GLORIOUS RIDE

Gliding through the midlands on the B660.

Not every great road has to run through dramatic landscape and shout Lord of the Rings. In fact, because of time constraints/family matters, most favourite roads have to be close-ish to home. So, when a few hours free up on a Sunday afternoon we can fit in a ride.

For me that favourite road/ride is the B660, kicking off from humble origins in Cambridgeshire fen country then arcing gently south to end up in the middle of Bedford town centre 35 miles later. The B660 is a prime example of a great British B-road lost to most in the middle of the country and bypassed on all sides by motorways and A-roads. Which, of course, makes it ideal for a peaceful, traffic-free escape.

And just because a great route isn’t punctuated by Jurassic coastline, valleys hewn by glaciers or towering mountains it doesn’t mean there’s nothing to see while riding. Within a few miles of the start of this B660 route, surrounded by endless fens and what seem like the biggest skies on Earth, you arrive at the lowest point in England, Holme Fen, and Home Fen bend. Which was the most photographed motorcycling corner in the 1990s because the vast majority of the UK’S motorcycle magazines were, and are, published not far away in Peterborough. Holme Fen is a whopping nine feet below sea level. Farmers ploughing the fen regularly turn up great bog oaks – huge fossilised tree trunks from an ancient forest. The fenlands drift off as the B660 zing-zangs over the A1 and through Glatton where now there are low hills and rolling fields. The road rocks back and forth and is dotted by sleepy villages and country pubs.

Just outside Old Weston the B660 sweeps leisurely around and crosses the busy A14, then funnels into Catworth. From here, the drop down into Kimbolton is classic English B-road – wider than you’d expect, well-surfaced and free of traffic. It’s another popular place for Bike magazine photo shoots, so some of the corners might look familiar.

Kimbolton is a time warp of tudor beams, Georgian doorways and 1960s council housing, and it’s difficult to park unless you’re on two wheels. Halfway along the route and you should start scanning for Oliver’s Cafe for a lazy coffee.

We’re on the run into Bedford now – past Kimbolton’s impressive public school – with a turn right taking you onto another stretch of superb B-road, rattling on through farmland and quiet villages. At this point expect company from mobile police cameras.

‘Just because a great route isn’t punctuated by Jurassic coastline doesn’t mean there’s nothing to see’