Erewash Valley Trail ride Wed 2 March 2011

As a start to our season of rides, there will be a ride on the new, joined-up Erewash Valley Trail on Wednesday 2 March 2011. Meet at Trent Lock from 09:45, to move off at 10:00. The route will be over the newly-tarmacked stretch of the Erewash Canal towpath to Pastures Lock, beyond Sandiacre, then continuing on the towpath all the way to Langley Mill. We will stop on the way to admire the Bennerley Viaduct. Refreshments will be available at Langley Mill (Great Northern pub, KFC, new Asda, etc). Then southwards on the Nottingham Canal path (the canal is partly in water, but not at all navigable) to Coventry Lane, Bramcote. Then roads and paths through Stapleford, Chilwell and Attenborough Nature Reserve (bring your binoculars) to the River Trent, finally returning to Trent Lock by the Trent Valley Greenway. Total distance is about 25 miles, according to the promotional leaflet. The best way to Trent Lock by public transport is probably by train from Derby (dep 09:24) or Nottingham (dep 09:18) to Long Eaton railway station (arr 09:33 or 09:35 respectively). Then Fields Farm Rd to Sheet Stores Bridge over the canal. A short ride on the towpath brings you to Trent Lock.