Cycle Ride Campaign Aims To Highlight UNESCO Sustainable Cycleway

On the morning of Saturday May 18, Derwent Valley Trust will be organising a cycle up the A6 from Derby University to Matlock to highlight the lack of alternative provision for cycles up and through our World Heritage Site.

The campaign aims to show support for a “dedicated, safe, off-highway cycleway all the way up the valley from Derby to Chatsworth and connecting to the High Peak Trail and the Monsal Trail’s White Peak Loop to Buxton.”

Experienced riders are asked to cycle up the A6 from Derby University to Matlock to highlight the lack of alternative provision for cycles up and through our World Heritage Site.

On the same morning Derwent Valley Trust are organising an alternative campaign ride from Rowsley to Matlock for families, and less experienced cyclists, along the only section of separate safe cycleway, to highlight what can be achieved and how the extension of this south to Derby and north to Chatsworth would provide such a popular facility for visitors, tourist, and commuters within the valley.

Both rides will meet up in Hall Leys Park Matlock, where in addition to a presentation and group photo, there’ll be a safe compound for bikes, competitions for silly cycle hats, generating energy on a bike, and penalty shoot-outs.

There will be a brass band and a pop duo, a hog roast and other refreshments, plus the existing play facilities and miniature railway.

Families will be able to return to Rowsley Via Peak Rail’s Steam Railway with a discounted ticket if they wish.

Richard Thoday, from Matlock, who is officially the fastest man on a penny farthing,  is lending his support to the project and said: “I have lived in the area almost all of my live and travel up and down the Derwent Valley daily to get to work, to do shopping, to visit family or just for leisure. Cycling is a great way to travel but the A6 is an intimidating and difficult place to ride. For many people who are not confident cyclists it is just too scary to contemplate riding in this environment and so feel resigned to using the car for all journeys.

Having a safe, traffic free route through the Derwent Valley would be such a wonderful thing. It would allow people to walk and ride in a quiet, safe and sociable environment helping them to become fitter, healthier and happier.”

Registration for riders and volunteers is now open so sign up now at www.derwentvalleycycleway.org.uk

Photo: Richard Thoday on the Penny Farthing