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	Meet at 10.30am at the far end of the Leisure Centre car park in Ashbourne	A ride on the Tissington Trail and roads to the Knockerdown Inn for Lunch. The outbound route is on the trail to Tissington and then by road to the Knockerdown via Bradbourne. We will return the same way. The total distance is only approx 17 miles but the route is hilly! Please let me know if you intend to join us by 6pm on Tuesday 16th June.
16th July	Meet in Weston Underwood. Parking available and more details later.	Barry and Chris are organising and leading this ride and it starts by their houses in Weston Underwood. We will be cycling to Newlands Farm for lunch via Ednaston, Hollington and Longford. We will return via Sutton on the Hill and Longford Lane Village. The total distance is approx 22 miles on mainly quiet country roads. Please let me know if you intend to join us by midday on Tuesday 14th July.
20th August		Details later
10th September		Details later
8th October		Details later
5th November		I now have a volunteer to lead this ride. Tony Greenway has agreed to organise it. Thanks Tony.
10th December		Christmas Lunch at the Royal Oak. Lorraine has kindly offered to collect menu choices in advance of the meal. Thanks Lorraine.