CYCLING

Get Fit this Spring!

The Cycling Group is always looking for new members so don’t be shy and get that old bike out of the shed and fettled up.

We typically drive out into Derbyshire or Cheshire and then ride 25 – 35 miles in 4 - 6 hours including stops depending on terrain and time of year. We ride an easy pace and happily wait for stragglers, there are coffee and lunch stops planned at nice cafes or pubs and if you’re feeling tired, short cuts back to the car are sometimes possible.

Contact Derek Petersen, the Group Leader.

The Cycling Group

The Cycling Group, founded in 2007, generally meets once a month for leisurely rides of 25 to 35 miles with lunch stops at a café or pub. The outings continue throughout the year (weather permitting) mainly on minor roads, canal tow-paths and cycle trails. A mixture of touring, road, hybrid and mountain bikes is used on the rides.

The Group is a combination of members from both the New Mills and the Buxton U3As with all members being encouraged to lead a ride of their choice during the year if they so wish.

(click on image to enlarge)

Rides usually start from either New Mills or Buxton, however to provide alternative landscapes and routes members sometimes transport their bikes by car further afield.

New Mills U3A Cycling Group Christmas 2011 Ride

The Cycling Group had an enjoyable Christmas ride on 21st December 2011 which involved a New Mills and district petite randonnee of about 15 miles with some hilly bits and a selection of contemporary urban architecture, extensive upland views, industrial heritage, rural idylls and quaint village ambiance. (Disley, Whaley Bridge, Buxworth, Chinley and Hayfield for the aficionados!)

An extended Christmas lunch was taken at the Waltzing Weasel, Birch Vale followed by an easy bucolic amble home along the Sett Valley Trail. Coffee and mince pies were served at Chez Petersen (Val & Derek’s home) to round off a very nice day.

The turnout was good with 7 riders and 5 joining the lunch party by car and foot.

Howard Apps.

Thanks to Christine Moore for the pictures (click on images to enlarge).

New Mills U3A Cycling Group November 2011 Ride

On 16 November 2011the cycling group enjoyed a ride around the wilder corners of Staffordshire, starting from Rudyard Lake and visiting Bosley Cloud, Biddulph Moor in the fog, with lunch at a welcome pub in Biddulph. Some exotic animals were seen on the way! Thanks to Dave and Liz for leading this ride. (Click on images to enlarge.)

A short detour on foot to the top of Bosley Cloud

There are some strange animals in the fields of Staffordshire!

And even stranger... Derek saw a kangaroo and a large anthill! (Actually he detoured to Australia!)

New Mills U3A Cycling Group at Historic Monsal Tunnels Opening

The Cycling Group ride on Wednesday 25th May 2011 included the Monsal Trail and attendance at the official opening of the newly paved and lit Monsal Tunnels which now allow full access for walkers, cyclists and horse riders from Blackwell Mill south of Buxton through to near Haddon Hall south of Bakewell. The trail is on the trackbed of the old London Midland railway line.

At Parsley Hay

The ride started at Parsley Hay and routed via Monyash, Taddington, Blackwell, Monsal Trail to Bakewell then through Youlgreave, Middleton and Friden returning along the High Peak Trail, a distance of about 26 miles.

At the start another assembling group of ‘senior cyclists’ was encountered who turned out to be the Huddersfield U3A, so some banter was exchanged!

The official Tunnels opening ceremony took place at midday on the Monsal Head Viaduct at the entrance to Headstone Tunnel with speeches by various dignitaries, singing of ‘On a Bicycle made for Two’ followed by the tape cutting.

The Cycling Group was proud to achieve First Gentleman, First Lady and First Tandem through the tunnel after the tape was cut! Well done to Mark, Val, Edwina and Nigel.

Lunch was taken at Hassop Station cafe and a fine day was had by all.

The leader of the next ride hopes to exceed this achievement and make it all the way down to St. Pancras (riders please bring enough food and drink......!).

Reports of previous rides:

• 2010 and 2009 rides