Many of the group have been suffering from withdrawal symptoms and as the annual ‘Great Notts Cycle Ride ‘was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 we decided to plan our own 50 mile route.
John Saunders and Terry Hill both veterans of many cycle tours mulled over various options and came up with the suggestion to ride to Alvaston Park which is just outside Derby. The outward route via Eastwood followed the Erewash canal towards Trent Lock and then onto Alvaston .The return route was via national cycle route 6 which runs from London to the Lake District. Locally the route passes through Clumber Park, Sherwood Forest, Sherwood Pines, Old Clipstone, Mansfield, Rainworth, Blidworth, Ravenshead, Newstead Abbey Hucknall, Bulwell and Nottingham. In total we covered 52 miles in humid conditions.
One of our popular local refreshment stops is Rumbletums Café in Kimberley. This is both a Community Café and a supported training project for young people with a learning disability, some of whom may also have an additional physical disability. The u3a crisp packet collection is for Rumbletums and for this ride we agreed to donate a minimum of £5 each to help to support their projects. (To date £120 with more to come)
We were joined on the ride by some family and friends and at the end of the day after hours in the saddle we really did appreciate why cowboys walk this way….
Half way there at the lunch stop in Alvaston Park
David Rose and John Saunders