Derby group - Sunday 22 April

Ilam

Five riders met at the Quad, what was a beautiful sunny morning. Margaret lead the ride with our first cafe stop at Denstone.  Now refuelled, we then made our way through Ellastone, Stanton, Cauldon, Stanshope towards Ilam.  We sat outside for lunch and witnessed the stunning views overlooking the gardens and hall looking towards Dovedale. (see photos)  It was well worth the wait after climbing all those hills!  In all we clocked well over 60 miles as we got back into Derby. A glorious day out, thanks Margaret.

Roger Sansum

Burton Group 25th March

Sunny ride to Shackerstone Station.

Yes, it was sunny. We headed out through Botany Bay and Linton Heath to join the cycleway from Swains Park to Spring Cottage. There are some quaint names around this part and the pink house and pink car at Linton Heath are even quainter. We left the trail at the National Forest Youth Hostel to avoid the muddy section and a short section of road took us to the morning stop at The Hub cafe in the Courtyard at Moira Furnace.
With a bit of time on hand we took to the dry trails of Donisthorpe Woodlands and although it may have seemed we were going round in circles we didn’t actually. We emerged to drop down to the lakes created by mining subsidence at Oakthorpe then continued through Measham and Snarestone to Shackerstone Station.
Some were sitting outside but we chose the cosy interior with its Victorian memorabilia and log and coal fire. Apart from weekends the tea room is also open on Wednesdays if you fancy a mid week visit.
The station was quiet with no trains running but that didn’t detract from the day. It is a charming example of a country branch line station.
I gave the club a chioce as to a direct route back or a quieter, longer route but there was no clear decision (or any decision) so I opted for the lanes with a few items to see and admire on the way back . These were the Sir John Moore School at Appleby Magna (a rather grand building and based on a design by Sir Christopher Wren), the Manor House at Austrey and the duck pond and cottages at Newton Regis. From there we returned through Seckington and by the daffodil filled churchyard at Lullington.

Ian Hill

11th March 2018

Derby Sunday group -Five go to Beauvale

We started out from the Quad (without Timmy) after a misty start to the day, en route to Spondon via the cycle path alongside the A52. Various detours are in place caused by the improvements to the carriageway around the Wyvern. Discovering we had lost two after crossing the Wyvern footbridge, our visitor Rui sprinted back to find that disaster had struck early for Mary with a rear tyre slashed by a shard of glass. Not a problem usually until it was discovered that that her Schrader valve pump was incompatible with the Presta valve inner tube. First timer and legend Melvin saved the day by changing the tube and offering the loan of an appropriate pump. It was starting to get warmer as we passed the gate to Locko Park (no quagmires for us today) through Stanley and ascend to West Hallam. A fast descent to Straws Bridge to pick up the Nutbrook Trail where Melvin was enquiring naively if we had finished the “moderately hilly” part of the ride. Ever the master of understatement I replied, “there is just a bit more”. The sun was starting to appear and the trail was fulfilling it’s description of a multiuser path. Walkers, runners, horses, mothers and cyclists all happily intermingled enjoying the fresh air and the absence of cars. The Nutbrook Coffee Shop looked busy as we passed without stopping after the delay with our earlier “technical”. Through the now abandoned car parks of the once thriving American Adventure Theme Park, we reached the Ilkeston Road where Rui was to depart for his return to Derby. Rui is Portugese (as in Rui da Costa 2013 World Professional Road Race champion) and came to the UK as an exchange veterinary student 15 years ago and stayed! He was riding a Bianchi race bike(10/10 for that) and was on the big ring for the whole ride. Happy memories! Four remained now as we sped down Long Lane into the Erewash valley with thoughts of the not too distant lunch stop helping to forget the climb up to the “attractive (?) birthplace” of the controversial Victorian writer, D H Lawrence. It was a relief to get through the town as traffic was very heavy but we were soon travelling up the pleasant valley road to our lunch destination. The rough approach track has been surfaced (a major improvement) and inside the tearooms, it was wall to wall with Mums. We had been allocated the annexe room but found it colder in there than out so we dined alfresco in 10.45? in warm sunshine watching the rare breed chickens playfully frolicking in a nearby field (more euphemism!). Wendy had joined us for lunch at Beauvale. She was on a recovery ride in her car after Three Fields ie to recover me as we had planned to visit Belper around teatime for one on Adrian Farmer’s excellent local history talks. The remaining three had been primed with the details of the return route via the Erewash Canal path and with Sara’s OS map to the fore, they departed for home.
So CTC DaB, iou 50% ride lead. Disappointing not to ride back as it was a very pleasant afternoon but that’s the busyness of retirement. Next stop Montenegro!
Pete Greenfield

October

Burton Group,  Wirksworth Stardisc

In October the Burton Group went to the Wirksworth Stardisc, an intriguing site high on the hill above the town. Leader Glen Corcoran had kindly given us some hill climbing practice beforehand on our route from coffee at the Flower Cafe at Ashbourne Market Place. Not that we have many hilly rides and it was worth it for the views and the descents. It was an easy start on the Tissington Trail to Tissington, then down to the ford and the climbs through Bradbourne and Bradbourne to roll along the tops to Wirksworth.
The Stardisc is up a little lane from the Market Place and what a surprise this quaint part of the town is with the jumble of stone cottages lining the road. A local recommended taking the left fork for the lesser of the climbs. Once up, there are views all round from the quarry behind to Alport Height across the Ecclesbourne valley in which the town lies.
I mentioned before that the Stardisc is a celestial amphitheatre and 21st Century stone circle. It has astronomical line-ups including sunrises at the various times of year if you want to get up there a bit early. In the circle is a depiction of the stars and we found all the constellations of the Zodiac after Steve Bloor wanted to find his.
Lunch was taken in the cafe carriage at Wirksworth Station and we were made most welcome by the preserved railway volunteers. It was a stiff climb out of the town but what a view over the length of a shimmering Carsington Water, a section of road not done for some time. Return was through the lanes of Hulland Ward and Brailsford.

Ian Hill

5th Oct

Thursday group,  Froghall Wharf

Seven riders left Doveridge Post Office café on Thursday for a lovely autumnal ride to Froghall Wharf. Despite the breezy and occasionally threatening weather we (mostly) stayed dry and waterproofs were not required. This undulating ride along country lanes and quiet roads gave us some stunning views over the Staffordshire valleys. Excitement built up when we inadvertently started herding a group of cows along a single-track road. Fortunately a motorist took over the cowherd role and we followed on behind until the cows decided to explore a gate into a field and we were able to pass safely.
The long downhill into Froghall was much appreciated, as was the excellent lunch at Hetty’s teashop, next to the wharf and impressive old limekilns. The café was very busy and we were lucky to get a table.
The return route initially retraced our steps –the disco hit “The Only Way is Up” certainly applies to Froghall, and can be hummed on the hill out if you have the breath!
We returned to Doveridge via Oakamoor, the Churnet Valley road and Croxden Abbey with Martin and Roman splitting off in Rocester to return more directly home.
The afternoon tea stop back at Doveridge was enjoyed by the remaining 5 riders and enabled us to miss a passing shower.
The official ride was 32 miles and approximately 2300 feet of climb, but everybody added to this total by using public transport, parking away from the village or cycling from home.

Caroline Fleming

24th August

Thursday Group – Ramblers Retreat

 A slight delay in starting from Meynell Langley Tearooms was caused by conflicting information of the opening times between their website and the Google search result (note to ride leader always ring beforehand)
Ah well onwards & downwards. 14 descended Lodge Lane at speed (bad luck for the hardy souls who had staggered up earlier) and then off at a more sedate pace towards Mercaston.  The quiet lanes took us on a switchback route through Moorend to the A52. Very busy today and it took us a while to cross with the volume of traffic.
Safely over, we passed through the picturesque village of Osmaston  and on to  Wyaston Lane (NCN68) to descend  Dobbinhorse Lane. Momentarily joining the A515 and then across cross the verge into the back lane leading to Clifton. Taking a left turn at the crossroads we followed the road along the beautiful valley of the River Dove with the Weaver Hills on the horizon to Norbury, over the Dove and through  to Lower Ellastone.
If we had thought the route had been hilly so far, wait until we turned off the B5032 for Marlpit Lane.  There was much crunching as the lowest gears were meshed to attack the initial ramp. The OS map shows the lane gains around 60m in less than a kilometre. Somewhat misleading, as there are a couple of “false flats” in there. We reached the top (eventually) and took the road signposted to Farley. I’ve never been to Alton Towers but can imagine the rides are based (but not as pretty) on the road through Wootton Park. We arrived by the main entrance to the “attraction” and with the thought of lunch in mind, the quickest route to our destination was taken – the exhilarating descent into Alton. The kph on the Garmin were a blur but concentration on the road was required especially on that very “sketchy” left hander where the road surface felt just like a “rocky road”.
Turning into Red Road, we meandered in dappled sunlight alongside the gurgling Churnet. Our lunch stop reached in a kilometre. The sun was really warm when off the shaded road, so we dined al fresco, some under a canopy, others out in the bright light. Rumour is that the café could be closing with the retirement of the proprietor. Hopefully not, for it is a gem.
The stiff climb out of the valley held no attraction after a hearty meal so the planned exit was along the Churnet Valley path. Oh dear, a bit squelchy for anyone putting a foot down but the leader had said ”hopefully dry” so complaints fell on deaf ears. Out of the mire at Denstone Station, we moved on through Rocester, passing another of Arkwright’s Mill by the Dove bridge.
The plan had been to head towards Marston Montgomery but too early a right turn saw us visiting the delights of Abbotsholme School. No point in lingering as Rosemary was still holidaying in Norfolk. A quick retrace and we were back en route for Doveridge and onto our tea stop at Sudbury Courtyard café. Excellent tea, coffee, cake and “to die for” ice cream. All with 10% discount for cyclists. RESULT!
Energy replenished, we were off back to Derby by our various routes.
A lovely ride in late summer sunshine. I recorded 99.9kms door to door (but resisted the temptation to increase it!) so the 65miles proved a reasonable estimate.

Pete Greenfield