Euston: London Midland cycle Policy is that each passenger can bring one bicycle each, not prebooking, just turn up with the bike and get on.. Virgin Trains will allow the same but you must book a reservation for your bike on a specific train and you must catch that train. They only allow 4 bikes per train so you need to book in advance. This is done by going to any manned station anywhere in the UK and ask for a free bike reservation naming the train you want to get.
From Euston there is a 0823 departure (London Midland) which will cost about £15-£20 return on the day. They also offer 4 people for the price of 2.
From Birmingham New St/Coventry:
There is a 0830am departure from Birmingham New St that arrives at Milton Keynes at 0937am. This is run by Virgin Trains and you will need to reserve a place (free of charge) in advance for your Bike. Don't forget to pick a return train and reserve that too.
If you need any more information on rail travel just ask or PM me.
By road:
Junction 14 of the M1. Turn west and follow Childs Way to the railway station. If you think of the Motorway Jn 14 as roundabout number 1 then turn off and simply head west counting the roundabouts going straight ahead at each one until you get to number 11, then turn right, its all sign posted and those with Twatnav can put in the postcode which is MK9 1LA. On arrival at the front of the station I can direct you to a free car/van park.
If you want to go direct to Weatherspoons then its Weatherspoons, Midsummer Boulevard, Milton Keynes. Twatnav postcode put in MK9 1EA. There is plenty of parking outside Weatherspoons but you do have to pay.
There will be a prize presentation during the day.
As myself and two others will be carrying a full set of tools there will be no need to carry any, just ask us although a spare inner tube might be an idea. We have pumps etc.
My Mobile phone number will be published here nearer the time for use on the day for those having a problem.
If you want to join us later this can be arranged.
This ride is going ahead and is open to anyone on any classic bike.
Don't hesitate to PM me or ask an open question.
Sunshine is guaranteed but it might be hiding above the clouds.
See it on facebook www.facebook.com/events/570878429593375/