Tag: NCN 6

#365daysofbiking Any reasonable route

May 25th – A 93 mile dayride that was very, very challenging.

It was a nice day – not too hot, but sunny enough to get a tan, and I set out mid morning, to follow cycle route 54 to Derby – from there on route 6 to Worthington and Cloud Quarry, then back via Packington, Measham, Harlaston and Whittington.

The day was lovely and the ride excellent, with plenty to see: NCN 54 has some very pointless twiddly bits, but I did them all for old times sake and enjoyed every inch. Sad to see the development at Tattenhill, but time must crawl I guess. Falling in love with Derby again was a bonus.

NCN 6 is still one of my favourites: The run out of Derby then past Melbourne is one of the best routes in the country and a genuine joy. My only criticism is it’s time to cut the vegetation back from the viewing area at the quarry again – that stunning view should be maintained if possible.

The challenge was I’ve only ever ridden this in the opposite direction, and all the hills came at the end, and on top of some grim stomach cramps. But I prevailed and it was fantastic.

A lovely day.

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July 7th – Taking advantage of the quiet roads following England’s victory over Sweden in the World Cup, a lift was bagged to near Measham and an unintentional 87 mile fast paced ride up the Cloud Trail to Derby, then back out through Mackworth and the Needwood Valley, finishing long after dark, ensued.

I explored the trail over Sinfin Moor too where I’d never been before, which really was a nice ride.

Not really any time to take too many pictures, but Cloud Quarry’s view from the trail is still jaw dropping, and it’s fascinating to see one end of this immense quarry being filled while basting continues to remove limestone at the other. 

The river crossing is always a delight, and the tiny chapel/church at Church Town is a real gem.

I was intrigued by the crop growing near derby – is that oats? Seems like it but they seem a bit – fulsome for that. You don’t see oats about much is Staffordshire come to think of it. Suggestions gratefully received.

A great ride on a hot, quiet Saturday afternoon.

October 2nd – As well as Leicester, there will always be a place in my heart for Derby, which similarly, is often dismissed as grimy, post industrial and dull – but such dismissals are wrong. Very wrong. Derby is full of lovely wide streets like Friarsgate, and around every corner there’s another interesting piece of architecture. And of course, the majesty of the River Gardens and Cathedral.

One of the best things is you can come all the way from Osgathorpe, near Melbourne, right to the River Gardens, on totally traffic free trails and only have to cross a handful of roads.

October 2nd – The run from Leicester to Derby is lovely, and contrasted sleepy waterways with stunning brutalist architecture, wide vistas, quiet trails and bustling shared-use tracks beside busy roads. 

I love the wind turbine, and the halls of residence at Loughborough University look like some spaceship ready to launch. But the sleepy views over the west Leicestershire countryside were gorgeous, as was the tranquility of the car-free trail into Derby over the Trent at Swarkestone.

A great ride.

April 24th – A long ride today. I had an early meeting in Leicester, so I decided to take advantage and ride home – via Derby. I followed National Cycle Route 6 up through Leicester, Mountsorrel and Loughbourough, through Shepshed and Belton and from Worthington up the old rail line to Swakestone; from there, short hop on the canal, then up the old canal line that’s now a cycle trail right in to Derby. 

I left Derby on route 68 through Mickleover and Mackworth, to Etwall; from there to Burton, then Barton and Lichfield. A bit shy of 100 miles, but the wind was punishing and I’m not yet back to peak condition.

I loved the whole thing. Route 6 is ace and I saw lots of places I need to go back to – not least Mountsorrel which looked gorgeous. Derby was as wonderful as ever. 

The sun disappeared at lunchtime, but it was a nice enough day, and the ride reminded me of places I’d forgotten and needed back in my life.

Enjoyable, but tiring, I was glad to get home.