cycleSheffield

Sheffield Friday Night Rides - Fri Nov 14 2008 Bridges

Meet 6-6.30 for 6.45 start meeting place The Grapes, Trippet Lane - park your bikes in the car park at the back if you want to have some refreshment before we go Total Distance approx. 16 miles for canal, Don and Sheaf - 25/20 miles if we do the Sheaf/Porter extension .

Heads up: Again a route that does involve some off road cycle paths, footpaths and about 10yds of towpath so really for touring bikes and town/hybrid bikes; you are advised to leave the thoroughbred road bikes at home

Map at http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=108285123450551660446.000458fc7042cc2af1ada&ll=53.386349,-1.474743&spn=0.090915,0.219727&z=12

Purpose: When the climber George Mallory was asked why climb high mountains, he responded, “Because they are there” In the same spirit let’s see how many bridges we can cross over three of the five rivers and the canal - because they are there; they may not be grand and there are not many that are fancy but there are more than you think and this ride will put you in touch with some parts of the waterways that are the reason for Sheffield being where it is and for its industries. We will try to keep on low contours and low gradients if we can - cycling for all! NB George Mallory disappeared ascending Everest in the 1920s and his freeze-dried mummified remains were only recently found - so bring a warm jacket! - as well as lights and locks!

Proposed route. Head towards Blast Lane and then over canal bridges on road and cycle paths until we get to Tinsley Viaduct - across the viaduct (on the lower platform!) so finally crossing canal and initially crossing Don and then back along the bridges over the Don in Brightside and the Five Weirs Walk into the Wicker, circle round Lady’s Bridge, and then off through the lower part of town to where the Sheaf goes under Sheffield city centre and follow the Sheaf criss-crossing bridges on paths and roads through Heeley (stop at Sheaf View? about 16 miles by then - nice pub; parking for bikes) and the those who want to we can then carry on following the Sheaf up to Archer Rd and then down Abbeydale Rd to Nether Edge, over the ridge by the old hospital down to the top end of Endcliffe Park and criss-cross  the Porter back into town until it too goes under the city and a final social stop back at The Grapes for a ride of just under 25 miles (I’ve only just realised how many miles I must put into a week!) ( could do Fat Cat instead if you want and that will involve crossing the Don again.)

The next Sheffield Friday Night Ride will be Fri Oct 17 2008 and the theme is Cemeteries -

14 night riders joined in last month for the theme of social housing and 26 now on the emailing list; join in as and when you wantso this month let’s get ready for Halloween (Halloween is the last Friday of the month but Mick the ride leader is I’m on holiday and Its also Critical Mass)

Bring lights for the ride and torches for this one especially the visit to the abandoned Wardsend Cemetery.Meet at the Vine Inn (http://www.sheffieldpub.co.uk/pubs/city-centre/vine-inn/), Cemetery Rd, 6-6.30 for a 6.45 start. (This seemed to the best time for most).Approx 17 - 22 miles (depends if we take the detour as well) in all with some hills (gently up; steeply down) and some on trails/non-metalled roads so not for road bikes with super slim slick tyres. Take approx 3 h in all.
Map at

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=108285123450551660446.000457f5f5a61e58aa14c&ll=53.440628,-1.520233&spn=0.090799,0.219727&z=12,

Check out the map for points of interest and general route - comments please if you can be bothered Suggested stopping places/’sights’, General Cemetery,  City Rd Cemetery, Cholera Monument, Norfolk Rd, Burngreave Cemetery, Jewish Cemetery, Parson Cross (see the ghostly, deserted cinema at Parson Cross, anybody know when this closed?), (then could be a possible detour to  Wisewood Cemetery (for a woodland burial!)),  then ride up Club Mill Road (v muddy) to the Wardsend Cemetery, Owlerton - well spooky, bring torches,then back to finish at The Fat Cat, Alma Rd. http://www.thefatcat.co.uk/

It’s just a ride - the manifesto of the Sheffield Friday Night Ride Friday Night Ride is a cycle ride around Sheffield. It’s a ride for fun, fresh(ish) air and comradeship. It’s unsupported, it’s about celebrating cycling and celebrating Sheffield. It’s not a demo or a protest. It’s not anti-traffic. Whoever you are, whatever your bike, you’re welcome to join the Friday Night Ride.

We might ride out to Meadowhall or pace around the city. Or up to the Peaks for the sunset (or sunrise). Or to Concord Park, Whiteley Woods and Forge Dam for a spot of summer loafing.  Usually we take it very easy, taking in the views and exploring our city.  Friday Night Ride is about big things - like community, the environment and having a good time.  If we get separated we’ll just re-group further up. No-one gets left behind, and no-one gets too far ahead. So come along and join us.

Get involved

Just turn up at the next ride. People will be there at least thirty minutes before we head off, just look for a collection of bikes somewhere (don’t stand in one place, keep looking around). What do you need? Nothing special, but you really want to bring lights for when you find yourself still out late (more common than you’d believe) and heading home on your own…

Send Mick an email sheffieldfridaynightride@blueyonder.co.uk, to get on the email list.  He’ll get back to you. Promise.

Got a route? Seen something better?  Email Mick and add it to the ideas.

All route suggestions and routes will eventually be mapped-out on the Google maps and then we can keep them, posted on a prospective website. All to be done before Jan 2009. Anybody help Mick with these tasks? Then get back to him.  Thanks

Rules

1. You ride at your own risk.
2. Respect the road - so no riding like you’ve got a grudge against humanity.
3. Don’t harass other road users and peds.
4. Always bring lights! Even in the middle of summer, it WILL be dark before you want to leave!

Disclaimer: Riding on public roads can be dangerous. Only fit and experienced riders should take part. No-one under the age of 16 should take part. All proposed routes are completely unsupported, you should study and print your own map and be prepared for any eventualities as if traveling alone. All persons riding on the routes described do so entirely at their own risk. The ride guides accept no responsibility for any loss, damage or injury relating to the routes and/or rides described on this email list. We recommend that all participants in the Friday Night Ride join the CTC (www.ctc.org.uk) This membership includes 3rd party liability insurance.

Mick

sheffieldfridaynightride@blueyonder.co.uk

079 49 59 67 02

“We have nothing to lose but our chains!”

Tags: rides