Every Saturday morning a training ride leaves Derby, alternating between a hilly route heading north and a flatter route heading south.
These rides are not organised by or affiliated with Derby Mercury RC, however a number of DMRC members regularly ride them.
Both these rides are ridden at fairly quick pace, suitable for someone who is relatively experienced on a bike. They would suit someone looking to get in to road racing. Unlike a classic club run that rides at the pace of the slowest person, riders do sometimes get dropped and the group doesn’t always re-form, particularly towards the end of the ride.
The rides alternate North / South every week. For 2023 there is a North Ride on 25th March, followed by the South Ride on 1st April . If you want to come along and are unsure which ride is going out just ask on the the DMRC Facebook Group.
The North Ride
This ride leaves the small car park opposite bargain booze on the A6 in Allestree at 8.10am and heads north. It leaves the A6 at Whatstandwell and climbs up to Crich (when its icy it sometimes continues towards Matlock and Chatsworth). After a short re-group it heads along the tops to Beeley Moor, drops down to Baslow, up 13 bends, through Bakewell and up the Miners climb, before crossing the Via Gellia and heading towards Carsington for a coffee. Afterwards it heads back to Derby via Hulland Ward. In the summer an extension to Owler Bar and down Froggatt is often added.
Strava Link for the Summer North Ride route.
The South Ride
This ride leaves the Great Northern pub in Mickleover at 8.30am heading out along Radbourne Lane. It then passes through the villages of Church Broughton, Hatton, Rolleston and Dunstall before arriving at Abbotts Bromley. From here the pace usually increases and a chain gang is formed to Uttoxeter. After passing through Uttoxeter and up the cycle path alongside the A50 a chain gang reforms through Doveridge and Sudbury, before stopping for a coffee at the Salt Box in Hatton or the Dragon in Willington.
Strava link for the South Ride via the Salt Box .
Strava link for the South Ride via the Dragon .