| 1. A Comfortable evening ride with plenty of refreshment stops on route.
Starting from Rolls-Royce, ride past the training school, turn right onto Wilmore road and then at the disused level crossing turn left to follow the old railway track until you reach a left fork. Follow this, turning immediately right and then follow the signs on the roads to lead you onto the Derby canal path cycle route (NCN route 6) via Hoveton Close.
Turn right and ride away from the city following the cycle path until you reach Swarkestone lock, here you can turn left and follow the cycle path to Melbourne and back for a refreshment stop (or go straight on down Lowes lane to the Crewe and Harpur pub for beer/food), or you can turn right here and shorten the route by 7 miles.
Once you've returned to Swarkestone Lock from Melbourne go straight on following the Trent and Mersey Canal towpath all the way to Willington. It is permited to use this section of the towpath for cycling but it is a bit rough in places and not ideal for a true road bike, hybrids and mountain bikes are fine. You're supposed to get a permit for this section of the route from here: http://www.waterscape.com/canals-and-rivers/trent-and-mersey-canal/cycling
Once you reach Willington more refreshment stops beckon, then turn right at the second mini roundabout and follow this road (caution - can be busy) until the cross roads with Egginton road, turn right here.
Follow this road until you reach Etwall, ride through Etwall until you reach the cycle route sign for Derby via Sutton lane. Ride down Sutton lane to join the Mickleover Greenway cycle route all the way to Mickleover.
Following the clearly marked cycle route signs for Derby City Centre, turn right then immediate left into Onslow road and follow the blue signs all the way into Derby. |