Inaugural ride with Sheffield ranger group

 NCN 6 is still one of the main arterial routes running through England. It enters into Derbyshire, the Peak District and our region just to the west of Sheffield. We have cycled from the border point several times before to check the signage we are responsible for, but on this occasion we thought it would be appropriate to share the ride with colleagues from the Sheffield Sustrans ranger group.

Phil, David and I caught the Trans Penine train from Hope station into the centre of Sheffield where we met up with Sheffield volunteer ranger leader, Simon Geller and 3 of his volunteer rangers; John, David and Colin. It was soon apparent that their idea of  a work day is somewhat different to ours as they were not at all prepared for replacing the faded signage, which we encountered immediately we left the central station. I replaced a few red route numbers, but soon realised I would have none left for our own needs if I continued replacing them all. Simon led us on the circuitous route along NCN 6 towards the edge of the city and it became very clear it would be a massive exercise for somebody to refresh all the signage. 

The route took us right through the heart of the city, which is now even more pedestrianised than when I worked there a few years ago. It took us through a lovely community garden area, that I was completely unaware of, as well as the Euro's "fan zone". We eventually emerged at the top end of Endcliffe Park and started the lovely journey up the Porter Valley. Sheffield rangers are not familiar either with the idea of an early coffee stop, which we insisted upon having at the very pleasant Forge Dam cafe. From there it is not far before you are very clearly and visibly out of the city and into the lovely countryside around the city.  

Looking back towards the city we tried to spot the Humber Bridge 52 miles away to the east, but it was just a bit too hazy for us. 

From the viewpoint we travelled the mile or so to the Norfolk Arms where one of the Sheffield rangers peeled off and an early return home. The rest of us carried on into Derbyshire with renewed enthusiasm about replacing faded signage now we were back onto home turf. Simon peeled off at Burbage and I was certainly tempted to go with him and try out the (relatively) new gravel track from there down to Fox House. However, I resisted the temptation and the remaining 5 of us continued along the road under Stanage Edge, taking quite  a bit of time to replace missing signage at the critical points where it has been removed, or defaced (again!).

There was more missing signage at the start of the Thornhill trail, which we replaced but all of the signage we put in place a couple of years at the Thornhill car park was still  just as we had left it. We arrived into Hope around 2'ish and went to the lovely cafe for a well earned cup of tea and sandwich. 

Nice to meet up with the Sheffield volunteer rangers and replace missing signage on this wonderful route out of Sheffield into the Peak District.