May 31, 2011 -

I rode this route in poor weather (heavy rain) but still found it really enjoyable. I didn't see any police, but would imagine it's a favourite one for their money raising tactics, as in the dry this road would be glorious. Some lovely bends, great scenery and some nice villages to pass through. Definitely recommended.

August 30, 2008 -

Since my last comments the part of this route that is in Lincolnshire ( from Bourne to Colsterworth) has been designated as an area for the disgraceful stealth campaign , operated by the Lincolnshire Police.This means hidden mobile cameras and extra unmarked cars and motorcycles patrol it quite regularly. They dont seem to be about in the very early morning or late evening but thye have had their effect with everybody looking over their shoulders all the time . Be warned , they are genuinely trying to catch bikers in particular.As I said , disgraceful.
On the plus side part of the route just near Melton has been re-surfaced and now rivals Brands Hatch for smoothness !

February 25, 2007 -

This is my regular route to work at Melton but as I travel from Bourne I cannot comment on the section from Spalding. The road was quite well surfaced about 4 years ago but is now deteriorating rapidly. There are many sections with grooves in the surface ( probably from motorcycles !) and the whole route can get very dodgy in wet or damp weather due to gravel washing in from the banked sections. It isn't too bad in the dry but the patch-mending that has gone on can make corner entry a bit of a lottery. The worst bit is just on the exit from Colsterworth and the slippiest is the bends through Buckminster. From Bourne you have the worst of the patching but it is generally avoidable and the bends on this section are the most testing,be aware of the entrance to Bourne woods. Past Grimthorpe and the road widens and has several long straightish sections for some decent speed , there are some exceptional bends and swoops just outside Grimthorpe but it is worth keeping an eye out for deer along here , early mornings and late evenings in particular.I have seen speed traps quite often in Corby-Glen as there is a fire-station and a school so cool it through there , beyond Corby-Glen is some of the fastest sections but this also has the deepest grooves in the surface ! Very fast up the hill towards the Colsterworth roundabout on the A1. Another section to be mindful of deer ,however. The roundabout can be a bit of a pain , trucks will often plunge straight over in front of you ( too busy on their mobiles/eating yorkies/using the CB radio)just beyond the next village is the longest straight. Between Buckminster and Coston the road opens out and is just brilliant with nice bends and a great surface , this continues more-or-less all the way to Melton but the surface is markedly poorer in the small villages, particularly Saxby.This is a shame because they all have really testing right-angle bends in them. Oh well. From Coston to Saxby the road is narrower with high hedges and quite poor visibility as a consequence. This also coincides with a lot of quick ups and downs so treat this bit with respect .After Saxby is another highly involved section with good visibility but a lot of side-roads joining just around bends, this is my favourite bit with the complicated series of bends just near Melton providing the grand finale. I have a different route for the weekends to avoid the 'weekend warriors' but I noticed a drop in numbers last year or maybe they're just not catching me anymore. Tuesday nights were also a popular meeting-up night at near Bourne Woods.

January 25, 2005 -

Lots of hair pins and brilliant corners for testing ground clearance ;)

December 24, 2004 -

This section starts off open and quite straight,then becomes twistier on the way into Melton. Some poor visibility due to hedgerows so be aware of hazards.