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Unofficial Website
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.
Cycling Clubs
"Its a great club and doing very well considering its their first year. Some serious riders doing well for Rotherham's reputation!"Visit their website at www.rotherhambmx.com.
"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."Visit their website at www.dinningtonrc.co.uk.
Leisure Cycling
Cycle lanes have been set up on some of Rotherham's roads and the Council is very keen to encourage people to cycle to work and leave their cars at home. Now I have not been on a bike since I was eighteen or so. I have thought many times about buying one but there are an awful lot of hills around here and my legs are getting too old for all that hard work. Anyhow I asked my cousin, who does a bit of cycling, for his comments:-
- Cycle lanes are great as far as they go which is not far enough.
- Rotherham traffic is heavy and impatient so you have to watch your back, your front, your sides, at all times.
- Great on a dry day but not much good turning up for the office in a sopping wet suit.
On fine weekends he and his wife often put the bike rack on the car and drive off somewhere for the afternoon. Rother Valley Country Park has good cycling as does Clumber Park. Other than that he considers that cycle routes are quite restricted.
September 2001 I have just found a leaflet which shows a map of the cycle routes in Rotherham. Published by Rotherham Borough Council and produced by CycleCity Guides, the
map is available free from council offices. 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. This shows more paths than my cousin has even considered including designated cycle routes, traffic free paths, bridleways, and byways.
recommended routes.
The Trans-Pennine Trail and the National Cycle Network are marked as they pass through the area and they are combined with a network of Local tourist features and cafes useful to cyclists are also marked. Absolutely invaluable for any cyclist in or visiting the Borough.
There is also a leaflet of "Round Rotherham Rides" suitable for cyclists or horse riders. Copies are available from the Transportation Unit at Rotherham Borough Council Tel. 01709 822951 or Tourist Information Centre Tel. 01709 835904 or Email. tic@rotherham.gov.uk.
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.
I have been advised that guided rides mainly for inexperienced riders are available through the Health Action Zone cycle leadership scheme where two leaders take people on rides round Manvers Lake. To book a ride phone Wath on Dearne Swimming Pool 01709 872262.