Having given up smoking some 12 months ago, now is the time for me to shed the pound or two (stone or two) that I have gained since quitting.

With this in mind I recently purchased a mountain bike in order to get a littke fitter.

Other than the fact that sitting on the saddle is like straddling a razor blade, and that my center of gravity has altered since I last got on a bike, I have one question for you.

As I live on the top of a hill in Crosspool everywhere I could go is downhill, but consequently getting back is a heart attack inducing uphill slog! Does anyone have any ideas of routes etc. I dont mind putting the bike in the car and travelling (No messages about pollution thanks as the ammount of CO2 I exhaust when riding must be high)

Originally posted by firsteuro
Having given up smoking some 12 months ago, now is the time for me to shed the pound or two (stone or two) that I have gained since quitting.

With this in mind I recently purchased a mountain bike in order to get a littke fitter.

Other than the fact that sitting on the saddle is like straddling a razor blade, and that my center of gravity has altered since I last got on a bike, I have one question for you.

As I live on the top of a hill in Crosspool everywhere I could go is downhill, but consequently getting back is a heart attack inducing uphill slog! Does anyone have any ideas of routes etc. I dont mind putting the bike in the car and travelling (No messages about pollution thanks as the ammount of CO2 I exhaust when riding must be high)

You could try cycling out to Redmires from there and then on to Stanage, if you can still breath. My advice is don't be afraid to get off if you start getting distressed. If you do get off, wheel your bike along and from time to time squeeze the front tyre and shake your head mournfully.

Good luck. :thumbsup:

Why don't you try cycling around the dam at Red Mires? It's lovely and peaceful and flat. Although the ground isn't smooth.

Or what about the dam at Bradfield? Cycle on the road, and drop down to the cricket pitch then go around past the Plough pub and back along the road to your car. It must be about 5 miles altogether and it is mostly flat.

I tried running it a few weeks back, having given up smoking like yourself. I managed to get to the cricket pitch before I collapsed and almost died :D My legs were willing but my chest was hurting too much. Blo0dy Ciggies!

Try cycling up from the other side, from the Rivlen Valley end, along Manchester Road. That's not as steep as approaching from Broomhill.

Also, cycle up past the Rivlen Dams to Redmires, then you can drop down to Crosspool from Lodge Moor.

Easypeasy.

Also, cylcling on the flat won't get you fit, and its unlikely you'll loose any weight. Bicycles are a very efficient means of propulsion.

Rother Valley is a good flat ride if you can get to it.

the high peak trail is a fantastic cycle trail.

Originally posted by firsteuro
Having given up smoking some 12 months ago, now is the time for me to shed the pound or two (stone or two) that I have gained since quitting.

With this in mind I recently purchased a mountain bike in order to get a littke fitter.

Other than the fact that sitting on the saddle is like straddling a razor blade, and that my center of gravity has altered since I last got on a bike, I have one question for you.

As I live on the top of a hill in Crosspool everywhere I could go is downhill, but consequently getting back is a heart attack inducing uphill slog! Does anyone have any ideas of routes etc. I dont mind putting the bike in the car and travelling (No messages about pollution thanks as the ammount of CO2 I exhaust when riding must be high)
I think it would be a shame to stick the bike in the car with you being 5 mins away from beautiful countryside. Surely cycling on flat roads defeats the object of having a mountain bike??. Unfortunately you can't really go anywhere in Sheffield without having to ride up and down a hill at least once but cycling to Redmires is reasonably undulating and if your feeling fit then cycle up to Stanage Pole and down the other side ut it is tricky stuff. Then you still have to get back which is uphill again!!. Good luck anyway and stick at it...It's really worth it

Think you're down the road from me! I'm also in crosspool, and trying to get fit again. What I'd recommend is getting a bike rack (assuming you have a car) and going out to lady bower.

Two loops larger is about 11 miles (top reservoirs) and smaller one is about 7 miles. Easy track and relatively flat. It's lovely out there, and you can take a break and look at the birds/scenery etc.... Climbs are relatively gentle and short. Car park at the very centre is expensive but parking in the other bays is free.

Have a few guide books and we're going to do a loop round minninglow (close to bakewell) at the weekend. Not tried it before but if you want more details then drop me a line.

Would be interested in more details on the redmires loop, as I thought there was only road on one side and path (bikes not allowed) on the other.

Originally posted by max
If you do get off, wheel your bike along and from time to time squeeze the front tyre and shake your head mournfully.

Good luck. :thumbsup:

Have you been spying on me? :P


Originally posted by tas1
Would be interested in more details on the redmires loop, as I thought there was only road on one side and path (bikes not allowed) on the other.

I heard that there is a new path around the other side of the dam which completes the loop, so seeing as I'm only down the road I'll have to check it out.

Good for you firsteuro!

I'm afraid that there is no escaping Sheffield hills, you need to accept you will be doing a bit of hard work sooner or later.

I cycle up Stannington each day and thank the maker that I no longer live up at Crookes. Compared to you, I have it easy!

You should certainly take it very gentle to start with. For starters I'd slip down to manchester road. Follow the road past the waterworks. Before you get to Mosca there is a gate that leads you into the nature trail that slowly winds up to the Lodge Moor. This is a rather pleasant section of off-road work that takes you back towards home.

There is some climbing but its nothing like going straight up bell hag..

Good luck (not having a heart attack!)

If you want a really easy route, then start at Hunter's Bar and cycle along Ecclesall Road and Rustlings Road to Bingham Park. From there, there is a cycle path that is nealry all flat, that takes you out to the edge of the Peaks.

Getting back to Crosspool, however, will either involve a hill, or a hitch!

If you can be bothered with the trek, going to Rother Valley Park would be worth it. It's really flat, about 5km all the way round the lake (I think) and pretty nice on a sunny day.

A flat area for cycling local to crosspool! Or for that matter most areas of Sheffield! (the seven hills, is it not)
:hihi:
Sorry, but I don't know of any. Good luck, though!:thumbsup:

Why not swap it for an excersize bike:D

Get used to the hills, thats where the rewards are.
Sure, it's a nightmare slog to get up em, but then you get to come down the other side! :D

Tip: Always finish off the ride with a downhill. Never finish with a climb, because all you'll remember of the ride was that nightmare climb back the the finish. You always wanna finish the ride with a smile on your face :)

From Crosspool, head out to Redmires and over to Stanage, as suggested above.
Cos then you get to zip back down to Crosspool in no time.

How about along the canal? used to do it often when i was living in Sheffield. Although hold your nose when you go past the sewage works near the M1 flyover. Stinky.

Originally posted by Barra
How about along the canal? used to do it often when i was living in Sheffield. Although hold your nose when you go past the sewage works near the M1 flyover. Stinky.

Also watch out for the local litter louts or fishermen as they like to be called. They tend to either sit in the path, position their rods across the path or leave all their paraphernalia strewn on the path.

Originally posted by max
Also watch out for the local litter louts or fishermen as they like to be called. They tend to either sit in the path, position their rods across the path or leave all their paraphernalia strewn on the path.

Amen to that! I do the canal towpath daily, from the entrance at the Victoria Quays, to the pedestrian bridge that crosses over to the Arena tramstop.

I once counted twenty four fishermen whose bags, dogs, kids, rods, bikes and chairs blocked my trip home. I can't believe I've never bothered to follow the canal any further, even to Rotherham. I'ts a good suggestion for a flat route.

Tony - I thought that path (assuming it's the one that comes out by the track to stanage pole) was walkers only - the stanage end of it has an "antibike" device on it to try and prevent you from getting your handlebars through.

I've not checked it yet. I'll try to get up with the dog this weekend and report back. :thumbsup:

It would be great to have more tracks up there that are bike friendly though. It's a bore to have to go out to Derwent to go round the dams. Maybe Yorkshire Water and the Council could have a look at it?

There are two pieces of tarmac bragging to each other in a bar. The first piece of tarmac says, "I'm hard me, I'm from the A1, I have thousands of cars and lorries go over me every day." "Nah, I'm proper 'ard, me" says the second piece of tarmac, "I'm from the M1. I'm as hard as they come."

Just then, a red piece of tarmac walks into the bar, and the two pieces of tarmac squeal and hide under a table. The red tarmac drinks up and leaves. When the others emerge, the barman says, "I thought you were hard, what's wrong?!".

"We may be hard, but that guys a cyclepath!"

Cyclepath? Psychopath? Gediit...

I know I know it's bad, but all this talk of bikes I couldn't resist :blush:

Originally posted by tas1
Tony - I thought that path (assuming it's the one that comes out by the track to stanage pole) was walkers only - the stanage end of it has an "antibike" device on it to try and prevent you from getting your handlebars through.
You are allowed to take bikes but only to push them round..you can still egt your bike through as I have done many times.
Careful Tony when taking your dog for a walk around Redmires...I have...cough...heard that it is popular with doggers

:) I'll keep an eye out - the dog will eat anything and anyone!

Originally posted by Tony
:) I'll keep an eye out - the dog will eat anything and anyone!
Isn't that the idea??? :o

LOL can I keep out of this - I could get into all sorts of trouble ;)

Wheel my bike - will have to adopt the front wheel prodding technique!