Your next great ride

B6047, MARKET HARBOROUGH TO MELTON MOWBRAY

MEANDERING, TWISTING AND reflecting the rise and fall of the land around it, a great British B-road is a thing to behold — and few are better than the B6047, a serpentine blast that has the rewards of the country’s best pie shops at the end.

We love the B6047 on RIDE for its challenge, its scenery and the pastry-cased meaty pleasure promised at the end of every ride. A destination for local bikers, it stretches from Market Harborough to Melton Mowbray, cutting through the East Midlands countryside. Fast and well-surfaced, it never asks too much of you but is exciting and flowing enough to create a sense of joyful equilibrium — and best of all, it works on almost any bike.

With tarmac that finds confidenceinspiring traction even in the depths of winter and decent drainage, it’s a great destination this time of year and, despite being just 23 miles long, there are plenty of highlights. There’s the sweeping chicanery near Tur Langton, the dubiously Shellgripped switchback outside Tilton on the Hill and more vistas of green, rural Leicestershire countryside rolling away into the middle distance than you can possibly mention.

And all around are other great roads. You can use this as a link to other great rides too; the B676 out of Melton towards Colsterworth is a joy (aside from the speed cameras of course) while the A606 to Nottingham and the A607 towards East Goscote are flowing, enjoyable ribbons. And the physical power given to you by the ingestion of one of Melton Mowbray’s finest pork pies will make the next stage even better.

WHEN TO GO An early spring blast will suffice — there’s enough grip for feel and plenty of warm pubs and cafés in Melton to warm up. Roads start to get busy during summer weekends. HOW TO GET THERE The best way is to pick up the road is at its junction with the A6. There’s a services and a Mcdonalds there to refuel the bike and you. WHERE TO EAT Melton has an abundance of pie shops but the oldest of them all in the town centre is run by Dickinson and Morris, with Ye Olde Pork Pie Shoppe established way back in 1851. WHERE TO RIDE The best section is from the A47 crossing to Melton. Just be a little bit careful — 22 bikers were caught speeding there last year…