Distance: 15 - 25 miles
Pace: Easy
Terrain: Trails and minor roads.
Finish: Around 3pm or sooner

Our rides are scheduled for the 2nd or 3rd Thursday of each month, unless the date is inconvenient. We hope to stick to the agreed routes and dates, but circumstances (weather, usually) may dictate a change.
We aim to enjoy the ride, so we take our time and chat along the way. The rides are not a test of stamina, but are intended to help us keep fit, so we balance the easy bits with a few hills (hills are unavoidable around Ashbourne). But if a particular hill is too tough it's ok to get off and walk.

About halfway or beyond we stop for a snack lunch, normally at a pub or cafe. I try to arrange the ride to give the shorter distance afterwards but it is not always possible. So, no excuse, if you have access to a bike with sufficient gears to cope with the hills, pump up the tyres and join us. Electric bikes are welcome. Cycling is the easiest and most effective way to keep fit.

Click on an image to enlarge it and to scroll through the gallery.

If you intend to join us please email me. ( Contact details at the top of the page. )
If you are new to the group please let me have a phone number - in case I have to inform you of any changes, or ring you on the day to cancel the ride (usually because of bad weather).
U3A require me to ask for an emergency contact and phone number. If you haven't ridden with us before please let me have these prior to the ride.

Please:

• Bring a spare inner tube (quicker, and more reliable, than repairing a puncture)
• Wear reflective clothing.
• Wear a helmet.
• Lights, particularly rear lights, and a bell are recommended.

I hope to see some of you out on rides. I have made the dates more flexible to avoid riding on the same week as walking.
Please let me know if you are intending to ride with us and also let me know if you have to cancel. This group is not only for men, any ladies who wish to join us will be made very welcome.
Happy cycling

For more information please contact me (see above).

FUTURE DATES FOR 2026

15th January, 12th February, 12th March, 23rd April, 21st May, 18th June, 16th July, 20th August, 10th September, 8th October, 5th November, 10th December

NOTE :- I HAVE CHANGED THE DATE IN AUGUST FROM 13TH TO THE 20TH.

Cycling Meetings for 2026

Date	Meeting Place	Details
15th January		Six cyclists braved the cold on a short ride up the Tissington Trail in the morning with lunch at Cornerstone Cafe on our return to Ashbourne. We cycled to Tissington before turning round. Total distance was about eight miles.
12th February		A select group of four cyclists rode on the Tissington Trail with lunch at Herbert's Tea Rooms on the return journey. We cycled up to Alsop Station before riding back on the trail to Tissington for lunch. The first section of the return journey was by road to Thorpe and the rest of the route back to Ashbourne was on the trail. Total distance was about 14 miles. I was the only one doing it the hard way without electrical assistance.
12th March		A ride to the Hollybush Inn at Church Broughton for lunch via Wyaston, Yeaveley, Rodsley and Longford. The return journey was via Alkmonton, Yeaveley and Wyaston. Total distance was approximately 20 miles ( 12 out, 8 back) Five cyclists braved the strong winds and many potholes. We cycled into the wind on way out and since I was the only one doing it the hard way I found it very tiring. Fortunately it was behind us on the way back and we finished before it rained.
23rd April		Twelve cyclists went on the ride from Clifton to the Ramblers Retreat via Snelston, Thurvaston, Rocester, JCB HQ, Churnet Valley Cycleway to Alton, then Red Road. On the way two of us suffered punctures. After lunch we returned via Dimmings Dale, Red Road, Oakamoor, Churnet Valley Cycleway, JCB testing ground, Ellastone and Norbury. Two electric bikes had trouble on this part of the route. One ran out of power and had to be recovered from Ellastone and the other jammed it's chain and the rider returned to Clifton by pushing and freewheeling. Total distance was approx 22.5 miles ( 12 out and 10.5 return) Malcolm Hall kindly led the ride for me and had to do the bike recovery! Two other manual bikes joined me on this ride but the other nine had electrical assistance.
21st May		Seven cyclists ( two on a tandem ) rode on the Manifold Trail to the Manifold Inn for lunch with a visit to Wetton Mill Tea Rooms for coffee on the way. On reaching Hulme End we cycled on the road to lunch via Brund. After lunch, we returned via a road section and track before returning on the trail. Total distance was approx 21 miles ( 12 out and 9 back. We had no problems this time and were blessed with ideal weather which became progressively warmer during the day.
18th June		Nine riders cycled on the Tissington Trail and roads to the Knockerdown Inn for Lunch. We were able to sit outside in the wonderful weather. The outbound route was on the trail to Tissington and then by road to the Knockerdown Inn via Bradbourne and a diversion via Brassington.We ignored the road closure on the return journey and used the original route via Bradbourne. The total distance was slightly longer than the original 17 miles and the route was hilly! The two of us who were not assisted by electricity had to walk up some slopes!
16th July		Nine cyclists on eight bikes rode from Weston Underwood to Newlands Farm for lunch via Ednaston, Hollington and Longford. We returned via Sutton on the Hill and Longford Lane Village. The total distance was approx 22 miles on mainly quiet country roads. Most bikes were electrically assisted but two including the tandem were doing it the hard way and found it tiring on the return journey in the heat. Thanks to Barry for leading the ride.
20th August	Meet at 10.30am on Old Derby Road near the roundabout with Wyaston Road.	A ride from Ashbourne to the Crown Inn at Marston Montgomery for lunch. The outward route goes via Wyaston, Yeaveley, Rodsley, Alkmonton and Cubley.The return journey is via Cubley, Yeaveley and Wyaston. Total distance is about 20 miles ( 11.5 out, 8.5 return) Please let me know by 6pm on Tuesday 18th August if you intend to join us.
10th September	Meet at Tissington Station car park on the Tissington Trail at 10.30am	A ride on the Tissington Trail to Parsley Hay followed by a road section to the Waterloo Inn at Biggin for lunch. The return route will be on the trail. Total distance approx 19.5 miles ( 13 before lunch and 6.5 afterwards) Please let me know by 6pm on Tuesday 8th September if you are intending to join us.
8th October	Meet at 10.30am at Hassop Station car park.	A ride on the Monsal Trail to Wye Dale with a break at Millers Dale and then back to Hassop Station cafe for lunch. Total distance approx 15 miles Please let me know by 6pm on Tuesday 6th October.
5th November	Meet at Ashbourne Leisure centre car park at 10.30am at the far end.	Tony Greenway has agreed to organise this ride which will start from Ashbourne Leisure Centre car park at 10.30am. The ride will be on the Tissington Trail to Alsop Station and then back to Herbert's Tea Rooms at Tissington for lunch. The return journey will be on the road to Thorpe before re- joining the trail to Ashbourne. Total distance is approx 16 miles ( 11 out and 5 return) Tony would like you to decorate your bikes with Christmas Lights if possible as it is the last ride of the year. Please let Tony know if you intend to join the ride by Tuesday evening 3rd December. His contact details will be at the top of the page.
10th December		Christmas Lunch at the Royal Oak. Lorraine has kindly offered to collect menu choices in advance of the meal. Thanks Lorraine.