| 1. A leisurely ride of 25 miles, totally flat, nearly all on off road cycle tracks plus a few quiet roads between Elvaston Castle and Shardlow. Places visited are Elvaston - Shardlow - Trent Lock - Long Eaton - Draycott - Borrowash - Derby.
General route details are:
* follow the NCN route 6 north to Alvaston park then turn right eastwards to Elvaston Castle
* follow the perimeter cycle path to the south and exit the park via the church road, turn right then almost immediate left into Ambaston Lane
* follow this to Shardlow
* then follow Tamworth road until it crosses the river then cross over and follow the path alongside River Trent to Trent Lock
* then follow the Erewash Canal/Nutbrook Trail until you meet the NCN route 6 again at West Park, Long Eaton (Note if you find yourself under the foot bridge over to the park then you've gone too far, back track 100yards and follow the cycle path alongside Tamworth Road and turn right into Broad Street to access the footbridge)
* Follow the NCN route 6 through the park and all the way back to Derby
The more adventurous can carry on when reaching Trent lock along the cycle path to Nottingham City Centre and follow the 'Big Track' there (adds 25 miles on to trip) |