Posted 8/8/2010
Tracing the Leen
Nottingham City Council along with the British Waterways, are
proposing to 'join the dots' with a cycle path along the River
Leen. This waterway is a tributary of the River Trent, which it
joins near Wilford, Notts. Its course through Nottingham is by
turns canalised and culverted- it even passes through a syphon
under the Beeston Canal- a giant U-bend guarded by the River
Leen Syphon Automated Weed Remover. Under the cycle path
plan, this would be the site of a new pedestrian and cycle bridge
over the canal.
Sneinton Bikers traced the path of the Leen from Wilford to
Radford, taking on refreshments at the Plough Inn, right next to
the Nottingham Brewery, before heading back across Hyson
Green and Forest Fields.
Posted 17/4/2010
Colwick woods, Gunthorpe bridge and back on the south
side of the Trent
In perfect sunny weather 6 riders met up at Cafe Sneinton on
Hermitage Square (our new meeting point for rides). JT took us
up to the top of Colwick Woods to the new lookout spot recently
cleared by the Friends of Colwick Woods. The view over Sneinton
and Nottingham Centre is superb- and noticeably free of planes
and vapour trails due to that Icelandic volcanic ash cloud. We
then headed down through the woods to Netherfield and to the
Trent, where we followed the north bank path through a herd of
cows and past water skiiers to Gunthorpe Bridge. Across the
Trent we passed huge displays of cherry blossom and swamp like
parts of the Trent flood plain before climbing Shelford Hill to
Radcliffe on Trent. There we enjoyed the suntrap beer garden at
the Horse Chestnut pub before wending our way back to
Sneinton via Holme Pierrepont. A fantastic Sneinton Bikers ride.
Posted 10/4/2010
Loop ride through Bakersfield to Stoke Bardolf and back
along the Trent to Colwick
Chris Mathhews has written about this ride on his
InternetCurtains blog- see his 6/3/2010 entry.
..."This follows part of a group bike ride from Stoke Bardoph Lock
to Colwick Industrial Estate, along a newly relayed Trentside
path. I have to thank Sneinton Bikers for their patience, as I
must have tired then with my insistence on meandering along
the tape worm artery of the Trent - stopping at rotting industrial
heritage and contemporary manufacturing units...." read more
Posted 10/12/2009
Via the Trent to Sawley Marina
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.
Posted 22/10/2009
Via Wollaton Hall to Beeston Lock
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.
Posted 26/9/2009
Loop through Netherfield and Colwick Wood
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.
Posted 5/9/2009
Ride to Ruddington
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.
Posted 31/8/2009
Sneinton Bikers at the Hinterland Cycle Powered Cinema
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!
Posted 29/8/2009
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
Posted 9/7/2009
Sneinton Bikers join the Sneinton Festival Parade
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.
Posted 3/5/2009
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!
Posted 27/4/2009
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.
Posted 16/4/09:
Great Notts Bike ride- get training!
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
Posted 11/03/09:
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.
Posted 24/02/09:
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.
Posted 7/02/09:
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.
Posted 17/01/09:
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.
Posted 03/01/2009:
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.
Posted 20/12/08:
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.
Posted: 13/12/08:
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.
Posted 15/11/08:
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.
Posted 6/11/08:
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.
Posted 29/10/08:
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.
Posted 5/10/08:
Sneinton Bikers rode out in blustery but dry conditions on
Saturday 4th October for a short ride around the Sneinton area.
Posted 21/9/08:
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.
Posted 14/9/08:
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.