Get Lost Mountaineering

Skellingthorpe Odder N Carlton Burton

Start/Finish

Skellingthorpe community centre where there is usually ample free parking. This is most easily reached from the Skellingthorpe roundabout on the A46 Lincoln bypass. Take the road into Skellingthorpe and the car park is roughly where the cycle track from Lincoln crosses the road.

Distance/Time

20 km/12 miles    About 1 – 2 hours

Introduction

This is a pleasant cycle which uses cycle tracks and quiet roads. Some of the route is alongside the Foss Dyke which is a bit rough as a cycle track but passable. It is a short but steep road climb from North Carlton to the road along the Lincoln Edge.

Route

(1) From the community centre car park, cross the road and follow the sustrans track towards Lincoln. Reach a junction almost below the A46 Lincoln bypass and continue ahead on a narrower track, in the trees and below the bypass. This leads up to the side of the bypass and crosses by a self contained but narrow bridge so you are safe from the traffic. Cross the Foss Dyke and railway then descend the other side which has a tight hairpin bend early in the descent. At the second hairpin, go straight on and join the cycle track alongside the Foss Dyke. Turn right, towards Saxilby, with the bypass bridge now behind you. Continue on the rough cycle track. Pass Burton Waters (houses and marina) and continue until the track ends and one is directed off to meet the main A57 road opposite a used car garage. Cross over and follow the old road, left, towards Saxilby. This crosses the River Till just before it joins the Foss Dyke. The cycle path then follows the side of the A57 towards Saxilby. Look for a bridleway on the right towards the end of the old road, before it bends around to the left. This looks a bit rough but the track soon becomes a tarmac road once it passes Odder Farm, the first building, after which it turns right on a long straight before passing an old Grain Dryer. Continue to reach Main Drain where the track goes left and follows the wide drain. Stay with the tarmac road which goes around a couple of bends and passes a locked gate which is no problem at all for a cyclist. Continue and soon reach the road between Saxilby and North Carlton. Turn right and follow the road into North Carlton. Pass the church (it's tower seems to be leaning) and leave the village behind to make the steep ascent onto the road along the Lincoln Edge.

(2) Turn right on the Lincoln Edge road, towards Lincoln. Pass the turning for South Carlton and continue to the traffic lights where you turn right to descend into Burton village. The church is a short distance down this road and can easily missed as it is partly hidden behind trees. Continue through the village then continue the Catchwater Drain at Burton Bridge then Main Drain (same one as earlier) and reach the roundabout where the A57 is crossed.

(3) Go across the roundabout into Burton Waters and continue ahead at the next roundabout. Follow the road which bends left until a sign allows access onto the cycle track alongside the Foss Dyke then retrace back to Skellingthorpe.

Notes

(a) This cycle ride took place in April, 2020.