The night was calm and mostly clear. First thing the moon shone above and the temperature dropped to just under 6degC. The weather soon started to cloud over so I got an early start and was on my way at 6:45am The jagged outline of Burbage Rocks was to my left as I set off up the short steady climb to the road junction to the west. I almost took the wrong turning as my chosen descent route was a minor road to the right. It didn't really matter as both roads finished up in the same place.

About to leave Burbage Moor
and descend to Hathersage

Chesterfield and the Parish Church of St Mary
with its 14th century twisted spire

I took the descent further to the north as it reached Hathersage a little to the north and would allow me to cycle through the village. As it turned out the village I was expecting didn't materialise as it was just a road with houses and could have been anywhere. I started the steady climb up to regain some of the altitude I'd just lost. The road was quite busy and was signposted to take the traffic for Sheffield. I was glad to reach the B6054 and a quieter road. I managed to stay with B roads all the way to Chesterfield. At the first collection of traffic lights I got my first view of the amazing twisted spire on the central church.

The road through the town passes right under the spire and being on a bike meant I could stop at will to look up at it. I'd made the mistake of thinking that when Sheffield and Chesterfield wee behind me so would the hills. I hadn't reckoned with the road to Bolsover. I'd hoped to stop for something to eat in Chesterfield but no cafes were about. A descent and climb took me out of the town then the undulating road to the east and Bolsover. The castle appeared before me and a long steep climb to the town. I made a short detour to look at the castle but it was National Trust, closed, and would have cost me £8 to get in.

Bolsover Castle

Entering Meden Vale and its attractive sign

After a while I left the A road and through the lanes near Shirebrook. It was a surprise to come across Retford Airport which seemed to be in the middle of nowhere. My route then headed south for a while before returning east after West Drayton. I'd been looking out for a wayside cafe for miles and as I pottered along a nice flat stretch of road my wish was granted and I cycled in to a lay-by and Lisa's Cafe. It was just what I'd been looking for with bacon, sausage and egg featuring high on the menu. Outside a couple of driver sat eating what looked like bacon, sausage and egg sandwiches.

I ordered just a bacon and sausage sandwich and tea. The proprietor, presumably Lisa, noticed I'd arrived on a cycle and asked how far I'd come. We chatted a bit about cycling and it turned out her parents had been cyclists and her father, Mike Bingam, now 75, had ridden Tour of Britain. Her Mother, Joyce Coop, had also been a keen cyclist. I asked her if she knew anywhere nearby I could camp. She didn't know but suggested I try the White Swan Pub a few miles ahead as they used to do caravans. I'm only about 15 miles from Lincoln and I'd probably get there by early afternoon if I continued at this rate.

Lisa's Cafe on the A57

Welcome calories of a bacon and sausage lunch

I didn't really want to arrive until tomorrow. After my excellent feed I continued for a few miles and reached the White Swan at Dunham-on-Trent. I went inside and asked about camping but they said they didn't do it any more. She told me of Trentfield Farm who did do camping. I followed her directions to Laneham about a couple of miles away then asked a postman for further directions.

I cycled along the side of the River Trent then the site appeared just before the massive chimney of the Cottam Power Station. It was a large well tended site and a price tag to match. With just a cycle and tent I had to pay the back-packer rate of £10 per night, which I thought extortionate. But at least I had a good supply of clean water. The site was fairly empty but started to fill later in the afternoon. Barking dogs were my only annoyance.

Cottam Power Station from the A57