Leicester & Swannington Railway Ride

If you’re fairly confident on your bike and ready to broaden your cycling horizons, our Steady rides are ideal. At a comfortable pace, and possibly with some modest hills along the way, rides take place on mainly quiet roads with plenty of sights along the way. Rides are between 6 and 20 miles long, at a moderate pace of between 7 and 10 miles an hour.

Discover the fascinating story of the historical Leicester and Swannington Railway Line. The L&SR was the 1830s cutting-edge engineering marvel on which the Leicester we know today was founded. It was built by local entrepreneurs, assisted by both George and Robert Stephenson, and reputedly the third steam-hauled line ever built in England. The ride will focus on the City end of the line and reveal landmarks in some surprising locations. The ride will be co-led by local historian Keith Drury and include a guided walking tour to reach 400m inside the long-abandoned Glenfield Tunnel.

Tunnel Visit
The ride will include a walking tour of the tunnel, and you'll be expected to walk 800m on uneven surface - cycling cleats may not be suitable. A head covering (bike helmet/hat fine) and a torch also advisable. It's cool but dry in the tunnel, so come prepared. Bikes will be left in a supervised park at the entrance.