Day 5 of the kids 100-mile biking challenge. We decided to do the lovely ride I know that takes you into the centre of the national trust park , Clumber Park. The route starts outside the park and follows route six right to the heart of the park. It has a climb within the first five minutes but then is pretty flat for the rest of route. The downside is its not a full loop so it’s in to the centre, around the lake and back out of the centre the same way. Its all good though as Clumber is a lovely park especially around the lake.

We parked at the lakes managed by Severn Trent water on Netherfield Lane just outside Medan Vale. There isn’t an official car park as it is a lane but there is space for about six cars, and it doesn’t get too busy. It’s a great spot as it’s right on route 6, so if you fancy you can go south through Sherwood Forest , Sherwood Pines and to Newstead Abbey , but that’s a different story.

We unpacked the van and headed north across the Netherfield Lane road and into the trees. Prepare the kids as unfortunately the first half a mile is uphill, actually quite long and steep for the little ones. The kids always try to get up the hill and most often they do, but on this occasion, they made it about three quarters of the way up. I try to explain the gears but they still don’t realise its easier on smaller gears uphill. They had a little walk and we reached the summit. From here there are no major hills until coming back and hitting this one on the other side, although it’s a lot more gradual the other way.

So, next was a nice downhill to the A616. Only a short section but nice. Cross over the road and through the gates. The trail heads right, parallel with the road for a short time. Then its along a narrow trail with woods on the left and fields on the right. Through the summertime this can be overgrown with nettles so be careful of those stings to the legs. It wasn’t too bad at this time of the year, no pain for the kids. It’s not long before reaching another road, the B6034.

Cross over the road and through the car park. This is another great place to park if you want a shorter ride or even a walk to Clumber Park. From here it’s about two and a half miles to the centre of Clumber Parkand the café. In total it’s a really nice five mile walk to the café and back, with the option of a rest and a cup off coffee. It’s even better if you do the walk in Autumn as there are bunches of chestnut trees along the way with the ground covered in chestnuts. We often go to collect a haul ready for roasting and eating.

On the bike and the next mile and a half is flat solid route six trail, brilliant for young kids to cycle, and older kids who are looking for an easier mosey about. We cycled along chatting all the way, and before we knew it it was time to change direction. When it’s time to turn you’ll pass a house on the left and come to a set of signs with route six pointing left. We headed left, swirling through the trees and out onto a lane with the entrance to the house we’d passed in front of us. We headed along the lane, you can only go one way, but it’s right as you exit the trees. At this point the kids know this takes you straight to the Clumber Park Lake, trending down hill. Not much pedalling required.

After about three quarters of a mile, we spotted the lake and a bridge. If you do this route it’s key to remember this point for later as you appear here from the right when you have been around the lake, but for now we carried straight on up and over the bridge. We headed straight on the road about two hundred and fifty metres before reaching a cross road and heading right, parallel with the lake on our right. This path takes you into the centre of Clumber Park and the kids were excited for a break. The courtyard isn’t visible straight away as you have to go around a couple of gates, veer left and then on to a small path on the right (past the toilets). We popped out of the path onto the central courtyard with the café straight in front of us. Four miles into the ride and this was a good place to have a break and a bite to eat. We opted for a couple of cakes, drinks and a kids sandwich box.

After a snack we continued. We headed through the gates and up to the shop. Going left just before the shop and out the courtyard with the car park in front. A quick turn right and we were on the track to head past the bike hiring shop and out of the hustle and bustle of the Clumber Park centre. Straight ahead, through the gates and we went around the field (on the trail). Then came an interesting little section. We reached a small wood where the trail ahead takes a sharp up hill through the wood. The kids tried their best to get up it and actually made it three quarters of the way, a valiant effort. We walked the rest to the top of the hill. At the top we reached the five-mile mark and the exit to the wood is on to another clumber park lane. We got back on the bikes and shot right on to the lane with the water from the lake straight ahead. Without realising we were on a bridge going across the water. This is normally a great place for a photo, I have loads from here with differing weather scenarios, the best being a misty version just showing the tree poking out of the water. We didn’t stop this time and carried on across.

On the other side of the water, we veered right through a small car park and onto a trail that continues at the side of the lake, with the lake still on our right. This is often busy with walkers and patients is required, but not for long as the trail widens so you can pass easily. The foot traffic wasn’t too bad today, so we sped through quicker than normal. We followed the path around the lake for another half a mile. Eventually as you look right the lake opens out so you can see the full length, another great photo opportunity. We passed the ice cream van and eventually the path swings right onto the southeast side of the lake and out into the open. This side is about a mile in length with a few bumps and short lumps to negotiate, we continued parallel to the lake all the way, even though at one point you have to stick to the bike trail which takes you slightly away from the edge. Again, keep your eyes peeled right across the other side of the lake as you see the church across the water in all its glory.

We came out of the trail into another small car park still with the lake on the right. This joins back to the set of crossroads and bridge that we passed through earlier in the ride. This time instead of going over the bridge to the right we took a left onto route six to head back up the lane we had cycled down earlier. As this is about seven and a half miles into the ride there were a few moans and groans on this lane. It looks flat but it has a slightly deceiving incline. I tried to keep the spirits up by cracking a few good dad jokes, but they didn’t go down to well.

At the top of the lane, we reached the house which indicated a left turn into the small section of swirling trail. Out of the wood and right onto the lovely flat route six trail we had ridden on the way into Clumber. This time we passed the house on the right. It wasn’t as chatty on the way back as the kids legs were starting to ache a little. After one and half miles it was back across the B6034 and onto the narrow trail for half a mile. At this stage the moaning was getting more frequent which can be expected as we were getting to the 50 mile mark over all. We reached the A616, crossed it to complete the final section including the lovely downhill to take us back to cross Netherfield lane and back to the van. Another ride completed toward the 100-mile goal.

With 13.95 miles at Monsal trail, 11.38 miles to Rother Valley, 5.4 miles round Kingsmill reservoir, the Teversaltrail ride of 9.62 miles and this ride of 10.83 miles, that’s a great total of 51.18 miles in five rides. That’s the halfway mark.

Check out the what happened on other 100-Challenge biking days:

Kids 100-mile Challenge

Day 1 - Monsal Trail

Day 2 - Rother Valley

Day 3 - Kingsmill Reservoir