The Ocbrook ride

Yesterday I took the last of the easy family rides – Ockbrook.

It is a circular family ride, following a mixture of National Cycle Network paths, off road tracks and some quiet county lanes between the city centre and the pleasant villages of Spondon and Ockbrook.

First part of my journey was the same as for the ride when I tried to reach the Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station. But this time, when I turned left onto Station Road and kept going into Borrowash until I reached a T-junction with Nottingham Road, I took the left turn onto the A6005 and then next right onto Victoria Avenue, heading north. Here I need to mention I met a white horse who was really discontent with his rider and he showed a great dislike and stubborness. So I decided to cycle on the opposite side of the avenue.

Borrowash is a small village in Derbyshire, England, situated immediately east of the Derby city boundary, with Derby canal running just along it’s Southern edge.

I stayed on Victoria Avenue until I reached Ockbrook and came to a turn for Bakehouse Lane (left) and New Street (right). A drizzle started and I continued north-east on Flood Street until I reached the T-junction with Bare Lane. At the junction I turned left up the hill, and continued until I met Dale Road. Here I turned left onto Dale Road and followed it south until I reached Sancroft Road on my right. I took right turn onto Sancroft Road and continued along it until I reached the T-junction with Locko Road.

Ockbrook is an ancient village in Derbyshire, England. It is almost continuous with the village of Borrowash. Ockbrook lies about 8 km east of Derby.

I turned left onto Locko Road and headed south into Spondon. I continued south as the road changed to Church Street and then to Lodge Lane North. I crossed the A52 via a footbridge with extra-long steps. Then I reached roundabout with the A6005 and headed straight over the roundabout (second exit) and continued south on Station Road. I got over the railway level crossing and followed the road to the right.

Spondon is a 2000 year old village, dating back to Anglo Saxon times. In 1968 Spondon was absorbed into the city of Derby, although many residents still regards Spondon as a village.

I cycled along the road until I reached A5111 and joined the cycle to the left. Then I headed south-west besides the A5111 until I crossed over the River Derwent. Then I turned left and continued west along the cycle route, with the river on my right side. And finally reached my home.

Derby cycle guides

In total I cycled for one hour and forty-six minutes and managed a distance of 23,3 km. And finally I have finished all the easy family rides (the green ones): 5 Parks Ride, Elvaston Castle, Kedleston Hall and Ockbrook.

Hmm.. I noticed it is possible to reach Nottingham via Ockbrook. Maybe I need to give a shot for this ride. 🙂

Second try: Ride to Kedleston Hall

After two hours spent in choir rehearsal and one hour spent on my way back to Derby, the weather on Sunday got better and better. Even the sun invited me to come out. So I decided to finish one of the easy family rides – Kedleston Hall which I started the previous time. But this time I cycled during the daylight.

I reached Markeaton Park where the cycle route starts. And after I reached Markeaton Lane I took the right turn towards Kedleston Hall – it’s a small unmarked road. I followed this road in a north-west direction. After a while it became a dirt track. I’m glad that I didn’t continue this road during the dusk the other day. There were several moments I thought I will get stuck in the mud too deep. Who could guess that in 15-20 minutes of cycle I would reach a countryside.

Uneven and sloppy dirt track to Kedleston Hall

I reached a junction with another track and I took turn to the right and followed the track north-east until I reached its end, at Kedleston Road. Finally a normal road surfacing! I turned left and followed Kedleston Road until I reached main entrance to Kedleston Park.

Kedleston Park portal

I turned left into Kedleston Park and cycled for a while. I crossed the stone bridge to the Y-junction. And visited Kedleston Hall. Afterwards I returned back to the Y-junction and took the left hand fork, not going over the stone bridge. And headed north-west until I reached the stone portal at the North-West entrance.

Kedleston Park and Kedleston Hall

I got out the portal and turned left onto Mercaston Lane. I followed the lane until I reached Lodge Lane on my left. But since I didn’t want to return to the dirt track, I followed Lodge Lane until I reached Ashbourne Road (A52) and turned left. Now I just needed to head forward until I reach Derby. On my way back to Derby I noticed a very nice church on my left – All Saints Church. I’m really happy about my ride – I enjoyed all the ups and downs.

All Saints Church

In total I cycled for two hours and managed a distance of 21 km. Three easy family rides (5 Parks Ride, Elvaston Castle and Kedleston Hall) suggested by Cycle Derby are done. And there is one left – Ockbrook.

Dusky ride to Kedleston Hall

Yesterday I decided to take one of the easy family rides – Kedleston Hall.

Kedleston Hall is a National Trust property, set in over 800 acres of parkland and landscaped pleasure gardens.

I needed to get to Markeaton Park where the cycle route starts. It was 5:20 p.m. and really cloudy and windy. I took Osmaston Road, Lara Croft Way, Green Lane, Victoria Street and Ashbourne Road toward Markeaton Park. I passed by Markeaton Park Light Railway and crossed Markeaton Park till I reached Mundy Park.

Markeaton Railway in October, 2010

Markeaton Park in October, 2010

Afterwards I reached Markeaton Lane I took a right turn towards Kedleston Hall. The road was really uneven and sloppy. There were no street lights and a drizzle started. A common sense took a victory over me and I decided to return back to Derby via Kingsway and Uttoxeter New Road.

In total I cycled for one hour and a half and managed a distance of 13 km. I need to admit – cycling is much nicer during the daylight.

P.S. I met a fox this time. 🙂