Retirement of Jane Chapman from Sustrans

Hi,

Some of you may be aware that Jane is retiring. On our behalf I asked if she was having a leaving "do" - she is but it is tomorrow (Wednesday) and I cannot get there due to our weekly commitment to Grandchildren. She has however advised that she will be in the Derby area on Saturday 9th March see her daughter and Grandchildren and wondered if we could arrange a ride. Any thoughts?

pcf

Derwent Valley Cycleway news

Readers may be interested to see the latest news from the Derwent Valley Cycleway project - see this link for the latest (and earlier) newsletters and where you can also sign up for future editions (free).

You might be surprised to hear that, whilst England have 18 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the only one in the East Midlands (Derwent Valley Mills) is also the only one without adequate cycle connections.

The map shows the extent of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site (in green) and the existing National Cycle Network (in red). You can see that there are obvious missing links.

More information on this and comparisons with other World Heritage Sites here.

A Lick of Paint .....................

................ works wonders, so they say, and that would be an understatement here on NCN Route 6 in Alvaston Park where the grubby old Sustrans milepost has been dramatically brought to life by the expert hands of Pat Wilson.

A retired pottery artist and a keen cyclist she has repainted many of the mileposts on the Network, several of them in our local area.

Here is Pat hard at work on our milepost at Mickleover Station in 2017.

Such artistry brings the Network to a new level of sophistication.

Dash4It maps

Thought I;d put this on as a test, to see if I can still put posts on this blog.

Dash4It sells maps, including OS Landranger maps, online. Up till this coming Sunday 24 Feb, they are selling all maps at £11 for 2 maps. Probably the best deal you'll get!

Testing Post

Hello,

This is a post from Tom Aplin testing the blog's capabilities, as Les has now given me access to post on the site, and allowed me access as an administrator.

I will aim to share the blog with all Sustrans Derby Volunteers to gain some traction with the site, wish me luck!

Best wishes,
Tom

"Tales from the Trail" - occasional postings about the Mickleover Greenway.

There is currently a programme of selective tree removal, performed by contractors in areas specified by Derbyshire County Council Countryside Services.  The purpose is to let more light in and avoid the previous appearance of an overgrown tunnel.  It is not known if this is to encourage the growth of rare plants in some areas.

Two stretches have been done, so far - an area between Hepnall's Bridge and the nearby farm crossing, together with another section between Bearwardcote and Bannells Gates (adjacent to Milestone 2)

Most of the trees and bushes removed were self-seeded ash.  All material has been left on site, so far. Small logs are neatly stacked and branches shredded.

Protest Ride

A protest was held today by Derby Cycling Group about the proposed removal of cycle/bus lanes in Friargate.

Close on 100 cyclists turned out in bright sunshine and unseasonably high temperatures, which was fortunate for those numbering about a dozen who stripped to their underpants (/knickers - for there was one brave lady) and rode along Friargate.

Impassioned speeches were delivered by organisors Dave Clasby (right) and Tony Roelich (below) followed by several other local cycling and clean air celebrities.

 

Watch Out!

Watch out if you are cycling in South Derbyshire, especially in the village of Milton, between Repton and Swarkeston.

February Informal Lunch

In spite of grim weather in the morning there was a good turnout at Don Amott's Cafe today, and we were pleased to welcome Tom Alpin of Sustrans who has taken over from Dan Richardson as our primary link with Sustrans.

           Here we are then in this fine photograph by John Ratcliffe.
Left to right; Mavis Ratcliffe, Les Sims, Sue Harris, Phil Harris, Tom Aplin, Jerry Evans, Nick Potter.

Air Pollution in Derby

In a vain attempt to conform with government limitations on air pollution, Derby City Council are proposing to remove existing cycle lanes from Friargate so that traffic from Stafford Street (where there is excess pollution) can travel even faster as it speeds along our congested streets.

This will not cure the problem of course, but just move it somewhere else. It will however make cycling in Derby considerably less safe. 

Derby Cycling Group are arranging a protest ride at 11am on Saturday 16th February.
Please come along if you can.
For more info click HERE

Matlock Ride

A few months ago, in lovely sunny weather I cycled on my Ebike along the A6 through Matlock Bath and into Matlock after climbing UP (yes UP!) Sheep Pasture Incline from the Cromford Canal followed by a long freewheel down Cromford Hill.
Instead of staring out of the window at the wintry landscape take a look at the video HERE and look forward to being out cycling in such nice warm sunny weather.
For further info on the whole ride see my blog "Two Wheels and a Camera"  Click HERE2