Heron on the River Don, Sheffield at Walk Mill Weir (near the Cobweb Bridge)
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Thursday, April 26, 2007
Heron on the River Don, Sheffield
Heron on the River Don, Sheffield at Walk Mill Weir (near the Cobweb Bridge)
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Easter Monday ride
Took Vernon up to Wakefield Kirkgate by Northern's Fast service, then off to Horbury via the cycle path that takes a bit of finding, but if you head for Thornes park you won't go far wrong. The path follows the railway and dips under the motorway before bringing you out in the village - then you can head down the A642 and end up at Horbury Bridge.
This is a vital navigational point for the area - whether you've come down from the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, tried to avoid Wakefield by going through Criggleston and Netherton, or made your way along the Calder and Hebble Navigation you will come through here. I took to the Navigation - although narrow at first the towpath is rideable in the dry and soon opens up. On reaching Savile Town, fooled by some green dots on the map I took the loop - mental note, follow the main canal next time.
However, I was soon back on course, stopping to berate some boys who were pulling bricks out of the wall and throwing them in the river - whether I made an impression on them in my Sustrans tabard I'm not sure, however, here you get the turn off to the Spen Valley Greenway. The bottom half of this hasn't receive its spring clean-up yet, and there was the odd bad boy around trying to get an illegal motorbike started, but in the main this is a fine route and I made good speed.
Things go pear-shaped when you reach the end of the SVG though. The trail comes to an end - if it didn't you would end up on the Bradford - Halifax railway - and although there are other sections of this route as you make you way into Bradford there are no temporary signs linking them. How about it Bradford Sustrans Rangers? I made a few exploratory trips and eventually made my way via Oakenshaw via a steep climb up to Brierley, and enjoyed a fast descent through Bowling Park, hampered only by a gaggle of park rangers gathered on the cycle path for a chat. once through the park however the signed route petered out in an alley strewn with broken glass - the true show-stopper for any cycle route. I completed my entry to Bradford with a run down the three-lane A642. Stopped for lunch in a square in town, but soon started getting harassed by drunks so it was time to move on.
As luck would have it Bradford F.C were at home and the traffic wasn't moving in Forster Square retail park, so I made my way along the imaginary cycle route - alleged to follow the route of the old Bradford Canal, but it's hard to spot. Stopped at Frizinghall for a station survey - no cycle stands here - and as a train was announced thought I might as well hop on and go to Keighley in hopes of a pint of Tim Taylors. The clientele on this train consisted mainly of cyclists - showing how important we are in filling trains on off-peak services however little thanks we get for it.
Enjoyed watching the Worth Valley steam train set off...
...then looked for a decent pub but no joy. So, headed for the canal and a fast run into Leeds (stopping for a pint of Cumberland Ale on the way) on a fine cycle route with the wind behind - bowling along at 18mph most of the way. It's beautifully clean and litter-free as well - congrats to whoever it is who keeps it that way.
Pirate boat on the Leeds-Liverpool canal
Came across a chav casualty who had done too much booze, and was lying on the towpath with his eyes open but not seeing anything. His pals had got him into the recovery position and seemed to have things under control, so I left them to it - I have to say I have no interest in whether chavs live or die, they have given me too much grief in the past for me to care. Anyway the paramedics were just along the way, rushing along with their stretcher - I wondered about the wisdom of leaving their ambulance in such an isolated spot for more Leeds chavs to trash though.
Stopping off at Leeds City station for a crayfish and rocket sandwich from Marks & Sparks - us affluent cyclists can afford that sort of thing, or is it just the money we save not buying petrol? -
and although I could easily have caught the 18:15 fast back to Sheffield was determined to end up back where I started.
So, found the start of the Trans-Pennine Trail - Leeds is making attempts to join the routes together but hasn't managed it just yet, any more than Sheffield has.
First impressions not good - I pictured myself zooming along brick cycleways beside swanky city-living apartments, but found myself bumping along a pitted towpath alongside a burnt-out warehouse. At least on the next section the authorities had the good grace to direct me back to the road - however after that there were some steep steps to negotiate before getting onto a good clear track along the Aire, and it is an impressive navigable river. With the wind behind I was getting up to the 18mph level once again. Had a strange encounter with another cyclist who just wouldn't move over and let me past no matter how much I shouted - when I eventually did overtake I gave him the fright of his life, turned out he was plugged into his ipod! He was going pretty fast himself, obviously not expecting a CTC Refugee on a fast tourer to outgun him.
Soon enough a route choice came up, and chatting to some locals explaining that I wanted to get to Wakefield I was bit dismayed when they said "well it's back there" - pointing back the way I had come!. That's the motorists mentality for you - although they were on bikes at the time. I took to the road anyway, although I found a very good section of relaid TPT between Methley and Bottom Boat, and with a stiff climb on the A642 found myself back in Wakefield, made it to Kirkgate with 72 miles on the clock and a quarter of an hour to go before the next chuffer (complete with jobsworth guard who was paranoid about having two bikes on a train with 5 other passengers) back to Sheffield and dinner with the Orc and his good lady wife.
All along the cycle route bits of this ride I saw loads of people out cycling, families, couples young and old, bunches of lads, women in pairs, as well as loads of people out jogging and walking - maybe some of them had come out in cars to enjoy these traffic-free routes, so what, who cares?
This is a vital navigational point for the area - whether you've come down from the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, tried to avoid Wakefield by going through Criggleston and Netherton, or made your way along the Calder and Hebble Navigation you will come through here. I took to the Navigation - although narrow at first the towpath is rideable in the dry and soon opens up. On reaching Savile Town, fooled by some green dots on the map I took the loop - mental note, follow the main canal next time.
However, I was soon back on course, stopping to berate some boys who were pulling bricks out of the wall and throwing them in the river - whether I made an impression on them in my Sustrans tabard I'm not sure, however, here you get the turn off to the Spen Valley Greenway. The bottom half of this hasn't receive its spring clean-up yet, and there was the odd bad boy around trying to get an illegal motorbike started, but in the main this is a fine route and I made good speed.
Things go pear-shaped when you reach the end of the SVG though. The trail comes to an end - if it didn't you would end up on the Bradford - Halifax railway - and although there are other sections of this route as you make you way into Bradford there are no temporary signs linking them. How about it Bradford Sustrans Rangers? I made a few exploratory trips and eventually made my way via Oakenshaw via a steep climb up to Brierley, and enjoyed a fast descent through Bowling Park, hampered only by a gaggle of park rangers gathered on the cycle path for a chat. once through the park however the signed route petered out in an alley strewn with broken glass - the true show-stopper for any cycle route. I completed my entry to Bradford with a run down the three-lane A642. Stopped for lunch in a square in town, but soon started getting harassed by drunks so it was time to move on.
As luck would have it Bradford F.C were at home and the traffic wasn't moving in Forster Square retail park, so I made my way along the imaginary cycle route - alleged to follow the route of the old Bradford Canal, but it's hard to spot. Stopped at Frizinghall for a station survey - no cycle stands here - and as a train was announced thought I might as well hop on and go to Keighley in hopes of a pint of Tim Taylors. The clientele on this train consisted mainly of cyclists - showing how important we are in filling trains on off-peak services however little thanks we get for it.
Enjoyed watching the Worth Valley steam train set off...
...then looked for a decent pub but no joy. So, headed for the canal and a fast run into Leeds (stopping for a pint of Cumberland Ale on the way) on a fine cycle route with the wind behind - bowling along at 18mph most of the way. It's beautifully clean and litter-free as well - congrats to whoever it is who keeps it that way.
Pirate boat on the Leeds-Liverpool canal
Came across a chav casualty who had done too much booze, and was lying on the towpath with his eyes open but not seeing anything. His pals had got him into the recovery position and seemed to have things under control, so I left them to it - I have to say I have no interest in whether chavs live or die, they have given me too much grief in the past for me to care. Anyway the paramedics were just along the way, rushing along with their stretcher - I wondered about the wisdom of leaving their ambulance in such an isolated spot for more Leeds chavs to trash though.
Stopping off at Leeds City station for a crayfish and rocket sandwich from Marks & Sparks - us affluent cyclists can afford that sort of thing, or is it just the money we save not buying petrol? -
and although I could easily have caught the 18:15 fast back to Sheffield was determined to end up back where I started.
So, found the start of the Trans-Pennine Trail - Leeds is making attempts to join the routes together but hasn't managed it just yet, any more than Sheffield has.
First impressions not good - I pictured myself zooming along brick cycleways beside swanky city-living apartments, but found myself bumping along a pitted towpath alongside a burnt-out warehouse. At least on the next section the authorities had the good grace to direct me back to the road - however after that there were some steep steps to negotiate before getting onto a good clear track along the Aire, and it is an impressive navigable river. With the wind behind I was getting up to the 18mph level once again. Had a strange encounter with another cyclist who just wouldn't move over and let me past no matter how much I shouted - when I eventually did overtake I gave him the fright of his life, turned out he was plugged into his ipod! He was going pretty fast himself, obviously not expecting a CTC Refugee on a fast tourer to outgun him.
Soon enough a route choice came up, and chatting to some locals explaining that I wanted to get to Wakefield I was bit dismayed when they said "well it's back there" - pointing back the way I had come!. That's the motorists mentality for you - although they were on bikes at the time. I took to the road anyway, although I found a very good section of relaid TPT between Methley and Bottom Boat, and with a stiff climb on the A642 found myself back in Wakefield, made it to Kirkgate with 72 miles on the clock and a quarter of an hour to go before the next chuffer (complete with jobsworth guard who was paranoid about having two bikes on a train with 5 other passengers) back to Sheffield and dinner with the Orc and his good lady wife.
All along the cycle route bits of this ride I saw loads of people out cycling, families, couples young and old, bunches of lads, women in pairs, as well as loads of people out jogging and walking - maybe some of them had come out in cars to enjoy these traffic-free routes, so what, who cares?
Sunday, April 08, 2007
TPT Clean-up
Had quite a successful clean-up day with Mike Beaumont along the Canal towpath at Tinsley. Check it our next time you're passing. Buzzed by a heron and found a toad.
Friday, April 06, 2007
Other rides, other places
(i) Had to get to Longley Park quickly so took the quickest route I know. Over Brook Hill roundabout (motorists always surprised to see a cyclist there so they tend to treat you with respect), hurtle down Netherthorpe Rd. First problem - cycle lanes put you in the wrong position to cross the tram tracks. Oi, Council, No! An opportunity to do something radical on tramway safety, missed.
Next problem - with three lanes of traffic bearing down it's impossible to get over into the right turn lane to go up Rutland Rd. There is a cycle crossing here but there is no slip lane to get you off the carriageway. Oi, Council, No! Rutland Rd itself is horrid - heavy traffic, dirty, polluted. A bit of protection for cyclists under the railway bridge would help.
Coming down on Barnsley Rd, those pesky traffic islands make life difficult. Always a danger of getting squezzed by drivers going through. Not so bad beyond Herries Rd junct.
Coming back, tired of the traffic so took the Osgathorpe Rd diversion. Still no dropped kerbs to make it easier for cyclist on the closed roads and no sign of the city centre - NGH route via Ellesmere. Spital Hill downhill still closed so a bit of schlepping required here. Wicker still clogged up - Pond Hill - Flat St (Who called it that?) - Paternoster Way - Kettles Route leading to Devonshire Cat - pint of Pale Rider worked well.
(ii) Nottingham - Derby, 4th April 07,
Coming back from AUA conference, figured the trains between Notty & Sheffield would be pretty horrid so decided to pedal to Derby using the University Pool Bike. Have done NCN route 6 before but it used to fizzle out beyond Breaston before = with promises of a route along the old Derby canal but "please don't try it at the moment as it could affect delicate negotiations with the landowner." Anyway had cycled out the night before to check it out so I know it was now OK.
(Interlude - there are some arsehole git cyclists out there who think that all sustrans routes are pants. In Sheffield we have a phrase for these people. There are some crap Sustrans routes but then again there are some crap roads to cycle on, some crap bands, some crap beers (Carling Black Label for one) and some crap restaurants (McDonalds and KFC for example) In many cases Sustrans routes are the ones you would work out yourself before you left home, with the benefit of some engineering work to help out with the tricky bits crossing railways and rivers etc. I accept that they are sometimes slower than the equivalent road routes, but sometimes time isn't everything.
What I really like about good Sustrans routes is that they put you into a different head space - as you no longer have to worry about the rules of the road or that truck that's bearing down on you ahead, you can really start to think about things or just dream as you pedal along. The Nottie - Derby route has some anomalies- you wonder why they didn't use the canal instead of going around the houses as you head out of Nottie - but then again both routes, as well as the tarmac road are available so why worry? In Nottingham itself, where a lot of not-very-good off road routes were put in a few years back, the situation seems to have re-balanced, with many cyclists re-asserting their right to be on the road, whilst others are happy to use the off-road alternative. I did think the barrier of the inner ring road needed to be broken though. Freewheel cycle shop still going strong.
Anyway I had already used the NCN route to get to the Uni from Beeston station so I retraced my steps, thinking I would catch a train from B. to Long Eaton & continue from there, I just missed one when I got to Beeston so I continued using the bike route, which takes you through some very pleasant parkland around the north of Long Eaton as well as a few rather dull housing estates.
Also checked out Elvaston campsite which we plan to use on the Tour De France ride - looks good, very nice spot with Elvaston Castle nearby and GBG pub in nearby Thurston. From here you follow the Derwent up into Derby itself, and was pleased to see a lot of young people out on their bikes, it being the Easter hols. Derby has excellent cycle-friendly approaches to the city centre & the station from all the main directions.
Next problem - with three lanes of traffic bearing down it's impossible to get over into the right turn lane to go up Rutland Rd. There is a cycle crossing here but there is no slip lane to get you off the carriageway. Oi, Council, No! Rutland Rd itself is horrid - heavy traffic, dirty, polluted. A bit of protection for cyclists under the railway bridge would help.
Coming down on Barnsley Rd, those pesky traffic islands make life difficult. Always a danger of getting squezzed by drivers going through. Not so bad beyond Herries Rd junct.
Coming back, tired of the traffic so took the Osgathorpe Rd diversion. Still no dropped kerbs to make it easier for cyclist on the closed roads and no sign of the city centre - NGH route via Ellesmere. Spital Hill downhill still closed so a bit of schlepping required here. Wicker still clogged up - Pond Hill - Flat St (Who called it that?) - Paternoster Way - Kettles Route leading to Devonshire Cat - pint of Pale Rider worked well.
(ii) Nottingham - Derby, 4th April 07,
Coming back from AUA conference, figured the trains between Notty & Sheffield would be pretty horrid so decided to pedal to Derby using the University Pool Bike. Have done NCN route 6 before but it used to fizzle out beyond Breaston before = with promises of a route along the old Derby canal but "please don't try it at the moment as it could affect delicate negotiations with the landowner." Anyway had cycled out the night before to check it out so I know it was now OK.
(Interlude - there are some arsehole git cyclists out there who think that all sustrans routes are pants. In Sheffield we have a phrase for these people. There are some crap Sustrans routes but then again there are some crap roads to cycle on, some crap bands, some crap beers (Carling Black Label for one) and some crap restaurants (McDonalds and KFC for example) In many cases Sustrans routes are the ones you would work out yourself before you left home, with the benefit of some engineering work to help out with the tricky bits crossing railways and rivers etc. I accept that they are sometimes slower than the equivalent road routes, but sometimes time isn't everything.
What I really like about good Sustrans routes is that they put you into a different head space - as you no longer have to worry about the rules of the road or that truck that's bearing down on you ahead, you can really start to think about things or just dream as you pedal along. The Nottie - Derby route has some anomalies- you wonder why they didn't use the canal instead of going around the houses as you head out of Nottie - but then again both routes, as well as the tarmac road are available so why worry? In Nottingham itself, where a lot of not-very-good off road routes were put in a few years back, the situation seems to have re-balanced, with many cyclists re-asserting their right to be on the road, whilst others are happy to use the off-road alternative. I did think the barrier of the inner ring road needed to be broken though. Freewheel cycle shop still going strong.
Anyway I had already used the NCN route to get to the Uni from Beeston station so I retraced my steps, thinking I would catch a train from B. to Long Eaton & continue from there, I just missed one when I got to Beeston so I continued using the bike route, which takes you through some very pleasant parkland around the north of Long Eaton as well as a few rather dull housing estates.
Also checked out Elvaston campsite which we plan to use on the Tour De France ride - looks good, very nice spot with Elvaston Castle nearby and GBG pub in nearby Thurston. From here you follow the Derwent up into Derby itself, and was pleased to see a lot of young people out on their bikes, it being the Easter hols. Derby has excellent cycle-friendly approaches to the city centre & the station from all the main directions.
SWMBO's blog
So anyway he drags me out for a bike ride. Quelle Drague! Firstly we have to go on the train - why can't we go in one of our two motor vehicles? - on time & with plenty of room for bikes for once, so he got away with that one - but then we have to go to New Mills! Christ what a dump, and there were at least three cars on the roads we had to get round. And we have to go and look at how many bike racks there are at the stations, Jeezzuz pannezzas! So then he makes us cycle along the canal - well it's a bit slow and we have to be nice to walkers, "couldn't we go along the road" I say. Then we go past a canal basin that's an ancient monument apparently - Well I didn't know they had canal basins in pre-historic times and I'm an an archaeologist, so there - actually I'm a Customer Service Manager, you've got to earn a crust haven't you? - but he says we can't stop and have a look 'cos we've got too far to go, miserable git. Then we get to Chinley - another shithole, even worse than New Mills - hasn't even got a decent shop! Anyway things get worse as we have to go up some bastard of a road - it's called Rushup Edge but I certainly wasn't going to rush up it!
He wants to go down Winnatts but I soon put the stoppers on that - it's Edale or nothing I said, so over Mam Nick we go - I hate going downhill, it's even worse than going up I reckon. The next bit wasn't too bad but then we have to go up some other bloody fucking hill to Yorkshire Bridge - he wants to go over the dam, what's wrong with going all the way down into the valley and back up the other side I say! Then we have to go practically all the way back to Bamford so we can go over Bamford Moor - that's a bastard of a climb, no-one in their right mind would want to do that - well the views were quite good but what's wrong with seeing them from the comfort of a 4x4? Not bloody soon enough we're getting back into Sheffield but he says we should go on the back streets as going down Ecclesall Rd Sth at dusk can be a bit hairy. Then he takes us on some lunatic route that involves going up as well as down! And we end up going down Sheldon Rd which is the second worse road in Sheffield to cycle on, after Brocco Bank - normally we go along the back streets but of course I moan about that as well because it's too bloody far - and then to cap it all we run into our fool of a son who's mooching about meersbrook trying to borrow a bike to get to his pal's house because he had his stolen-ed from his pal's house (yes the same one)the other day. Well we gave him short shrift I can tell you.
Anyway when we got back I told him it was a great ride but we know better don't we!
He wants to go down Winnatts but I soon put the stoppers on that - it's Edale or nothing I said, so over Mam Nick we go - I hate going downhill, it's even worse than going up I reckon. The next bit wasn't too bad but then we have to go up some other bloody fucking hill to Yorkshire Bridge - he wants to go over the dam, what's wrong with going all the way down into the valley and back up the other side I say! Then we have to go practically all the way back to Bamford so we can go over Bamford Moor - that's a bastard of a climb, no-one in their right mind would want to do that - well the views were quite good but what's wrong with seeing them from the comfort of a 4x4? Not bloody soon enough we're getting back into Sheffield but he says we should go on the back streets as going down Ecclesall Rd Sth at dusk can be a bit hairy. Then he takes us on some lunatic route that involves going up as well as down! And we end up going down Sheldon Rd which is the second worse road in Sheffield to cycle on, after Brocco Bank - normally we go along the back streets but of course I moan about that as well because it's too bloody far - and then to cap it all we run into our fool of a son who's mooching about meersbrook trying to borrow a bike to get to his pal's house because he had his stolen-ed from his pal's house (yes the same one)the other day. Well we gave him short shrift I can tell you.
Anyway when we got back I told him it was a great ride but we know better don't we!
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
In the news
Jeremy Paxman on how britain has become a squalid filthy nation.
As a cyclist you spent quite a lot of time looking at road verges, and I certainly agree with him.
"We are a filthy island in which there is now an occasional oasis of cleanliness."
Also "Where cyclists dare" - Cycling in Birmingham & Manchester
As a cyclist you spent quite a lot of time looking at road verges, and I certainly agree with him.
"We are a filthy island in which there is now an occasional oasis of cleanliness."
Also "Where cyclists dare" - Cycling in Birmingham & Manchester
Monday, March 05, 2007
Friday, March 02, 2007
The Avett Brothers
I was driving back from the supermarket last night when I heard the Avetts for the first time on Bob Harris Country, When he said they were on in Sheffield that night I knew I had to be there! So I dumped the shopping and headed down. What a great show, what a great band. For an old fart like me the comparison was like seeing Old & in the Way or the Burritos for the first time. It's a sign of a great song when you can sing along with it even though its the first time you've heard it! Come back soon guys, I'll get the gang down.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Overheard in sainsburys
Sainsburys cash desk person talking to colleague: "I don't use my car for work any more, I walk to work and I feel a lot better for it".
That's the spirit!
That's the spirit!
Monday, February 26, 2007
Sunday ride
Just a little run-ette this Sunday: Set off with the thought of surveying Chinley/New Mills stations. Did a quick phone check* and the trains seemed to be running so set off up the hill to Fox House. At the Grindleford junction thought I'd check on train progress, so on to the GPRS again, but this time I did the correct drill down and discovered that what I thought was a train was in fact a bus. The buses don't carry bikes, so decided to divert, visited Grindersfoot which has not yet been covered, then enjoyed a Sainsburys taste the difference cheese&pickly sandwich on Froggatt bridge before pootling home again. Spent the afternoon clearing out the garage - what fun!
*You can check train times on Vodafone Live.
*You can check train times on Vodafone Live.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Adventures in Bassetlaw
Set off today to do a bit more station surveying. Those of you who follow my ramblings will know of my disquiet that the first train to the east of Sheffield on the Worksop line, on a sunday, is at 13:48. I had occasion to take this train and one thing I hadn't realised about it is that it runs fast to Worksop. My plan was to de-train at Kiveton Bridge, and take to the Chesterfield Canal into Worksop so I could check out Shireoaks and Worksop stations. However, I discovered that the 13:48 is actually FAST to Worksop. The first slow one leaves at 14:01 although I didn't twig that when looking at the departure boards. In the other direction, the first train from Worksop to Sheffield leaves at 15:01 on a sunday - small wonder then that people drive to Sheffield or Maadowhall for their shopping & sightseeing. Hardly what you would expect of a European city though is it?
Nevertheless a 20 minute journey time to Worksop was a pleasure and I decided to head on to Gainsborough to have a look at the stations there. Gainsborough Lea Rd is actually a Central Trains (CT) (shortly to be handed over to the East Midland Franchise) although more Northern Trains (NT) stop there than CT. Gainsborough Central, on the other hand, is a NT station, but actually no trains stop there at all. This is the most desolate station I've visited on the Northern network, located next to a steel stockholder and up a litter-infested track. However, there are signs of what we call re-generation in Gainsborough, with a shopping and leisure centre being build next to the station, so perhaps it will rise again one day. Surreally, there are oil derricks bobbing up and down next to the station.
So I headed out of town on the A631, which does have a cycle route alongside, starting off as bumpy pavement but getting a bit more professional -looking when the road turns into a dual carriageway. My attempt to use a bit of "old road" turned out to be a disaster when I came to a railway with no way across so I had to retrace my pedals. The A620, with some bits of off-road, took me down to Retford - the town has made a bit of an attempt to create a cycle route along the Chesterfield canal, but really, could do better.
Turning up at the station, I heard a train to Sheffield announced , so thought I might as well hop on and get down to Worksop to get with my original plan. This was a mistake. First-ly, the announcement had stated the wrong platform , so although I knew which platform the Sheffield train should go from I met a bunch of people off to find platform 1 - the fast platform for GNER expresses - then some people who had stayed uneasily on the right platform. Shortly after another anouncement advised us to switch to the opposite platform - always a pleasure whwen lugging a bike. A bunch of local youths had appropriated the adjacent field for a spot of off-road motorbiking, and I was joined by a chav family with double whining brats and yapping lap-dog (makes a change from child-killing pitbull I suppose) so the wait was less than relaxing. Anyway half an hour later the train arrived, already packed. No time left for a nice run along the canal, so back to Shef I went.
Nevertheless a 20 minute journey time to Worksop was a pleasure and I decided to head on to Gainsborough to have a look at the stations there. Gainsborough Lea Rd is actually a Central Trains (CT) (shortly to be handed over to the East Midland Franchise) although more Northern Trains (NT) stop there than CT. Gainsborough Central, on the other hand, is a NT station, but actually no trains stop there at all. This is the most desolate station I've visited on the Northern network, located next to a steel stockholder and up a litter-infested track. However, there are signs of what we call re-generation in Gainsborough, with a shopping and leisure centre being build next to the station, so perhaps it will rise again one day. Surreally, there are oil derricks bobbing up and down next to the station.
So I headed out of town on the A631, which does have a cycle route alongside, starting off as bumpy pavement but getting a bit more professional -looking when the road turns into a dual carriageway. My attempt to use a bit of "old road" turned out to be a disaster when I came to a railway with no way across so I had to retrace my pedals. The A620, with some bits of off-road, took me down to Retford - the town has made a bit of an attempt to create a cycle route along the Chesterfield canal, but really, could do better.
Turning up at the station, I heard a train to Sheffield announced , so thought I might as well hop on and get down to Worksop to get with my original plan. This was a mistake. First-ly, the announcement had stated the wrong platform , so although I knew which platform the Sheffield train should go from I met a bunch of people off to find platform 1 - the fast platform for GNER expresses - then some people who had stayed uneasily on the right platform. Shortly after another anouncement advised us to switch to the opposite platform - always a pleasure whwen lugging a bike. A bunch of local youths had appropriated the adjacent field for a spot of off-road motorbiking, and I was joined by a chav family with double whining brats and yapping lap-dog (makes a change from child-killing pitbull I suppose) so the wait was less than relaxing. Anyway half an hour later the train arrived, already packed. No time left for a nice run along the canal, so back to Shef I went.
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Reflective Jackets
Sourced without permission from the gmcc site, who reproduced it without permission from Private Eye
Friday, February 16, 2007
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Good ride today
Set off with Patrice and Martin the bus-man up through Holmesfield, down Cowley Lane to Commonside, then via Barlow and Pinfold up on to the tops. P & M set off home at that point, but I continued to Calver down the main rd (a few cars passed me but I passed them at the approach to the roundabout- quick search for a cafe in Calver, but nothing doing so settled on the Country Bookstore for lunch. Quick climb over the back road, down the main road and there you are! Good homemade soup as well. Was heading for the Hope Valley to do a survey of the cycle parking at stations (I am doing this for Northern Rail with Martin Bright) - so to get in the rail mood took the monsal trail to Gt Longstone and then Longstone Edge - starts as a punishing climb but gets better after a bit, big quarry at the top that doesn't add to the landscape at all. After you get over the top the world seems to tilt towards you, a bit like Google Earth (except this is the real thing) - down andacross to Foolow, skirting Gt Hucklow and then swooping down through Bradwell.
Did Hope, Bamford Hathersage & stations - would have done more but had to head for home as there were no trains. So it was up over Fox House and home via Dore where there is still no cycling parking. 52 miles total. Knackered now!
Did Hope, Bamford Hathersage & stations - would have done more but had to head for home as there were no trains. So it was up over Fox House and home via Dore where there is still no cycling parking. 52 miles total. Knackered now!
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Reasons to be a Sustrans Ranger pt II
..the Decaux advertising sign at the top of Staveley Rd has been subjected to a sustained campaign of glass-breaking, presumably by local kids. This leaves bits of broken glass all over the cycle ramp leading to Abbeydale Rd. Streetforce are very good at coming out to clean up once its reported, but use a mechanical cleaner that leaves some bits of glass still on the ramp. Passing by with my Sustrans broom (kindly donated by Streetforce, and of a standard that leaves no prisoners) I was able to remove the remnants in a jiffy, so they won't end up lodged in your inner tube. Jobs a good'un!
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Reasons to be a Sustrans Ranger, pt 1
Cycling home along the Upper Hanover Way cycle route (not a Sustrans route) on Jan 18th, the windiest, stormiest day of the year (transport chaos everywhere) my hat was grabbed off my head by a passing bramble (these are rampant despite it being mid-winter - nothing to do with climate change of course) Having my trusty Sustrans secateurs in the back pocket of my pannier, however, I was able to not only retrieve said headpiece, but give the bramble in question a right good seeing to with the old secs. There will be no question of another cyclist's hat being robbed by those anti-social brambles for quite a while now I can tell you.
Connoisseurs of the UHW bike route will note that not only has the broken-down tree been removed, it has been scrubbed clean and the fast growing nettles (nettles? in January?) have been removed due to my exhortations to Streetforce and their speedy response, as well as my own ministrations with the secateurs, particularly with regard to eye-level thorns.
Connoisseurs of the UHW bike route will note that not only has the broken-down tree been removed, it has been scrubbed clean and the fast growing nettles (nettles? in January?) have been removed due to my exhortations to Streetforce and their speedy response, as well as my own ministrations with the secateurs, particularly with regard to eye-level thorns.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
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