friday rides
The Next Friday Night ride - change of date - now May 29th
Mick Nott informs us that the next FNR is moved to May 29th
Sorry have had to change the date - I can’t make May 22. Its now the Friday of the Bank Holiday weekend May 29
Advance Notice
Sheffield FridayNightRide
War and Peace
Friday May 29 2009
NB not May 22 as originally planned
Meet at Castle Market,
corner of Waingate and Exchange St,
6-6.30 for a 6.45 start
Bring lights and locks!
Sheffield’s connections with war and peace are manifold. Sheffielders have fought, and died, in wars, Sheffield steel has been an instrument of war and the arms trade contributed significantly to the city’s wealth, Sheffielders culture of non-conformism and dissent have stimulated peace initiatives, and Sheffielders have been welcoming to refugees and asylum seekers from wars.
This ride touches on some aspects of war and peace and Sheffield. I hope its a time for reflection and discussion as well as the usual pleasant company getting to know each other and their city. Not all the notable locations could be visited in one ride so we could revisit the theme another time or on another ride..
For film clip of Picasso in Sheffield at a 1950 Peace Conference see http://www.itnsource.com/shotlist//Bpathe/1950/11/16/X16115001/
Heads up! This is a ride on roads or well-metalled paths and should suit all types of bike. I’ve tried to keep it ‘lower’ down compared to the last ride and starts and finishes in the heart of the city. It covers many roads we have travelled before but maybe in a different direction or arriving and leaving in a different direction! Total distance is 13 miles
Map at
Route - see the map for more details about the sites and history
We start at the corner of the site of Sheffield Castle, which was a Royalist stronghold during the Civil War and later destroyed by Parliamentarians, and then we follow the TPT to the Wybourn, turn off through Manor Park and enter the City Cemetery from Manor Fields. There we can ride past a military cemetery, the mass grave from the Sheffield Blitz, a panel of remembrance and a memorial to Belgians who took refuge in Sheffield during WW1. We’ll then head for the west of the city, down through Norfolk Park across Queen’s Rd, past an old TA barracks, and on through Sharrow to Ecclesall Rd where there is still clear evidence of bomb damage from nearly 70 years ago. Then we go down through Endcliffe Park, riding past the memorial to a USAAF bomber that crashlanded there, and out back to Hunters Bar where we will ride down, past the Polish Club which was started by refugees, to Collegiate Hall which was a hospital in WWI and has the remains of WWII air raid shelters on the lawn. There will then be a gentle climb up to Weston Park where we can look at the impressive war memorials and work out where the one from the Boer War has gone(!). The we cut back through the University, site of some of the meetings for the 1950 Peace Conference and we’ll go across the inner ring road at Broomspring Lane and up to the TA Somme barracks on Glossop Rd, and down into the center along Portobello, Trippet Lane, Campo Lane where we’ll ride into town to view some of the sites that were devastated in the Sheffield Blitz, to the Town Hall to ride past the memorial to Sheffielders who saw action in the Spansih Civil War, out past Barkers Pool and the City Hall, Sheffield’s main memorial to WWI, and then across Devonshire Green (cleared by WWII bombing) to the Bath Inn on Victoria St.
Mick
sheffieldfridaynightride@blueyonder.co.uk
079 49 59 67 02
“We have nothing to lose but our chains!”
Sheffield FNR Next Ride Fri April 24 JG Graves Philanthropist and Cyclist!
Sheffield FridayNightRide
JG Graves - philanthropist and cyclist!
Friday April 24 2009
Meet at Ornamental Garden and Fountain, Balm Green,
in front of Fountain Precinct, corner of Barkers Pool
6-6.30 for a 6.45 start
“To gain a knowledge of the topography and attractions of our beautiful countryside, nothing that I have ever sampled will compare with a journey on a well-made bicycle. To go as you please, where and when you please, independent of trains and petrol and all under your own control, I reckon to be a combination of exercise, pleasure and convenience which has not so far been excelled.”
J G Graves
John George Graves (1866-1945) was a local businessman, politician and, most importantly to us now, a munificent philanthropist for Sheffield.
Parks and playgrounds, open spaces, health, education, housing, sports, youth groups, charitable organisations, and the arts were all supported and funded by Graves who, from the late 1920s to the end of his life, did deeds that have enhanced the lives of Sheffielders for ever. His philanthropy and his legacy is still maintained and developed by the Graves Charitable Trust. All the places in brackets in the route guide below are a part of Graves’ legacy (there is more) - see the map for more detail.
He was also a keen cyclist who, at the age of 41, rode from Sheffield to London in 19 hours: we won’t be doing that!
So let’s celebrate this self-made man, who gave so much back to his adopted city, by cycling to places and institutions that were part of his life or owe their establishment or longevity to Graves. Hurrah!
Map of the route with much more detail at
Heads up! This is a longer Sheffield FNR of nearly 17 miles but we could either stop less often to listen to Mick or decide to cut some of it out or peel of when you like and all meet in the pub after!: how democratic is that? Most of the route is on roads with some trails through the Porter Valley from Whiteley Woods to Endcliffe Park. Suitable for road bikes. There is a long climb at the beginning then a bit of down, up, down and up before finally down into town.
Route. OK we are going to preview the new South Sheffield cycle route from the city centre to Gleadless Townend. So we start at the Ornamental Gdn ( a Graves’ donation to the city) in front of Fountain Precinct, Barkers Pool then down Surrey St (site of a Graves shop), glance down Tudor Square (the site of a Graves Tennis Centre, and the Crucible) past the Graves Art Gallery out to South St, Norfolk Rd, Norfolk Park, up St Aidens’ Rd across tramtracks then over Park Grange Rd and up through the Manor, down Gleadless Common to Hollinsend Rd where we will gaze at the most perfect examples of Graves Trust Houses on Ridgeway Rd. Then a couple of wiggles up to Gleadless Townend and a brief bit of pavement to the Norton roundabout (missing a cycle past the Graves Tennis Centre at Norton) and then along Hemsworth Rd to Graves Park. Through Graves Park to Meadowhead and down past Chancet Wood (glance back at some Graves Trust Houses) to Bocking Lane, Abbey Lane, across Abbeydale Rd (passing between Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet and Millhouses Park) and up through Abbey Lane (through Ecclesall Woods, cycling parallel to Ryecroft Glen) and along Whirlowdale Rd to Whirlow Brook Park (the end of Limb Valley), then a short bit along Ecclesall Rd South turn left up past Whirlow Hall Farm up towards Bents Green then up Ringinglow Rd and down past (Forge Dam to our West) Whiteley Woods (near the Guides Outdoor Activity Centre) and along the trail to Endcliffe Park, up Riverdale Rd (where Graves lived) to Fulwood Rd (past Weston Park Hospital) and down through Broomhill (past the Children’s Hospital) to the University (past the Octagon, the final site of Graves’ business, and see the Graves Building at the Students Union), down to Shalesmoor (to the site of a Graves Playground on Matthew St) and then finish at the Shakespeare in Gibraltar St (the street on which Graves served his time from the age of 14 as an apprentice watchmaker). Graves was a devout Methodist and more than likely teetotal but I am sure that he would not begrudge us a drink as we sip a beer satisfied with the ride and marvelling at the extent of his generosity.
This ride also incorporates items from previous themes, some public art, some social housing, the location of the first gig by the Beatles in Sheffield, produced by Peter Stringfellow in 1963, and some remnants of the old tramways routes. Enjoy, as you puff past.
Mick
sheffieldfridaynightride@blueyonder.co.uk
079 49 59 67 02
“We have nothing to lose but our chains!”
Friday Night Ride - February - Steel and Mills
Friday February 27 2009 Steel and Mills
Meet 6-6.30 for a 6.45 start at Devonshire Green
Bring lights and locks!
A ride out through the west of town past steel magnate’s mansions to Forge Dam and then back down on roads and trails through the Porter Valley stopping at sites and remains from the 17th, 18th and 19th century steel industry into Sharrow going through the prettiest short cut in Sheffield to see the still working snuff mill and ride by Mark Firth’s grave, then to visit the last cementation furnace and some renovated little mesters workshops to finish at the Shakespeare pub at the end of Furnace Hill where crucible steel was started up in Sheffield city itself.
(Mick is cheesed off as he can’t make this ride but he really enjoyed the recce - highly recommended)
Heads up! This is all on roads, paths AND trails but no real off-road stuff; (bridleway and road from Forge Dam to Wiremill Dam then road and metalled paths through Bingham Woods and Endcliffe Park) some of the route has no street lighting so bring lights! Probably not suitable for fixed wheels or delicate road bikes. The final climb into Fulwood can be hard work but the downhill return journey is well worth it. Total distance approx. 10 miles.
map at
Start Devonshire Green then up Broomspring Lane left into Gloucester St and cut through into Park Lane and along Clarkehouse Rd, Endcliffe Vale Rd, Fulwood Rd past Firth’s mansion at Oakbrook (now Notre Dame School) into Fulwood and turn down to Forge Dam. Take the bridleway up to Whiteley Wood Rd and then left down to Wiremill Dam then Whiteley Wood Rd to pick up the trail through Bingham Park and on into Endcliffe Park to Hunters Bar. Up Sharrow Vale Rd, cut through Frog Walk through the General Cemetery and then left through Broomhall and Netherthorpe down to Shalesmoor and finally down Furnace Hill to West Bar to finish at the Shakespeare.
See the map for route, landmarks and sites
Sheffield Friday Night Ride is not a club or society and there is no formal membership or sub; it is a mix of cycling, interest in one’s city and beer. It is just something I, and others, organise; all are welcome to join in on the rides or organising rides as and when they want - email sheffieldfridaynightride@blueyonder.co.uk to get on the mailing list - standing ad in the Sheffield Telegraph.
Mick
sheffieldfridaynightride@blueyonder.co.uk
079 49 59 67 02
“We have nothing to lose but our chains!”
Friday Night Ride - Sheffield tramways 1899-1960
Friday January 16 2009 Sheffield tramways 1899-1960
Meet 6-6.30 for a 6.45 start at the Showroom, Paternoster Row.
Bring lights and locks
Ride five of the old (1899-1960) tramways routes in Sheffield. Swoon at the site of the old tramsheds, be entranced by the last exposed tramtracks in the road, stare at the steel poles that held the power cables, marvel at the road excavated for the trams, finish with a pint in the shadow of the tramways power station. Its brilliant! Free tramways map to all who turn up. Social stops on the way.
Heads up! Suitable for all bikes, no off road bits although some of the roads are as rough as freshly ploughed fields! Except for about 50 yds we will not cycle along any of the Supertarm tracks. Total distance 16 miles.
Start Tramsheds facade Shoreham St/Leadmill Rd then following the Woodseats to Firth Park line through Pond St, Fitzalan Sq, Waingate, Wicker, Spital Hill, Burngreave, Pitsmoor, Fir Vale, Firth Park, Sheffield Lane Top then off the tramways routes through Shirecliffe, back of Wincobank and Meadowhall to Tinsley tramsheds on the Attercliffe line and then back into city centre along the Brightside line tramways to the site of the tramsheds in Tenter St, up onto Devonshire St and then up to West St across to Whitham Rd and follow the Crookes route right over to Walkley and follow the Walkley line back to Crookesmoor Rd and then down to the Fat Cat at Kelham Island to finish with a drink. See the map for landmarks and sites
map at
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