New cycle track links Doddington to Lincoln

This path enables cyclists and pedestrians to make a safe, attractive and traffic free journey from Doddington to the centre of Lincoln via the Sustrans Cycle Path 64. This project has been partly funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.

The route was officially opened on Sunday 2 July at 12.30pm by Olympic Gold medallist Georgie Twigg MBE, and is named the Georgie Twigg Track in recognition of her sporting achievements and many years as a village resident.

The new track provides a much-needed link between the village and the Sustrans Route 64 which carries on to Lincoln. It is a mile long and comprises of a purpose-built tarmac track which goes across land privately owned by the Doddington Estate. Access is free and available to all cyclists as well customers of Giant Lincoln. It will also give Doddington Hall’s staff access to an off-road route if they wish cycle to work.

James Birch, who runs the Doddington Estate with his wife Claire, is a keen cyclist himself: “Cycling is a growing trend as both a pastime, means of transport and a sport. There are two million people who cycle at least three times a week, seven million who cycle at least once a month and 17 million who cycle once a year”.

“We have wanted to provide this track since we opened Giant Lincoln as it’s a fantastic way to link our visitor experience with the city of Lincoln, allowing people to freely move between the two in such an active and eco-friendly way. We hope that visitors to the city will like the idea of hiring a bike and cycling out to Doddington whilst enjoying the countryside en-route or perhaps considering Lincoln as a great base for a cycling holiday.”

Mark Hollingworth is the manager at Giant Lincoln: “This exciting development signals a new chapter for Giant Lincoln as we have also created a new hire fleet of family cycles including electric models. Visitors to the Estate who’d like to use the new track are welcome to book a Doddington cycle or bring their own.”  Giant Lincoln at Doddington opened in October 2015.

Details of the route can be found at Giant Store Lincoln at Doddington Hall. Giant Lincoln is open seven days a week (Monday to Saturday 8.30am to 5pm; Sunday 10am to 4pm). Giant Lincoln 01522 812 518.

Investment into the new track has come from Doddington Hall and grants. It was built with help from a grant given by the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) 2014 – 2020 through the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.

Photos with thanks to Instinctive Photography