Jeff, Maldwyn and myself, met at Straws Bridge Ilkeston and then made our way south along the NT. The plan was do a circular route of about 32 miles taking in some of the Erewash Valley Trail and Trent Valley routes. We met up with Clyde at Stanton - he having made his way up the NT from Long Eaton rail station. At Stanton Gate we left the Erewash Canal and made our way easterly towards the Nottingham canal using a footpath, bridleway and Pit Lane to join the Nottingham canal just south of the Garden Centre. We continued along the canal to Coventry Lane. At this point we left the route of the Erewash Valley Trail to follow a route devised by Jeff which was considered to be quieter and a little bit more off road. So instead of following Coventry Lane we crossed over and picked up the canal path again for a short distance and then turned in to Moor Lane which, to start with, is little more than a Bridle way but eventually widens out and we passed through an amazing stone cutting (see picture). Clyde, who has a good knowledge of Geology, waxed lyrical about the rock strata. Later he did some Googling and found that the origins and purpose of the cutting was shrouded in the mists of time but that it was likely to have been a Waggonway for the transport of coal - probably from the old coal pits on Bramcote moor and could date back to the 1600`s.
After this excitement, we continued up Moor Lane, crossed over Brian Clough Way and followed a southerly course along Bridle Road. Eventually we reached Cator Lane and Meadow Lane and onwards to the Trent River trail at Attenborough nature reserve. By this time we were ready for refreshments and so paid a visit to the Visitors centre.
Continuing along the Trent river trail we eventually reached Trent Lock and then pressed on westwards to Sawley Marina.
The plan had been to cross over the Trent via the new replacement Long Horse bridge and then onwards to Shardlow. The shortest route from where we crossed B6540 to the bridge was by the footpath alongside the Trent. Alas, cyclists have to travel alongside the B6540 nearly to the A50 roundabout before finding a track leading back to Long Horse bridge.Arriving at the bridge we posed for photographs (see pictures)
and then struck out across the bridge only to find that track on the other side was impassable because of flooding (see picture). We retraced our pedals and made our way to Shardlow via the old A6 (now B5010) and then on to the Ambaston Lane to Elvaston Castle and another refreshment break - not more scones with jam and cream!
As we left the cafe we noticed these wooden sculptures - not very tempting to sit on because now the weather had taken a turn for the worse. We were battling into a cold and wet easterly wind. Clyde stayed with us until we reached Route 6 and then he turned west towards Derby station whilst we continued to the East initially on Route 6 and then on to the Derby canal route to the Erewash canal at Sandiacre and then back up the NT to our starting point. Not sure of the exact distance but probably in the region of 35 miles. We all agreed that it was an enjoyable ride.
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