A Launchpad for the Liberation of Europe | A D-Day Bike Ride | Part 2

We will leave Grantham up Spittlegate Hill before turning onto Gorse Lane where we shall pass through the site of the former RAF Harlaxton. We will make our way to our first stop via Saltby and Sproxton to visit the memorial on the airfield near Buckminster Gliding Club. We will then head to Twyford Wood that was established on the site of RAF North Witham airfield and then onto Corby Glen for a café stop. We will return to Grantham via country lanes passing close to the former RAF Folkingham.

We are planning to return in time for an illustrative talk at the Guildhall Arts Centre: ‘First In: US Parachute Pathfinders in World War II’ by aviation heritage specialist Brian Riley. This needs to be booked separately on ticket tailor at this link: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/southkestevendistrictcouncil/1246074

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 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division as well as the airfield used to fly the pathfinders of bother the US 82nd and 101st Airborne Dvisions 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. There are some short stretches of busier roads on the leg to/from Twyford Wood.

We are planning to stop at the former RAF Saltby (home of 314th Troop Carrier Group) former RAF North Witham (where the first troop carrying aircraft for D-day took off) Corby Glen (for a café stop), and close to the former RAF Folkingham (home of the 313th Troop Carrier Group). We are planning to return in time for an illustrative talk at the Museum: ‘First In: US Parachute Pathfinders in World War II’ by aviation heritage specialist Brian Riley. The talk starts at 2pm and needs to be booked separately on ticket tailor at this link: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/southkestevendistrictcouncil/1246074

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