Nobody believed that yesterday it’s going to be a hot day – the temperature reached 33,3 degrees. And I knew I need to get a tan for the rest part of my body, because during the unconference Cycling for Libraries I managed to tan only partly and in six days I’m going to wear a beautiful dress for my friends’ wedding. So I went for a risk and went out for a cycling.
I left home shortly before half past one and returned back shortly before six. The cycling time was three hours and thirteen minutes, and I managed a distance of 50 km. The average speed was 15,5 km per hour, but the maximums speed was 34,6 km per hour.
I didn’t know where to cycle, I just knew I needed to find a cycle route without lot of shadows. And since I didn’t want to cycle on busy roads, I cycled downstreams along the River Derwent. I passed by Alvaston Park and the turn to Elvaston Castle, till I reached the bridge to Borrowash. Here I thought I will cycle to Long Eaton once more. But suddenly I noticed a road sign to Sandiacre, and remembered there is a really nice canal path I could cycle along. So I took the Nottingham Road (B5010) to Sandiacre.
Sandiacre is situated 11 km west of Nottingham and 14,5 km east of Derby. I have visited it once during one of my cycling days. So I was sure, I will like it.
Indeed, it was a really good day for cycling – it was sunny and a light wind accompanied me. Before continuing along Erewash Canal, I had an ice-cream break. 🙂 And I noticed a rowan-tree full with orange berries. Is it autumn already? 😀
I cycled from Sandiacre Lock towards Trent Lock where Erewash Canal meets Trent & Mersey Canal. I cycled along the National Cycle Network No. 67, by the way. And here it was the Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station. Finally I managed to get to it really close!
I continued to cycle along Trent & Mersey Canal. But soon the canal path ended. So I need to find a solution. I knew that the canal path continues. So I decided to follow a couple of cyclists who apparently knew where they’re cycling and I felt they also like to cycle along the cycle path. Eventually, after taking some busy roads and loosing my cyclists, I managed to get back to Trent & Mersey Canal. I knew this part of canal path from my previous journeys, so I cycled towards Swarkestone Lock. I felt really hungry and both water bottles were empty, so after reaching Swarkestone Lock I cycled back to Derby along National Cycle Network No. 6.
It was a nice adventure and also a possibility to discover new cycling sites. Now I hope my skin won’t hurt too much after this active sunbathing on my bicycle.