Summer off road adventure

What a beautiful day for our July work day! After probably the best pre-ride coffee ever at David and Catherine's house (lovely date loaf and ginger biscuits) we set out from Warslow along quiet lanes to Longnor. From there we had a lovely down hill whiz to Crowdecote and the start of our off-road adventure. 

The track was a bit tricky at times, but in such glorious weather we were all happy to be in the big outside 

Doesn't that look fun? .... and not a single Sustrans route sign to replace in sight!

Eventually we reached Pilsbury castle and after surveying our kingdom from the top we had a bit of gate trouble before being able to move on

If you know the gated road from Pilsbury to Hartington then you'll know how lovely a route it is. It is also part of NCN 549 and so technically we were then on official business, and not just out on a work day "jolly"

We arrived a little early for lunch at the YHA but this gave us the chance to sit out and enjoy their lovely gardens in the warm summer sunshine. 

After a lovely lunch stop we carried on along NCN549 towards Berresford Dale and tested out the new gravel path into the Dale itself. A magnificent improvement but, with the contacts I thought we had with Peak Park, I would have hoped they would have contacted us about providing regular maintenance. Heavy rains have already started to create destructive channels into the surface. Such a pity, but I will contact them about doing some remedial work, even at this late stage. 

Thankfully we did manage to find some vegetation to cut back and some signs to replace during the afternoon, which gave complete justification for our pretence of this being a work day. 

Rather than follow NCN549 we took another cross-country lane which eventually took us up to Wetton and then down to Weags Bridge and the Manifold Trail. From down in the valley we had quite a steep climb back up to Warslow, with Maldwyn setting a quick pace for us all to follow; mostly envious by this time of his electrical assistance. 

Many thanks to David and Cathrine for organising the route and for providing such incredible hospitality at the start and end of our ride. Pity we couldn't all stay for an evening of croquet, but perhaps next time? Clare, Naomi, Maldwyn and Philip made up the rest of our group. Thanks to all for making it such an enjoyable and successful day out. 

Next work day scheduled for Monday 7 August when I will be trying to organise a route that takes in Bennerley Visaduct. (Please note: We will have to look to change our October work day from Mon 2 October to 9 October as David and Catherine are away, and they are organising it.

 

5 Pits Trail - re-signing mission of NCN 67

 Another day when we ventured out of our area and into the lands just east of the M1along the Nottinghamshire/ Derbyshire border. 

Today, under Maldwyn's leadership and guidance we were tasked with putting in place almost a complete set of signage along the entire 7 mile length of the 5 Pits Trail,  from Grassmoor Country Park to the end of the trail near to Blackwell. Quite what happened to the original signage is unclear and no one seems able to answer the question either as to why NCN 67 finishes at Grassmoor, before reappearing in Chesterfield as a link to the Trans Penine Trail. 

We started the day with a very welcome coffee at the delightful "Claire's" cafe, just outside the boundary of the park in Grassmoor itself. Here we may have learned that the 5 Pits trail was created by Derbyshire County Council in 1989, following more or less the route of the Great Central Railway. The line closed in 1967 but part of its purpose had been to transport coal from the 5 collieries of Tibshelf, Holmewood, Pilsley, Grassmoor and Williamthorpe, which was the last to close in 1970. 

Much of the area also had opencast mining and so the landscape of today is very different from that of 50 years ago as old pit buildings have disappeared and spoil heaps have been transformed into great wildlife and ecological habitats. As we put our signs onto gateposts at Locko Lane we could only imagine the colossal structure that would once have towered high above us. 

Progress along the trail was extremely slow as every junction had to be signed. The main 5 Pits trail is signed by Derbyshire CC, but it is not always clear as to which way to go. On site committee meetings became commonplace as we debated amongst ourselves as to where the best places for the signs would be, once we had agreed which the correct path actually was. 

We did n't quite make it to the end of the trail by lunchtime but finished up munching our sandwiches overlooking the delightful Tibshelf Ponds. The tranquility of the location spoilt only by the drum of the M1 a very short distance away. We realised whilst we sat there that these are not actually on NCN 67, although they do sit on one of the feeder arms of the 5 Pits trail. First job after lunch was to change the signs to correct the mistake we had made. 

Just after the ponds the 5 Pits trail merges into the Silverhill Trail, and NCN 67 carries on a little way along this before it too reaches its terminus in the middle of nowhere. 

To mix things up a bit on the return leg we took the Holmewood/ Williamthorpe link back to Grassmoor CP. A long day, and still a bit of follow up work to do but overall a very successful, and enjoyable day. Thanks to David, Catherine, Maldwyn, David S, Andrew, Peter and Philip for a great team effort. 

Brian Edward Raine 1940- 2023

 

What a great day on which we went to say our goodbyes to Brian. Although there was a chill nip in the bright Spring afternoon, the sun was shining brightly and there was n't a cloud in the sky as we laid him to rest alongside his wife , Anne. 

It was most humbling that a significant part of the eulogy (delivered by his son, Gavin) not only focussed on his life-long love of cycling, but that after the death of his wife he took up this interest again, specifically through his local Sustrans group. Gavin said he really loved being part of our White Peak Ranger group, being out in the countryside, helping with maintenance & signage as well as being with the friendly other rangers in our group. I feel really pleased that we were able to provide him with such pleasure at a time when life was difficult for him, following the recent death of his wife. 

Farewell Brian. 

The hills were alive with the sounds of happy cyclists

 With beautiful February sunshine to accompany us, we ventured to the northern most limits of our region for this month's work day. The format for these get togethers is changing a little and the emphasis is definitely moving towards a higher level of social interaction, and less focus on work directly linked to the national cycle network.! That is absolutely fine. We have invested a lot of time over recent years to ensure our 200kms of track are well maintained and signed, so now we are totally justified in treating ourselves to months when we go out together for the enjoyment of a ride in areas that few of us know very well. 

We met for morning coffee and then Clare lead us on this ride, which initially took us along the side of the canal out of Whaley Bridge to the Buxworth canal basin. Here we passed canal boats moored up with wood smoke rising gently from their chimneys and then lingering in the frosty cold air hanging over the water. From the basin we cycled along the Tramway towards Chinley, which proved a little challenging in places, but which has the potential to be a great route. Today we had  a most impressive sized group, bolstered by the latest recruits to our own team, Philip and Gill, as well as a guest rider (John) joining us from theSheffield ranger team. David and Catherine, David S, Maldwyn and Peter made up the rest of our group.

Part of the purpose of today's ride was to look at some of the proposed options to link NCN 6 on the western side of the Pennines to Castleton on the other side, where it currently comes to a sudden end. Finding a suitable route out of Castleton will be difficult, but once off Rushup Edge and descending down towards Chinley it would become a very attractive link. We didn't venture all the way up to Rushup Edge, but we did go half way. We decided against the main road option and instead tackled the short steep climb out of Wash to a poing half-way up to the edge. What  a lovely quiet road with fabulous views? There was a bit of bike pushing by the non e-bikers but I don't think it was long enough to spoil the ride for anyone.

We descended down into Chapel en le Frith and then on the old (not too busy) Manchester Road back to the outskirts of Whaley. Here we joined NCN680 and started the climb on the road towards Buxton. we may have just about managed a mile on the NCN before we veered off it and headed towards Ferneligh and Errwood reservoirs. Unfortunately we didn't find the need to replace any route signs at all on the short section of official cycle route, as they were all in good order. 

Clare found a lovely spot for us, next to the water's edge, to eat our sandwiches in the warm(ish) early afternoon sunshine. It was great to see such a large group of volunteers out enjoying such a pleasant day. After lunch we continued our ride up the Goyt valley but with limited options if we had carryied on to the top, we turned round just before reaching the Derbyshire Bridge and headed back into Whaley.

It is a very long time since we have had a group of 10 riders out on a work day event but it was all just about perfect today. Much of the route allowed us to ride side by side so we could chat with one another and, although there were a few more hills than we would normally do, we mostly saw these as a challenge rather than a chore. On such a beautiful day as today has been who was going to complain when the views (and the company) were as stunning as they were. 

Next work day planned for Friday 10 March when we are scheduled to help Marion with the pre-Spring cut back at Rowsley sidings. It may be that we will not be required for this and, if that is so, then I am sure we can fit something else into the schedule. 

Accessing the upper Peak areas and Ladybower dams by rail

On 11 January I met with members of the Sheffield Sustrans ranger team, representatives from Northern Rail and Helen Carrington, the trails officer at Peak District National Park (PDNP). 

We met at Bamford Station to walk up to Thornhill Car Park and look at signing options to increase awareness of the option to use the train to bridge the current gap in NCN6 between the Hope Valley and Stockport. At present there is no possibility of a viable option to create a purpose built, safe cycle route out of Castleton and over the lower end of the Pennines. 

 As we walked I reinforced the existing signage and added a few extra signs to direct cyclists from the Sheffield bound platform towards the start of the Thornhill trail. 

 I was surprised at just how well  the signage that we put in place 4 or 5 years ago had survived. Whilst the signage at the end of the Thornhill trail, onto NCN 6 was quite clear, the position for those travelling away from the dams was not quite so good; so I added a few extra signs

The purpose of visiting the Thornhill car park was to look at how we might alert cyclists to the fact that NCN6 terminates at Castleton, and there is currently no safe way to reconnect with it until Romiley, using tracks or roads. Therefore we would like to promote actively the use of trains between Bamford and Romily to complete the link in the cycling network. 

We think that an information board at the car park, as well as smaller notices on the gates alongside the road would help draw atention to cyclists of the rail option. Appropriate signs at both Bamford and Romiley stations would help to promote the idea as well. An example of the sort of information board we envisage, and where we would site it are shown below. 

Northern Rail seem to be fully on board with supporting the idea and PDNP already have the Thornhill trail route promoted on their web pages. https://www.visitpeakdistrict.com/trails/hope-valley-cycle-routes-upper-derwent-valley The wording on the sign will need to be concise, with a QR code leading to more explanatory text and further work will be done to consider this.

As well as making it possible through this initiative to continue on NCN6 through to Gtr Manchester, we wish to improve the sustainable transport offer in the Hope Valley. Working with partners we want to: create a sustainable transport hub around a station. Bamford would seem very suitable for this because:- 

·         Trains from Sheffield and Manchester arrive at approximately the same time. Service frequencies are likely to be increased once the Hope Valley upgrade is complete.

·         The Thornhill Trail offers a route to Labybower as well as a link to NCN6.

·         There is an off-road cycle track to Hathersage and this is due to be extended to Hope and Castleton.

·         Bike hire is available at the Bike Garage as well as Fairholmes

 Better information on sustainable transport options is needed at the Station and the Thornhill car park. By working with PDNP and Northern Rail we hope to achieve this. 

 

January barrier auditing

 Sounds like we have all had a good Christmas and New Year from the messages I have seen from within the new Whatsapp Group. 

The January work day was organised at late notice, and therefore  pretty uninticing; more barrier auditing. 

As it was, those who ventured out on a damp, January morning had a great time and made the whole event really good fun. Hang on a minute, I am becoming a bit delusional.

I parked up in Minninglow car park, remembering so well when we had all stopped there recently on our December ride for a coffee stop. This morning I was alone, apart from the dubious companionship of a grumpy dog walker who soon disappeared into the greyness. Trying to be positive I pedalled down NCN 54 to the point where it joins NCN 548 and started to double back towards my starting point. No barriers to audit so far!

I passed the turn to the Minninglow car park and continued along the rough gravel track that forms NCN 548 at this stage. I still don't really understand the inconsistency of the Sustrans "powers that be" as to why this section has not been removed from the Network. Although I think it is an absolutely lovely route across the limestone fields, the surface is in really poor, if not dangerous, condition and a real challenge for all but very experienced riders. Under the "Paths for Everyone" cull of routes from the National Network this really should be a contender for being axed. Thank heavens that those " powers that be" don't actually get out into the countryside and ride the routes before making their decisions (at least as far as NCN 548 is concerned). It is a steady pull to the top of that hill and by the time I got there the wind was starting to cut through my many layers; the deep rain puddles weren't helping to warm my feet up either! Still, an inordinate number of barriers to audit which definitely upped the fun factor several fold. 

I descended along the road past Biggin Hall and half wondered if I should treat myself to coffee there, but then I reminded myself that my flask of coffee would be wasted if I did. Who wants to sit in Biggin Hall on their own anyway? By the time I got to the top of the final hill before Hartington the sun had started to shine a weak, wintery, warmth. I took a few more photos of the final bit of rough farm track before NCN 548 finally hits the road just above the YCA. That is surely a barrier under the Sustrans definitions. It has been a while since I last rode all of NCN548 but it is one of those routes where you think "we are so lucky to be guardians of this route". 

The thought of that coffee in my flask had become a burden and so I persuaded myself to stop and refresh myself whilst watching the white ducks preen themselves on the edge of Hartington duck pond. What better way to spend a morning? 

The road past the duckpond forms the northerly part of NCN549. It has been deemed unsuitable for ongoing inclusion in the cycle network by those same "powers that be". Accordingly there was no requirement to barrier audit it, but I thought I would do it nonetheless. Again it is such a lovely ride up the Dove valley, and possibly one of my most favourite stretches in the whole of our area (but I do have lots of favourites!). Amazing how many gates along here, but not surprising that I kept losing signal, and hence the ability to record all my data. 

Eventually I got to the end at Pilsbury, climbed that steep hill back out of the valley and made my way back to the trail and NCN68. From here it was all downhill along NCN 68 and then NCN 54 back to Minninglow. Somethink like 33kms in just under 3 hours and 22 barriers audited. A great morning's work?

The completion of my morning marks an important point as I think we have now pretty much totally completed all of the barrier auditing within our designated region. In fact we have done more than that because I know of several sections that are on the network, but which did not come up for allocation. So, well done everyone. I think we have really risen to this challenge as a team. Let's see what use is now made of all that data.

Next work day is Monday 6 February 2023 when we will be venturing up to the northern extreme of our region in Whaley Bridge. 

Happy New Year to all. 

Christmas bells on the High Peak

 More often than not we are so lucky with the weather for our monthly work days. This one was no exception either, for despite the temperature never getting very much above freezing we had mostly blue sunny skies.

Our task for this festive work day was to undertake a barrier audit along the entire length of NCR54 - the High Peak Trail. It is almost 20 kms from Parsley Hay to Middleton Top and I didn't really think that we could get it completed in the time available. How wrong I was!!

With a covering of snow across the track and some in the fields as well it was not a day to be standing around for too long. We had a fantastic turnout of ranger volunteers again this year; its amazing what effect Catherine's baking has on attendances!

So, we split into two teams with Maldwyn the App supremo for Team A and me fumbling on the key pad with my cold fingers for Team B. David & Catherine together with Clare assisted Maldwyn, whilst I had able support from David S, Andrew and Peter. The idea was that each team would work independently and leapfrog past the other to the next barrier on the track. The trail was alive to the thwang of retractable tape measures whizzing between gate posts and across multiple bollard gaps! It was a great system and we made extremely good progress. The barrier auditing app is quite easy to use, although up on the High Peak GPS reception is not always as good as it might be to precisely locate where the barrier actually is on the electronic map. 

After our coffee stop we had a long section without barriers and we were all able to ride and chat together. Clare and I were lucky to be passing a spot as a large Kite swooped along the trail towards us in pursuit of a crow. There are not many kites sighted up in the Peaks, although I have seen a few more this year than last, and to see one that close to, really is quite unusual. 

Eventually we did have victims falling foul of the weather. Maldwyn on his Brompton had a lot of difficulty with snow clogging up the gears and he had to be helped back to Parsley Hay. Meanwhile David S had a tyre problem; not a puncture exactly but a complete fracturing of the valve. It was no wonder the pumpp wasn't managing to blow it up. 

Knock, knock

Who's there?

How many men does it take to change a tyre?

It took us quite a while to get it sorted but even so we arrived bang on time at The Waterloo, Biggin for our well deserved Christmas lunch. The pub wasn't quite the warm, atmospheric place I had hoped for, but  the food was hot and the beer pretty good. 

Final mention to the most intrepid members of our group. Whilst David and Catherine had the not so enviable prospect of riding back down into Hartington and then back hope to Warslow, Clare had an even more daunting prospect of riding back up to NCR54, then along to Earl Sterndale, over Staker Hill and on into Buxton to catch a train home. Even in good conditions that is quite a ride, but setting off at 3:45 on a Friday afternoon, with the gloom descending, temperatures falling and a headwind growing stronger it was an incredible act of dedication to the cause. To her immense credit she made it (easily??) with two minutes to spare and then went on to enjoy a party night out in Manchester. Wow!!

Thanks to all for making it such a successful day. Looking back we have had another successful year. Look forward to seeing you all in January, if you can make it. Shall we say Friday 6 January?