Work-morning dates fixed into 2016

After carrying out a survey of people's preferences, it seems that the most popular day for our regular work-mornings is Thursday. I propose therefore the last Thursday in every month, which gives the following dates.

For 2015: 26 Nov, 31 Dec; for 2016: 28 Jan, 25 Feb, 31 Mar, 28 Apr, 26 May, 30 Jun, 28 Jul, 25 Aug, 29 Sep, 27 Oct, 24 Nov, 29 Dec. We should use these dates for signing and other work, social rides (for our group - not the public) and for various training sessions, such as ride leader training. 
Generally expect that a work morning will last from 10:00 to 13:00, although these might change in function of a long ride to the venue or a long job! It may also be the case that from time to time we will have to cancel a workday, if for example the weather is bad or we simply having nothing planned! Remember, we now have twelve sessions in the year, which is already more than we have had per year over the last two years! 
Could you look out for problems of signage or other matters in your immediate area (or elsewhere on our patch) and let me know what you think needs sorting, please. The main signing jobs have been done now, so look out for torn, worn, missing or vandalized patches; also places where "this way to" or route numbers in brackets would be an improvement. Also, consider this: signage may be very good once you are on a route, but what if you are not? How do you get onto it? Where are the signs which tell you which way to go? Lastly, think about where we could put up destination patches. These can be ordered from Bristol, but more of that later.
Note that rides for the public, a programme of which we are still trying to get off the ground for 2016, will not fall within these dates, but are likely to be on Sundays, or maybe in the evenings. 

White Peak Loop: an update

It seems that the A6 bridge will not be built in the near future, out of the Department of Transport money which was awarded to the Pedal Peak Phase II project in 2013. However, work on the sections of proposed trail from Matlock to Rowsley has already begun. I had a look today at the footpath between Church Lane, Darley Dale, and the Peal Rail car park at Rowsley South station, and took a few photos. The surface of this path is in a variety of states of redevelopment at the moment, as you can see. We have been told that work on the whole stretch should be finished by March 2016. After that, we can think about signing it! (National Route 680)

Route 680)

FAMILY RIDE FROM CARSINGTON WATER SUNDAY 25 OCTOBER 2015

As a celebration of 20 years of the National Cycle Network, there will be a ride for families starting at Carsington Water at 11 am till about 3 pm, led by our group. There will be a lunch break at a suitable venue. The ride will include at least one of our local traffic-free trails in the Peak District, as well as some quiet roads, and will take in some breathtaking Derbyshire scenery. Meet at 10:45 am for a prompt start at 11:00 outside the Carsington Water Visitor Center and finish back at Carsington around 15:00 or earlier. Please come along and give it your support!

Jim Hudson

It is with great sadness that I have to tell you that Jim passed away last Friday, the day of his eightieth birthday.  

Jim was a stalwart member of our White Peak Group. He tackled problems tenaciously and always with meticulous attention to detail. He was always well-organized and his contributions were welcome. On top of all this, he was a thoroughly nice bloke! His presence will be greatly missed. 

Jim first contacted me in connection with a multi-user path in Ashbourne about two years ago: a recalcitrant developer was dragging his heels over building this path and Jim wanted to know what Sustrans knew about this, particularly as it would provide a safer alignment of Route 68 than that which follows the busy A515. Following a discussion about this, I persuaded Jim to join our ranger group, and he subsequently sold his idea to our regional officers. He and I did a couple of signing jobs together on Route 68 between Ashbourne and Etwall, and he also attended most of the group’s other workdays and rides, having planned at least one of the latter earlier this year. He also organized successful meetings and workdays with his fellow rangers in the Ashbourne area. 

Jim was great company on a week-long ride in north-east England in the spring of this year. The last time I saw Jim was during the Tour of Britain event at Matlock less than two weeks ago, an event into which he had put a lot of effort. 

Jim's family have given us the following funeral arrangements: 
2.40 pm on Wednesday 7 October 2015 at the Crematorium in Derby. No black to be worn and no flowers please. There will be a collection for the Air Ambulance - as Jim had the benefit of their service when he had a cycling accident.

Tour of Britain

A few pictures of the TOB going through Matlock

A few

Recording our activities

Hello everyone! Do you all record the activities that you take part in? Let me confess straight away that I have been rather tardy about this myself, but I've just started doing it as it is important to Sustrans. I quote here from the VolNet:

"Recording your activities will help us to improve the support we give you, promote the amazing things all our volunteers do, report back to our funders and seek new funding opportunities. Your volunteer co-ordinator or staff supervisor will view and collate your activity reports." 

Put everything down that you do for Sustrans - workdays (strictly, you should exclude time going to and from the workplace), meetings, events, public rides (but only include our own social rides if they include an element of work on our routes). You will need to log into your Volunteer Net account. Click here to go to there now. Next, go to "record your activity" and add the details. You will find it is very straightforward. You may find that some of your activities have already been logged by me or someone else, since we have to mention rangers that we worked with, so you may have very little extra to put in.

Tour of Britain event, Matlock

Last Friday, on a beautiful sunny day, our group staffed a stand in Hall Leys Park, Matlock, as part of a Tour of Britain celebration organized by Derbyshire Dales District Council. As well as our own members, we were aided by rangers from as far afield as Lichfield and Grantham. Dan Robertson kindly brought a gazebo and the Spin Art bicycle seen in the pictures below, which attracted many members of the public throughout this highly successful day. The Tour came through town shortly before 2 o'clock and was watched by large crowds.