On Saturday 21st November we explored the path that runs from Wilford village to Barton in Fabis along the south side of the river Trent. From there we pressed on along bridleways, passing within fist shaking distance of Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station before taking some quiet back roads to Kegworth and Sawley, crossing the Trent to return via Attenborough and Beeston Lock on the north bank. The weather was grim and the mishaps frequent but on the up side the scenery was autumnal spectacular and we returned a happy bunch.
On Saturday 17th October we took the Beeston Canal out to Dunkirk the cut through Queens Medical Centre and past the Jubilee Campus (with its much-derided 'aspire' sculpture, which we found not really either a spire or aspirational) to Wollaton Hall. The trees in fantastic autumnal shades reminded us what a great place this in for Nottingham- the restoration work recently won a top building award. Then it was on via the University's original campus and some Beeston backwoods (courtesy of the twisty Route 6) to Beeston Lock and the River Trent, where we saw a group of 14 swans, and plenty of minor leagues sport.
On Saturday 19th September we decided on a leisurely route via Colwick Park to Netherfield, then took a route back on the bridleway through Colwick Woods. Colwick Park and Woods are an amazing resource, providing a lung for Sneinton and indeed the whole city of Nottingham. The Park is 250 acres of former gravel pits, now formed into a network of paths and lakes. The Forest is 120 acres of ancient woodlands, being excellently managed by the Friends of Colwick Woods and Nottingham City Council. On our ride we discovered a previously unknown (to us) part of the Forest, and took a long break in the sunshine picking blackberries. Access to both the Park and Woods from Sneinton is a bit difficult at the moment but plans are afoot to improve that situation soon.
On Saturday 5th September we had a great 11.5 mile ride out to Ruddington via the Old Road on Wilford Hill, an unsurfaced track and ancient road over the hill. In Ruddington kindly locals, concerned about our thirst, directed us to the beer festival at the White Horse pub. We familiarised ourselves about the some of the Yorkshire brews on offer before riding carefully back on cycle tracks all the way to Sneinton. See the route- No.4 on the list.
Wed 19 August evening ride followed the Trent upstream via Wilford to Clifton Bridge where the cycle powered cinema was. On arrival, free Castle Rock beer had been layed on! 6 people on bikes were powering a cinema for hundreds of chatty arty bikey types! The films presented by Annexinema and The Magnificent Revolution were pretty good, featuring both local talent and international. Look out for Hinterland art events and the cycle powered cinema: This thing is better than the Goose fair and not to be missed. The bridges and river of Nottingham provide some of the best cycle fun in the city. Keep on biking and opening up new spaces!
1st August ride report: We headed out along the south bank of the Trent wending our way past fans arriving at the City Ground for Forest's pre-season match against Birmingham City (a 2-1 win, if you're interested) until we hit the cordonned-off firework display for the fantastic Riverside Festival. Looping back through Sneinton the hard core headed up hill for some more or less responsible off roading
SNEINTON BIKERS rode with the SNEINTON FESTIVAL PARADE on SAT 4 JULY. A good turn out put flag-waving bell ringing cyclists on the streets of Sneinton, as we provided the tail of the procession of stilt walkers, Samba dancers and local school children.
Cycle ride report, 2nd May. Fantastic long ride- all the way to Newark and back. ( 43 miles). Went thru the National Water Sports Centre on Holme Pierre Point where there was a big rowing competition, then along dirty back road to Radcliffe. Climbed the cliff and got great views over Trent valley. Skirted along south bank of river via totally tranquil fields of Shelford, East Bridgford and Kneeston. The river path peters out a bit here so we did a fast road blast along the Fosse Way to Newark. After gawping at Newark Castle and beer break headed back to Not Numb on the north side of the river. Through posh Southwell, then followed the A612 back to town. There is a more scenic river route via Fiskerton and Bleasby which is the route for The Great Notts Bike Ride Sunday 21 June.
It gives you a real sense of achievement to prove you can do a good long ride. I'm sure most people could cycle a lot further than they think they can, 50 miles sounds alot, but if you take your time, take regular breaks, enjoy the countryside and just keep going the sense of accomplishment and massive boost to self esteem and fitness is well worth it. Ride fast, safe and often!
Cycle ride report, 18th April. Sneinton Bikers headed out for one of their longest rides yet via St Anns to the Hucknall Road, picking up the national cycle route 6 near Bestwood. This took us through parkland and nature reserves before skirting Hucknall through some housing and industrial estates. Cycling through unfamiliar parts of town we reflected that the bike gives you license to glimpse other peoples' lives in a unique way, and brings you closer to nature than would be possible with any kind of motor. From Hucknall Route 6 took us along old railway tracks and leafy lanes to the Newstead Abbey estate. By this time the day had heated up and the layers where shed along with the sweat. We hit the A60 Mansfield Road and took advantage of the tail wind and gradient to sail back into Nottingham, feeling tested and exhilarated by the 24 mile round trip.
Great Notts Bike Ride 2009 will take place on Sunday 21 June. JT of Sneinton Bikers will be there "I'm gonna take my sound system on the 50 mile ride and motivate the back markers from behind with an eclectic mix of triphop reggae and wacky 60's stuff." More info on the ride...
We headed through the Forest crowd along the Trent embankment to Wilford then along the north bank to Beeston Lock and Attenborough Nature Reserve. We saw 18 species of wildfowl (including a beautiful pair of great crested grebe), 12 distinct types of twitcher, and numerous strollers. After a disorientating figure 8 around the reserve we headed back through Beeston and the UofN campus to Wollaton Hall, returning finally along the canal to Sneinton- a round trip of around 20 miles.
Sneinton Bikers completed a round trip of 16.5 miles (3 of those were vertical), taking in Colwick country park and Netherfield then on to Lambley (supposed cradle of the Luddite movement) via Spring Lane. We chickened out at the Dumbles (but will be back in summer time), instead taking Catfoot Lane into a cold headwind. The plan was to head back on Mapperley Plains and Porchester Road but the head wind got boring and we turned off to scream down Westdale Lane East to Carlton- exhilarating but a bit stupid as it lost us all the altitude and most of the homeward direction. Alec left the Bikers regulars in an exhausted heap at the foot of Green's Mill whilst he set off on his 8 mile ride back to Bingham.
We took the chance to see some snow by heading out on the Grantham Canal, past ducks and moorhen skittering around on the ice and a rock steady heron. The track was a mixture of slush and hardened ice, testing our skills and the endurance of our saddle wearing regions. The clear air and sunshine set off the snowy fields and yellow rushes to perfection. Barney led the way to Holme Pierrepont Hall plowing manfully through the puddles, which Lou skirted to keep the mud off the prettiest paint job we have seen on a bike. We somehow picked up 2 punctures on the home straight- it was too cold to enjoy fiddling about with repair kits.
We left Belvoir Hill on a clear saturday afternoon, descended to Colwick Rd. then headed east til we joined the Trent just before the railway bridge. The going got a bit muddy here and steering and balancing skills were put to the test as we all had road tyres on. We followed the river path on the North side passing thru Stoke Bardolph and Burton Joyce. Here the river takes a big loop to the south, so we cut across Burton Meadows which brought us out to the busy road leading to Gunthorpe Bridge. Pub refreshments here fuelled us for the return journey on the south side. We went thru the little village of Shelford and into Radcliffe. Here we cut thru the dirty back road which brought us out to Holme Pierrpoint. It was dark by now but we had our free lights from the Sneinton Winter Carnival bike light give away. Night riding is great fun and your eyes soon adapt to the low light levels. We were tired and muddy as we came over Lady Bay bridge and headed back to the Windmill. It was a good long 20 mile ride, tough going thru the mud but left us with the glow of exertion and a sense of achievement. Can't wait til the next one.
The first ride of 09 took an inner city route. Round Sneinton, up the hill via Rossington to Windmill Lane. Past Vic Baths, then into town to visit the Brian Clough statue on King st, over to the Castle via Mkt Sq., then back to Sneinton via Weekday Cross and Lace Mkt. 62 dB of vintage Rock n Roll and Drum n Bass ranging from MC5 to Grooverider bemused Saturday shoppers.
A winter solstice ride to clear out some cobwebs and blast away winter blues- we struck out through Holme Pierrepnt and Radcliffe to Cropwells Bishop and Butler, then trundled back along the Grantham Canal in the gloaming, achieving an 8.5 on the smugness scale for winter physical activity.
Despite bad weather and the cancellation of the Winter Carnival parade by less hardy souls, Sneinton Bikers turned out on Saturday for a ride round Sneinton and the Old Market Square with tunes courtesy of Jon. The biker's stand at Green's Mill as part of the Winter Wonderland event generated a steady stream of visitors thanks in part to a free bike lights giveaway and Dave supplying warm and fortifying drinks.
5 and a half riders braved a pathetic drizzle to take part in this Saturday's ride- 3 year old J in
a bike seat providing the half rider and a fully sung commentary. The route took us south of the
Trent to Wilford, then on to Beeston Lock for a round trip of 12.7 miles. The weather cleared in
the last half of the ride: any remaining chills were cured with mulled wine at the finish.
Sneinton Bikers plan to ride at Sneinton Winter Carnival, Dec 13th. Meanwhile, 5 Sneinton Bikers joined 560 other bikes at London CRITICAL MASS. This is held last friday of every month in every major world city. It has just been re-launched in Nottingham. Nottm Critical Mass: Fri Nov 28 meet in Mkt Square 5.30.
The last SNEINTON BIKERS ride before the clocks went back took place on Sat 18 Oct. There were 3 guys and 3 girls. We cycled to Cotgrave via Holme Pierrepoint. We did a loop of Heron Park and came back on the Grantham canal. We had one new rider with us and did 13 miles in total. It was a lovely sunny day and felt like the last ride of summer.
Sneinton Bikers rode out in blustery but dry conditions on Saturday 4th October for a short ride around the Sneinton area.
Sneinton Bikers rode out in beautiful weather on Saturday 20th September. With tyres pumped up and a drink to hand they set off for a 35 mile round trip via Wysall. With half the group opting for a scenic (and shorter) route back via the Grantham Canal, the intrepid few completed our longest ride yet.
On Saturday 13th September Sneinton Bikers were out and about at the Heritage Fun Day (10am 'til 4pm) in support of the Save Victoria Baths campaign. We had a genuine 18th century penny farthing bicycle (as old as Victoria Baths themselves) and much much younger Onza minibike (from Onza Bikes on Carlton Road...) on display.
Cycle Sneinton | News
Home Links Find us Routes Contacts News