Queen
Eleanor
Cycle
Ride
The Route and Itinerary
Friday 28 August
Cycle Route
Notation & Description
1 - Harby
Most cyclists arrive by train to Newark on Trent where they are met and transported to Harby Village hall for a warm welcome, brunch and a briefing. The send off is at Harby Parish Church which is adjacent to where the house of Simon de Weston stood. Queen Eleanor died here on the 27th November 1290.
2 - Lincoln Cathedral
A guided tour of the cathedral and essentially to the replica tomb where the viscera of the Queen's body were entombed.
3 - Brant Broughton
Tea at the Quaker Meeting House.
4 - Grantham
Dinner and overnight stop.
Approximate mileage 33
Saturday 29 August
Cycle Route
Notation & Description
4 - Grantham
A brief stop at the site of the original Cross.
5 - South Witham
Refreshment stop at the Village Hall.
6 - Stamford
Lunch at Second Helpings with an optional visit to the site commemorating the original Cross.
7 - Fotheringhay
Tea in the Village Hall.
8 - Geddington
Cyclists are met by the Geddington Volunteer Fire Brigade and escorted to the original Cross standing in the middle of the village. Dinner and overnight stop.
Approximate mileage 58
Sunday 30 August
Cycle Route
Notation & Description
9 - Sywell Aerodrome
Coffee & toilet stop at the Aviator Hotel.
10 - Northampton
Refreshments at Delapre Abbey and visit to the Hardingstone Cross
11 - Stony Stratford
Site of the Original Cross. A further refreshment stop. The route on includes Bow Brick Hill, the steepest hill on the route - climbing it without stopping earns a Gold Star! Refreshment stop at the top.
12 - Woburn
Site of the original Cross.
13 - Dunstable
Dinner and overnight stop.
Approximate mileage 66
Monday 31 August
Cycle Route
Notation & Description
14 - St Albans
Visit the clock tower which is at the site of the original Cross
15 - North Mymms Church
Refreshment stop.
16 - Waltham Cross
Visit the Original Cross, met by representatives of Broxbourne District Council.
17 - London
Cycle past the site of the Cross near St Mary-le Bow and where the site of the monastery of the Black Friars stood. This housed Queen Eleanor's second tomb containing her heart.
Arrive at Westminster Abbey for a ceremony at the final resting place of Queen Eleanor (in the St. Edward the Confessor Shrine).
Pass the site of the original Cross at Trafalgar Square.
Visit the replica Cross at Charing Cross Station.
End of Ride Party at The Connection at St Martin's.
Well done Everybody!
Approximate mileage 57