A Launchpad for the Liberation of Europe | A D-Day Bike Ride | Part 1

We will leave Grantham along 5 Gates Lane through the National Trust’s Belton Estate. A climb up the High Dyke will bring us to our first stop at RAF Barkston Heath - the home of the US 61st Troop Carrier Group. Following a talk on the role of the airfield, we will descend off the ridge to Ancaster and make our way to Fulbeck via Caythorpe and another climb up the escarpment.

Following the café stop at Fulbeck craft centre we will descent to the site of the former RAF Fulbeck (the home of 442nd Troop Carrier Group) before returning to Grantham via Hough-on-the-Hill, Barkston, and 5 Gates Lane.

This route marks South Kesteven’s role in the Liberation of Europe. The District hosted four Troop Carrier Groups and the headquarters of the US IX Troop Carrier Command. This route visits the two of airfields used to fly the US 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division to Normandy on the night of the 5th/6th June 1944

The ride takes place on public roads. These are largely quiet country lanes; but, it does include some short steep climbs.

We are planning to stop at RAF Barkston, Fulbeck Craft Centre (for a café stop), and the former RAF Fulbeck.

You should bring yourself, a serviceable bike, and some basic tools to fix any minor mechanical issues. Helmets are advisable as is a form of payment for the café.

We never leave anyone behind