Sheffield FridayNightRide

we have nothing to lose but our chains

2009/02/27 Steel and Mills

Next Sheffield FridayNightRide

Friday February 27 2009

Steel and Mills

Meet 6-6.30 for a 6.45 start at Devonshire Green

Bring lights and locks!

A ride out through the west of town past steel magnate’s mansions to Forge Dam and then back down on roads and trails through the Porter Valley stopping at sites and remains from the 17th, 18th and 19th century steel industry into Sharrow going through the prettiest short cut in Sheffield to see the still working snuff mill and ride by Mark Firth’s grave, then to visit the last cementation furnace and some renovated little mesters workshops to finish at the Shakespeare pub at the end of Furnace Hill where crucible steel was started up in Sheffield city itself.

(Mick is cheesed off as he can’t make this ride but he really enjoyed the recce – highly recommended)

 

Heads up! This is all on roads, paths AND trails but no real off-road stuff; (bridleway and road from Forge Dam to Wiremill Dam then road and metalled paths through Bingham Woods and Endcliffe Park) some of the route has no street lighting so bring lights!  Probably not suitable for fixed wheels or delicate road bikes.  The final climb into Fulwood can be hard work but the downhill return journey is well worth it.  Total distance approx. 10 miles.

map at

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=108285123450551660446.000461da5af92c37d98c6&z=13

 

Start Devonshire Green then up Broomspring Lane left into Gloucester St and cut through into Park Lane and along Clarkehouse Rd, Endcliffe Vale Rd, Fulwood Rd past Firth’s mansion at Oakbrook (now Notre Dame School) into Fulwood and turn down to Forge Dam.  Take the bridleway up to Whiteley Wood Rd and then left down to Wiremill Dam then Whiteley Wood Rd to pick up the trail through Bingham Park and on into Endcliffe Park to Hunters Bar.  Up Sharrow Vale Rd, cut through Frog Walk through the General Cemetery and then left through Broomhall and Netherthorpe down to Shalesmoor and finally down Furnace Hill to West Bar to finish at the Shakespeare.

See the map for route, landmarks and sites

 

Sheffield Friday Night Ride is not a club or society and there is no formal membership or sub; it is a mix of cycling, interest in one’s city and beer.  It is just something I, and others, organise; all are welcome to join in on the rides or organising rides as and when they want – email sheffieldfridaynightride@blueyonder.co.uk to get on the mailing list – standing ad in the Sheffield Telegraph.

 

Ride Report

We never did one for this ride.  About 6 or 7 nightriders, impressive for Feb, enjoyed a fine ride including nighttime descent of some of the Porter trails and then meeting a person who kipped in the Necropolis at the General Cemetery, as a ‘resident’, who after the inital shock of being disturbed acted as a guide to the tombs and mausoleums.  Final drinks in the Shakespeare pub on Gibraltar St.