Cycling
As a kid I used to cycle everywhere but for many years the distances travelled to and from work and family made cycling unreasonable. When we moved back to Rotherham and everywhere I visited regularly was within a 5 mile radius I decided that I would get a bicycle. That is until I borrowed one for a week and tried out some of the hills.
BMX Tracks and Trails
Brampton BMX Track
Brampton BMX Track comprises four straights with some really nice jumps, three big berms (tarmacked), last straight splits into two lines of different size tables. First straight is great fun and rides like trails! Distance 5.7 miles.
Brampton Bierlow Park (off Wath Road), Brampton Bierlow, Wath. Free coaching sessions 2010 visit the wbsite
www.yorkshire.groundwork.org.ukGreasbrough Trails
Greasbrough Trails consist of a dirt jumping area which is constantly growing, really chilled out, out of sight of people & roads. Whether you can jump 6 or 26ft - check us out. Helmets a must! Distance 5.7 miles. Directions - Take B6089 main road from Rotherham town centre (past old B&Q site on left and Fosters Cycles on right on Thames Street) towards Greasbrough. You'll get to a roundabout and road goes straight up a dual carriageway. As you get to the top, on left hand side is a gap in fence and a footpath goes back down the hill. If you get to the dumpit site you've gone too far. Follow the footpath left and he trails are in the field and can be hard to find despite their size but the field isn't that big and they are located about 50yds away from the road-side fence between the roundabout and the dumpit site.
The Cheap
The jumps are all mostly dirt jumps for bmxs and mountain bikes. There are 2 sets of jumps, one for the beginner and one set for the more advanced rider. There is also a bowl which isn't as deep as it used to be but still can offer a good time for those who ride them. Directions - Once you get into Rotherham head for Parkgate. It's well signposted and you can't miss it because there is a huge retail park there. From Parkgate head up a road called Great Eastern Way. To be sure if you're on it there should be a Staples store on your right. Then you will come to a roundabout. Go straight on down the road which goes past a pub called the Station. To be sure if you're going in the right direction you should also dip under a railway bridge. Take your next right. There will be a sign saying J.D Wragg. The jumps are on private land but don't worry. The owner doesn't mind. If the gates are locked use the gap in the fence. Head left up the hill. Then head straight forward and across the second hill. The hills are short but steep and are a pain for mountain bikers. After this the jumps will become visible. You are advised against taking any young kids there as The Cheap is between two main railway lines and one isn't fenced off. Info from
www.gravity-slaves.co.uk in 2010.
Bicycle Hire
Visitors can be hire bicycles at Rother Valley Country Park but I have been unable to find any other place to hire a bike in the area.
Cycling Clubs
Dinnington Racing Club
"One of the most active cycling clubs in South Yorkshire, Dinnington Racing Club has two sections in Doncaster and Rotherham. We have about 40 members, over half of them racing members. Catering for all ages and abilities we have at least four training/club runs a week."
Website at
www.dinningtonrc.co.uk.
Leisure Cycling
Cycle lanes have been set up on some of Rotherham's roads and cycle gates at many of the traffic lights. Needless to say most of the car drivers don't have the slightest idea what they are for.
About 14 miles of National Cycle Network have been introduced in the Rotherham area. In addition 28 miles of Trans Pennine Trail are now available. The route along the towpath of the South Yorkshire Navigation Canal also offers an 8 mile traffic-free route between Rotherham and Sheffield. You must display a valid British Waterways permit on your cycle at all times.
There is a leaflet available which shows a map of the cycle routes in Rotherham. The Rotherham map, based on the Ordnance Survey's South Yorkshire Street Atlas, is the largest in the CycleCity series - 50 per cent more mapping - and covers the whole of the borough. It is published by Rotherham Borough Council and produced by CycleCity Guides, the map is available free from Rotherham Visitor Centre.
Round Rotherham Rides
There are also a series of Round Rotherham Rides suitable for cyclists or horse riders. The leaflets are available free from Rotherham Visitor Centre.
- Round Firbeck Ride
- Round Kiveton Park Ride
- Round Ravenfield Ride
- Round Rotherham Ride
- Round Ulley Ride
- Round Wentworth Ride
- Round Woodsetts Ride
Useful Links
Sustrans
More about sustainable ways of transport.
Waterscape
Free permit for canal cycling and copy Waterways Code.
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