Thank you everybody!

As most of you will know, I have been away quite a lot recently and I have only got round to passing on the contents of this post card which arrived earlier this summer, from Dan and everyone in the Sustrans Nottingham office, saying a huge thank you to our White Peak group for "everything that [we] do to support our mission". Dan adds "You have a huge patch and are doing a great job!" This year has been the busiest yet since I took over in 2013 and it's nice to know that our efforts are so much appreciated. Since we did some signing very recently (see relevant post) on a new section of the NCN, we have increased our patch even further! (which reminds me that I need to update our map and distances some time) and with Himalayan Balsam pulling and bulb planting we have branched out into new horticultural activities! So could I also pass on my thanks to the group for making all this happen. Thank you! By the way, watch out for news on bulb planting ...

Monsal Trail social ride 16 October 2016

There will be a social ride on Sunday 16 October for members of our group and those of our neighbouring Sustrans volunteer ranger groups. The start will be outside the Crispin pub in Great Longstone and the route will include the upper part of the Monsal Trail. Meet at 09:45 for a prompt 10:00 start. 

East Midland Cycling Forum 15 October 2016

This annual event will take place this year in Chesterfield, and will be on Saturday 15 October, starting at 10:30. It will follow the usual format of these events with speakers in the morning, a networking lunch followed by a ride around local infrastructure. The event will be held at the Stonegravels Parish Centre, Sheffield Road, Chesterfield S41 7JH.

The agenda:

Led ride from railway station leaving at 10.15 for 10.30 start

Welcome by Chesterfield Cycle Campaign

Launch of a new Campaign in Dronfield - progress so far - Tracey Conroy

Bennerley Viaduct - Kieran Lee

Leicester Cycling - Andy Salkeld

Progress in the Peak District - Chris Allen

Infrastructure progress in Chesterfield - Alastair Meikle

Sustrans - Dave Clasby

Other campaign groups 

Close - Hugh McClintock

Lunch

Ride finishing at the railway station

Lunch will be provided by Chesterfield Cycle Campaign with donations on the day. We do need to know how many to cater for, please register for your free place using the link below and select your dietary requirements.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/east-midland-cycle-forum-meeting-2016-tickets-27036540019?aff=ehomecard

Signing the Route 549 missing link!

NCR549 runs Etwall to Uttoxeter and from Waterhouses to Sparklow (via the Manifold Trail). Our group will be signing the section between Uttoxeter and Waterhouses for the first time on Thursday 29 September. Meet 10:00 Costa Coffee, Tesco's, Uttoxeter.  

Second successful public ride of 2016

Our group's second led ride for the public took place last Sunday (3 July) on the Monsal Trail and was a total success. Meeting at Hassop station, Robin took us through the "ABC" bicycle safety checks before handing over to David Gray who gave us an excellent commentary as we rode northwards on the Midland Railway route which is now the familiar cycle trail. We passed through three of the long, lit tunnels and stopped at a number of points of interest, where David explained features of the railway, lime kilns and history of the surrounding area. We stopped for an ice cream at Millers Dale station, before heading back to Hassop. 

Ride on the new MUP Thursday 30 June 2016

Today six of us met (slight oversimplification) at Matlock railway station to investigate progress on the multi-user path from Matlock to Rowsley, and to ride over as much of it as possible. Work was being carried out on Phase 1: the building of a wall at the end of the railway path near Old Rd. The guys working there kindly let us go by and gave us the information that the next stage of this - a path over a field adjacent to Old Rd - will start next week, which is great news. Going over the level crossing at this point, we eventually found our way out onto Old Rd near the Red House carriage museum. Phase 2 goes through the Whitworth Institute gardens, where we saw a heron which has been resident there for a few weeks now. A section of path within the grounds was started some weeks ago but left incomplete, waiting for the tenant farmer who rents this piece of land to give his blessing to the project! We rode over Phase 3, completed a few months ago, where some workers were putting final touches to the fencing by the side of Peak Rail's Rowsley South station car park, to the recycling center and from there over Phase 4 though the woods to Rowsley. We chatted to the guy in charge of the building of the boardwalk and he gave us a lot of useful information about this and the MUP generally. In his estimation, the boardwalk should be finished in about 2.5 weeks (more good news!) In Rowsley, we visted briefly the church and then walked over the railway viaduct over the Derwent, which hopefully one day will be used to carry the cycle path towards the Monsal Trail. After lunch at Caudwell Mill in Rowsley, we returned by much the same route. Pics show (L2R): Melody, Ian and Mavis/me, Catherine and David at the 'Arc' level crossing. Thanks everyone for coming!

MONSAL TRAIL CYCLE RIDE SUNDAY 3 JULY 2016

A reminder that the second led public ride of 2016 will take place on the Monsal Trail on Sunday 3 July. This will be similar to our last ride, on the Manifold Valley Trail, and will be a leisurely ride of approximately 3 hours, guided by members of our own group. 

It will be suitable for cyclists of all ages and abilities, and will include a number of stops with explanations given on the history and heritage associated with the trail by our own volunteers. 

This is a "there-and-back" ride of easy cycling along the former Midland Railway line, passing through the 4 long, lit tunnels (bring bike lights if you have them) that were re-opened in 2011, 2 shorter tunnels, and including a number of stations, as well as some stunning scenery.

The route is mostly flat and traffic free. Cycle hire is available at Hassop station. Light refreshments are available at Hassop station, Millers Dale station and Blackwell Mill cycle hire.

Meet at Hassop station car park at 10:15 for a 10:30 start. Return by 13:30.