cycleSheffield

Western Circular - new start time

Now the evenings are staying lighter the Western Circular ride moves to its later slot.

We will now set off at 7.00pm from the University concourse.

Uni Concourse, Ranmoor Inn, Hallamshire Golf Club, Roper Hill,  Ringinglow,  Dore,  Ecclesall Woods.

But note for this week only (Thurday 30th April) we are starting at 7.30pm

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

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=108285123450551660446.000465167f00e01fe8cbc&ll=53.395972,-1.470966&spn=0.022775,0.054932&z=14

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!”

Western Circular

Today (16th Apr) and every thursday during BST, subject to people being willing.

Tonight ride starts at the Ranmoor Inn, 6:30 p.m.

Normal Pickup points 6p.m. Devonshire Green, 6:15 Uni Concourse,, 6:30 Ranmoor Inn, 6:45 Hallamshire Golf Club.

Then Roper Hill, Ringinglow, Dore, Ecclesall Woods, and terminating Rising Sun (reasonably priced food & drinks)

Note will move to a later start when daylight allows.

Tags: cyclesheffield rides

cyclesheffield meeting TONIGHT

340 Glossop Rd, 7-9. No bikes in the building please. There is ample Sheffield stand parking on the Uni
campus and I can put your bike in our bike shed by arrangement. 20’s plenty is on the agenda.

Western Circular

Today 2nd Apr and every thursday during BST, subject to people being willing.

Pickup points 6p.m. Devonshire Green, 6:15 Uni Concourse,, 6:30 Ranmoor Inn, 6:45 Hallamshire Golf Club.

Then Roper Hill, Ringinglow, Dore, Ecclesall Woods, and terminating Psalter Tavern (reasonably priced food & drinks)

Note will move to a later start when daylight allows.

–
Simon