The Ladybird Way

I have called this 'bike-packing' route The Ladybird Way as it starts in Loughborough - the town where Ladybird books was started in 1873. You also pass right by the final resting place of Lady Diana Spencer on the Althorp estate. To further tie in with the 'bird' of Ladybird - a short stretch is through Draycote Water - where there are plenty of birds to be seen. :) I tried to keep as much of it off busy roads as I could and I am pleased to have no more than a mile or so on what I would class as 'busy' roads (most notable of these was a half mile stretch of the A45 near Daventry). Half of the entire route is completely off-road and includes the use of the Great Central Walk through Rugby and the old train line which now forms the Brampton Valley Way in Northamptonshire. The route also utilises canal paths - which can be sketchy/bumpy- I would recommend a Hybrid or Mountain bike; though you could use minor roads as an alternative. There are also a couple of small stretches where it may be a case of getting off your bike and pushing it due to track being so awful (weather and time of year dependent). This route is for cyclists that like a multi-terrain challenge with their hardy two wheeled friend, and older children who are up for an adventure. We cycled this successfully over a three days 'bike-packing' adventure - The campsite we used is indicated and I give a little info - the second night we 'wild camped' in some woods. There are other campsites close to the trail - I have indicated those (check for seasonal opening times of sites before rocking up!)