(with onward connection to Derby)
This route is part of my suggested “Sheffield to Derby” route, and helps you get out of town on quieter roads. N.B. There is plenty of climbing on this route.
View route options and issues on Google Earth
From Sheffield Station cross Sheaf St and, following the City Centre/Peak District signs, head up Howard St. Turn left onto Arundel St, by the Globe – “It’s a scream”, honest- signposted “Heeley area”. Carry on down, crossing Furnival St with care, and turn left onto Matilda St. There’s a dinky little bike gate down here, and then some cycle lights which invite you to turn right onto Shoreham St. Having done so, cross the Ring Road and continue straight for a mile or so, with Sheffield United football ground on your right.
As you approach the traffic lights at the junction with Bramall Lane, there’s a cycle right turn lane which takes you up on to some red pavement. Cross at the toucan crossing, careful of the bollards, and follow the cycle lane past James’s cycle shop, and onto Asline Rd. At the bottom, turn right using the Toucan crossing. Up Glover Rd – turn left for Saxon Rd.
There are three route options from here, either continuing on the Sheaf Valley,staying on quiet suburban roads or climbing up through Meersbrook Park:-
(i)From January 2018 this is our preferred route. Follow the blue Sheaf Valley cycle route signs, passing between Virgin Gym on the right and the railway on your left, then onto Little London Rd. You veer left on Woodseats Road and right onto Ulverston Rd which takes you onto Archer Rd via the crossing at the top. Veer left here and continue to the junction with Hutcliffe Wood Rd where you fork left. Cross on to the pavement at the pedestrian island and look out for the cycle route through the woods. Proceed along here to emerge on Abbey Lane – a busy road, pavements are available. Cross at a convenient point and turn right onto Beauchief Abbey Lane, becoming Beauchief Drive. When you reach the gates of Beauchief Hall (worth a peek in – there was an attempt to buy this for shared living a few years ago which sadly failed) turn left and continue up the Drive to Bradway Road.
Turn r. to Norton Park Rd, (cycle route signposted) follow through to Meadowhead. Here, turn r. and then left to Greenfield Rd to Greenhill Main Rd through a road closure . Follow this through to Hemper Lane, Greenhill Parkway/Bradway Rd,
Two other options take you through Meerbrook and up through Norton to Greenhill:
(ii) Left under the bridge to cross Chesterfield Rd (new bike lane and crossing here as of January 2018) and ascend Albert Rd, r. to Meersbrook Rd, r. to Carfield Ave, through the bus gate, left on Lees Hall Rd (nice switchback) r. to Mount View Rd, left on Warminster Rd to the top, left then first r. to Bunting Nook, emerging onto Norton Lane which is a bit busy.
(iii) Carry on on the cycle track between the railway and Virgin Gym, then turn left on Little London Road, then right on the cycle track taking you through to Heeley Retail Park. Go straight across at the exit from HRP to Beeton Road at the top of which there is a gate into the park- carry straight on up the (steep) hill. Veer left at the top and come out past Bishops House. A little left then right to Thorpe House Rise, then left fork to Thorpe House Road, right on Lees Hall Road and you’ve rejoined route (ii).
At the end of Bradway Rd turn l. Rod Moor Rd, (it gets a bit busy along here) following signs to Holmesfield, Here, you can turn left just after the brow of the hill, go down through Horsleygate (don’t blink or you’ll miss it) and wind your way up through Unthank to join the Derby route at Pudding Pie Hill, or just carry on through and you will come up to Owler Bar.