Arnhem 80 Cycle Ride

To mark the 80th Anniversary of Operation Market Garden, join this community organised cycle ride passing through various locations linked to the local military aviation heritage.

This September marks the 80th Anniversary of Operation Market Garden, the audacious plan to shorten the war by seizing key bridges in the Netherlands by an airborne operation by the First Allied Airborne Army (Operation Market) in order to enable a rapid advance into the Netherlands by the British 2nd Army (Operation Garden). The British 1st Airborne Division, 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade and the 52nd Wing of the US IX Troop Carrier Command were based in and around the area and elements of the US 82nd Airborne Division (based in neighbouring Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire) flew to the Netherlands from local airfields.

To commemorate the Anniversary there will be three challenging cycle rides, each focussing on one of 1st Airborne Division’s parachute brigades and their departure airfields of their parachute elements on the anniversary of their deployments. The rides will pass through some base locations, the areas they trained in, and departure airfields. Use the links below to find out additional important details.

• Tuesday 17th September 2024, 09:30: Starting from Grantham Guildhall, St Peter’s Hill. This ride will be 96 miles and will take approximately 7 hours.
• Wednesday 18th September 2024, 9:30: Staring from Melton Borough Council, Melton Mobray. This ride will be 79.6 miles and will take approximately 6 hours.
• Saturday 21st September, 10:00: Starting from Stamford Leisure Pool. This ride will be 75.5 miles and will take approximately 6 hours.

The rides take place on public roads. These are largely quiet country lanes; but, it does include some short steep climbs and some sections of busier roads, with stops along the way at local cafés for short breaks.

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.

For more information and to sign up to ride visit the links listed above.