A Rangers Ride

We have been invited on a Rangers Ride by the Newark Rangers.
The date is Saturday 20th November and will involve us travelling by train to Newark Castle Station. The plan is to explore the new Western section of NCN Route 647 and we need to be in Newark for 9am so an early start required.

The Newark rangers plan to leave from Castle Station ( North Side) around 9 am after the trains from Nottingham and Lincoln have arrived.
We'll cycle north up the Trent Valley to where 647 crosses the road, just west of Fledborough viaduct.
We should be there around 10 45 I reckon depending on winds and punctures. Its about 13 miles.

We will meet up there with John from Harby, Graeme from Witham St Hughes and any others who come from Lincoln side.
We'll also meet Dave Hully there from Retford and Paddy from Worksop.

At 11 00 ish we'll head west along 647 to the cafe in Tuxford (c 5 miles) for a cup of tea before continuing along 647 to Clumber Park and South Lodge where it meets NCN 6. ( c 10 miles). This route has now been signposted by Notts CC but there were several gaps, some of which Roger has covered with temp Sustrans signs. We now need people unfamiliar with area to see what else is needed.

From South Lodge there's a short spur to Thoresby hall along the new Dukeries multi user trail where the manager of the courtyard area of shops and cafes is a cycling supporter and has invited rangers to go there to meet him. Tony met him at the official opening of the new route. Looks like they might at last be opening up Thoresby Park to cyclists. There is a network of roads but in the past there have been signs about no cycling!

After that we can head our separate ways to Newark, Retford, Worksop, Lincoln etc. If the weather is bad the nearest stations for escape routes back are Retford and Shirebrook - both about 7 miles.

If the weather is really awful we may want to adapt these plans of course! I suggest we communicate by phone if the weather looks iffy on the day.

My mobile is 0781 200 3635
Roger's is 07990 640598

Looking forward to a good ride with you on a bright crisp autumnal day - if only....
Please let me know you've received this as my email has been a bit erratic in past weeks. In fact please let me know if you are able to join us.

Alan
On behalf of Newark rangers

Our own Travel Consultant Peter advises as follows:-

Dep Derby at 07:10
change at Notts
catch the 08:01 Lincoln train and detrain at Newark Castle.
Fare is £7.10 single before any deductions.

I would have said that the nearest station to Clumber/Thoresby was Worksop from where one can go to Derby either via Notts or Sheffield. Retford is in the wrong direction but Shirebrook would be OK, although one would then have to go via Notts. I can provide more detail if needed.

We should follow Peter's advice as he knows more about such things than the Railway Operators themselves.
Should be a great day out if you can get up this early.
Let me know if you are going and we can meet at Derby Train Station.