LOCATION
(Click on
to see a map of the start location.)
Draycote Water, Off A426, South of Dunchurch, Near Rugby.
If you travel from the North via M1, you are unable to turn off onto the M45. Exit at junction 18 instead.
Coming along the A426 from Rugby, Draycote Water is signposted (white on brown) as you reach the lights in the centre on Dunchurch. Continue straight through the lights, over the M45. The first entrance on your right is not the one you want. The next entrance about 1km further along is signed and obvious as you reach it.
DISTANCE
One circuit is 8km.
SURFACE/DESIGNATION
Mostly good tarmac. A few easily avoided ripples and tree roots on the side of the reservoir opposite the Visitor Centre. Alongside the dam sections the road is quite flat. Through the trees the road is nicely undulating. After heavy rain there can be some gravel on the dam road on the north west part of the circuit.
SAFETY DETAILS
Pedestrians and licenced fishermen in slow moving cars are the main hazards.
FACILITIES
At the visitor centre there is car parking, toilets, cafe and shop. Around the reservoir there are Portaloos
OTHER DETAILS
Saturday is quieter than Sunday.
The flat sections are perfect for tuition.
The rolling sections are good for hill climbing practice.
The cafe is good.
The weather is variable.
David Stanton,
Manchester Cross Country Ski Club