Greenlaning - Coalville Area

[Bongoman]

ill be happy to have a blast round the coalville loop ,just need to stick my knoblies back on ,
might be able to do this weekend if anyone can make it, its fairly big bike friendly ,and some ford crossing too

[byway billy]

pm sent

[stixtherhythmking]

I'm good this weekend - weather forecast good too

[Bongoman]

I'm good this weekend - weather forecast good too

Ok mate I'm still not def at the min but I'll let you know asap ,

[Nicoli]

Have fun. I'll be at work

After a short run to Tesco, as is often the way I got carried away and took a bimble around and found the byway in Swannington.



Decent enough though confusing as it is marked as a byway at both ends, but one end is definitely a paved footpath next to the road with no drop kerb to get onto it.

Swannington End, the signage shows a clear distinction when there in person, so no doubting it is a byway. Public Byway to the left, Public Bridleway to the right:








Problem End: (the circled sign reads 'Public Byway to Swannington'



In that old image there are tracks on the grass where vehicles have clearly driven up/down. But I don't fancy coming out of that entrance and riding down either a path/verge onto the main road.

Also when I rode down it from the other end, about 2/3rds down it becomes a yellow signed footpath. A nice wooden stake painted yellow where it goes from wooded area to field, and a yellow arrow sign saying footpath, with no alternative route... (didn't get a photo of that)


I'm guessing it's to do with the proximity to the college? The byway maybe changed to a footpath from a certain point but the signs not being moved/taken down at the college end.

[Tonibe63]

It's a Byway, we've always just come from McD roundabout and rode up the kerb (thumbs)

[Nicoli]

Ahh good to know cheers.

I was surprised when I rode it by the *lack of* reaction from some walkers. I'd already ridden past a group of elderly walkers on a different lane earlier, and when I got to this byway they were sat near the entrance taking a break. Upon my return they were all smiles, waves and 'good afternoon'.

I expected a torrent of 'you can't ride that there...etc'

Evidently they understand what a byway is

[Nicoli]

So I ended up back at Spring Lane in Packington, the first ever lane I went to, but to do the whole thing this time despite the concrete blocks someone has dropped there to try and stop movement along it:









Lovely little ride, stormed past one set of concrete blocks. Had another lovely ride up the rest of the lane, got to the last set of blocks at the end of the lane.

Was riding high on righteous indignation at people trying to block off the Byway....full of fire and brimstone about just ignoring their attempt and riding where the law allows....lost the front wheel in some wet mud and promptly fell over right next to said blockage!! haha

Oh well, Gladys survived her fall with no more than some muddy warpaint stripes and a loosened wing mirror. I feel a true green lane rider now that I've fallen over in some mud

Back home at the end:

[Richard Simpson]

Nice post.

Most walkers don't mind motorcyclists at all.

Stop to talk as you did and win us more friends.

that's the way to do it!

[desmo666]

nice write up Nicoli, as for the topple we have all done it and no doubt will do it again.
next time give me a shout and will come along if available.
stu