We rode the route on October 16th-17th 2008. The itinerary goes like this:
Day 1 OS111
A6135 to Harthill (not particularly pleasant but fast) NCN6 (Mostly on-road) to Worksop – At Shireoaks, there is a useful cafe by the station with homemade cakes. Then retrace your route to turn left at Shireoaks Rd. Use this to avoid a slow (but recently resurfaced) bit on the canal towpath as far as the Lock Keeper Pub, then get back on the towpath, but use the bridge to cross over and go in round the fishing lake. When you reach Worksop Town Centre turn right and walk through the pedestrianised shopping centre or use the adjacent service roads. Get on the B6034 To Budby – A616 to Newark missing the worst bit around the M1 – Newark is a potential drop off point for dayriders (trains back to Sheffield via Doncaster- reservations required – or cycle up to Retford for direct local trains)
B6326 S. out of Newark, yellow rds (yr) to Balderfield, Claypole, Stubton, Hough on the Hill, Carlton Scroop, l.A153, r. B6403, l.yellow rd to Ropsley, Hanby, Edenham, l. A151, r on minor road to Toft. l. on A6121 then r. on yr to Thurlby.
Spend night at Thurlby Youth Hostel nr. Bourne. Eat/drink at pub in village
Day 2
Take A15 s. to Baston. Left on yr to to Spalding.
OS131
B1165 to Tydd St Giles (NCN link to Wisbech if anyone is heading south at this point)
yr to Tydd Gote, Sutton Bridge (there’s a cycle track e. of the bridge avoiding a a busy bit of the A47) yr Walpole Cross Keys, Terrington St Clements,
OS132
Coming into West Lynn, turn r. then left for a minor road crossing of the river parallel to the main road. Or, take the Ferry. (but getting a heavily laden touring bike on it can be tricky)
Smile, you’re in Norfolk!
After the bridge a cycle route runs along the river that takes you to the town centre. Head for the station and on the south side you will find a link to NCN Route 1 that takes you neatly to South Wootton, Castle Rising and on to Sandringham for the North Norfolk coast. If heading east towards Norwich, from Castle Rising take yr’s towards Roydon, or take the B1145 towards Gayton.
Welcome to Norfolk!
Alternative Route: you can take NCN1 from Lincoln. Enquire for the “Water Rail Way” from the station. Follow the blue signs until you arrive!
Getting home train options:
From Kings Lynn Change at Ely. From Norwich – Direct Trains to Sheffield. Also possible to go to/from Boston (Skegness train – change at Nottingham)
Bike reservations required in both cases, Bookable online at http://www.eastcoast.co.uk/