A ride on NCR647 with the Newark Rangers
In yesterday’s grim, grey and dismal (but dry!) autumn weather, the Newark Rangers led a ride along the newly-opened section of Route 647 from Fledborough to South Lodge in Clumber Park. Starting from Newark, Maldwyn and I were led by Roger along minor roads in the Trent Valley to Fledborough, where we joined NCR647 and met the rest of the group. To the east of our meeting point the Route follows the track-bed of the old Great Central Railway line and in this direction the traffic-free trail extends all the way to Lincoln, some 12 miles away. A short way down this trail is the Fledborough railway viaduct over the Trent, and Maldwyn and I had a brief look at this before continuing westwards with the group. Apparently, the railway track-bed cannot be used in this direction as the line might be brought into use again one day, and so Route 647 follows minor roads through Tuxford, where we stopped at a café for a welcome bacon sandwich and a cuppa, past windmills at West Markham, a very elegant mausoleum at Milton, the 11th century motte of Bothamstall (the bailey no longer visible) and finally into Clumber Park, where the Route joins Route 6 at South Lodge (near which is the nutty 5th Duke of Portland’s underground ballroom – but we didn’t see that!) Pausing briefly for photos, we continued to Thoresby Hall where the Xmas Market was in full swing. Then we set out on our return journey and one by one riders peeled off, wending their various ways homewards, until there were 6 of us left at Tuxford. Spurning the (tempting) offer of a lift in Tony’s van, Roger and I rode back to Newark by the Great North Road, by which time it was already dark. An excellent ride – my thanks to Alan for organizing it! Pictures (T to B): the western approach to the Fledborough Viaduct; the viaduct; High Marnham Power Station from the viaduct; Fledborough station platforms; the group apparently lost in front of Milton Mausoleum; "Scatter, folks - there's a bus coming!"; junction of Routes 6 and 647 near South Lodge; Thoresby Hall.
In yesterday’s grim, grey and dismal (but dry!) autumn weather, the Newark Rangers led a ride along the newly-opened section of Route 647 from Fledborough to South Lodge in Clumber Park. Starting from Newark, Maldwyn and I were led by Roger along minor roads in the Trent Valley to Fledborough, where we joined NCR647 and met the rest of the group. To the east of our meeting point the Route follows the track-bed of the old Great Central Railway line and in this direction the traffic-free trail extends all the way to Lincoln, some 12 miles away. A short way down this trail is the Fledborough railway viaduct over the Trent, and Maldwyn and I had a brief look at this before continuing westwards with the group. Apparently, the railway track-bed cannot be used in this direction as the line might be brought into use again one day, and so Route 647 follows minor roads through Tuxford, where we stopped at a café for a welcome bacon sandwich and a cuppa, past windmills at West Markham, a very elegant mausoleum at Milton, the 11th century motte of Bothamstall (the bailey no longer visible) and finally into Clumber Park, where the Route joins Route 6 at South Lodge (near which is the nutty 5th Duke of Portland’s underground ballroom – but we didn’t see that!) Pausing briefly for photos, we continued to Thoresby Hall where the Xmas Market was in full swing. Then we set out on our return journey and one by one riders peeled off, wending their various ways homewards, until there were 6 of us left at Tuxford. Spurning the (tempting) offer of a lift in Tony’s van, Roger and I rode back to Newark by the Great North Road, by which time it was already dark. An excellent ride – my thanks to Alan for organizing it! Pictures (T to B): the western approach to the Fledborough Viaduct; the viaduct; High Marnham Power Station from the viaduct; Fledborough station platforms; the group apparently lost in front of Milton Mausoleum; "Scatter, folks - there's a bus coming!"; junction of Routes 6 and 647 near South Lodge; Thoresby Hall.
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