Top 10 Best Bike Rental Services in North West Leicestershire

Cycling Country in the National Forest

North West Leicestershire has quietly become one of the most rewarding cycling destinations in the East Midlands. The National Forest, planted across former coalfield land over recent decades, has matured into genuine woodland threaded with traffic-free trails. Reclaimed colliery sites provide gradients and technical terrain unusual for lowland England, and the Ashby Canal towpath offers flat, scenic riding for families and casual cyclists.

Bike rental has grown alongside this. Visitors arriving by car or public transport, families wanting to try cycling together, and travellers using East Midlands Airport all create steady demand for well-maintained hire bikes, and the district's operators have responded with a genuinely broad fleet.

Types of Bike Available

The rental market covers several categories. Hybrid bikes suit canal towpaths, forest surfaced trails and general leisure riding. Mountain bikes, both hardtail and full suspension, are the right choice for rougher forest singletrack and reclaimed quarry terrain. Electric bikes have transformed accessibility, letting riders of very different fitness levels ride together comfortably and making longer routes achievable.

Family provision includes children's bikes in a range of sizes, trailer bikes, child seats and towable trailers. Some operators also offer gravel bikes for mixed-surface touring, adapted cycles for riders with disabilities, and cargo bikes for practical local use.

Top 10 Best Bike Rental Services in North West Leicestershire

1. National Forest Cycle Hire — The district's flagship rental operation, with a large, well-maintained fleet covering hybrids, mountain bikes and electric models, plus route maps and trailhead access.

2. Conkers Bike Hire — Family-focused rental based at a major visitor attraction, strong on children's bikes, trailers and child seats, with easy access to gentle traffic-free routes.

3. Ashby Canal Cycle Rental — Specialises in towpath riding with comfortable hybrids and electric bikes, ideal for flat, scenic outings suitable for all ages.

4. Coalfield Mountain Bike Centre — Serious off-road hire with quality full-suspension machines, skills coaching and guiding across the district's technical reclaimed terrain.

5. Ashby Electric Bikes — Dedicated electric bike specialists offering half-day and full-day hire, with battery range advice and charging support for longer routes.

6. Forest Trail Bike Hire — Located close to woodland trail networks, offering flexible hire periods, helmet and lock inclusion, and knowledgeable route recommendations.

7. Measham Cycle Company — A local bike shop offering hire alongside repairs and servicing, useful for riders who want expert setup and adjustment before heading out.

8. Whitwick Adventure Bikes — Combines rental with guided rides and group sessions, popular with corporate groups, clubs and visiting parties.

9. Ibstock Family Cycle Rental — Affordable family packages including tag-alongs, trailers and child seats, with practical advice on routes suitable for young children.

10. Donington Bike Station — Convenient hire for visitors and airport travellers, offering short-duration rental and secure storage for luggage while you ride.

Where to Ride

The National Forest network offers the best variety, with waymarked routes ranging from easy surfaced paths through mature plantations to technical singletrack on former spoil heaps. The Ashby Canal towpath provides a flat, largely traffic-free corridor with good scenery and frequent pub stops. Reclaimed colliery sites around Coalville and Whitwick deliver surprising climbs and descents for the region.

Quiet country lanes connect the villages and make excellent road riding, though care is needed on faster stretches near the main road network. Many operators publish route suggestions graded by distance and difficulty, which is the quickest way to find something matched to your group.

Pricing and Booking

Typical hire is priced by half day, full day or multi-day period, with electric bikes commanding a premium over conventional models. Most rates include a helmet and a lock, though not all do, so confirm this when booking. Deposits are usually required, taken by card pre-authorisation.

Book ahead for weekends, school holidays and fine weather, since fleets are finite and electric bikes in particular sell out early. Group bookings should be arranged well in advance so that the right sizes are available.

What to Check Before Riding

Take a few minutes at handover. Check that the saddle height is correct, that both brakes work firmly, that tyres are properly inflated and that gears shift cleanly. For electric bikes, confirm the charge level, the expected range on your intended route and how the assistance modes work. Ask what happens if the battery runs out or the bike develops a fault mid-ride, and note the operator's contact number.

Carry water, a basic repair kit if one is offered, and weather-appropriate layers. Forest trails hold moisture long after rain, so expect mud in the shadier sections even on dry days.

Sustainability and Health

Bike rental supports low-carbon tourism, keeping visitor traffic off local lanes and spreading spending to village cafés, pubs and shops. It also lowers the barrier to cycling, allowing people to try before investing in equipment. For residents, longer-term hire and subscription schemes offer a practical route into everyday cycling without the upfront cost of an electric bike.

Final Thoughts

North West Leicestershire rewards cyclists more than its profile suggests, combining mature forest, reclaimed industrial terrain and a peaceful canal corridor within a compact area. The district's rental operators cover everything from family outings to demanding off-road riding, with electric options making the landscape accessible to almost anyone. Book ahead, match the bike to the terrain, and take time over the handover checks before you set off.