Saturday (30 miles): Day one follows NCR6 out of the city then the largely car-free path via Bestwood Country Park to Blidworth and into Sherwood Pines, on to Sherwood Forest and into Clumber Park, where we turn off for a quick roadway scoot to Retford. There’s a solid little climb at Blidworth, otherwise the undulations in the forest parks will keep you on your toes but not on the edge. Take great care at the A1/A614 roundabout north of Clumber Park, or divert earlier to avoid it. 

Pick up NCR6 at Old Basford 1, 3 miles NW of the city centre, and follow that north via Bulwell to Bestwood Country Park, continuing through Hucknall and Linby. Now the route turns properly rural, as it heads N then NE via Newstead Abbey 2 through Abbey Wood for a road section through Ravenshead. Continue over the masted top west of Blidworth and through the north side of the town and on to the rail trail north via Rainworth and into Sherwood Pines Forest Park 3. NCR6 continues along more rail trail north to enter Sherwood Forest Country Park and cross that, emerging at Hazel Gap on the A616. Follow it then eastward into Clumber Park and continue as far as the C-road that crosses the park SW-NE. Leave the NCR here, turn right, NE, and follow that road to the A614 4. Go left, N, and continue to the roundabout with the A1. Dismount and cross with utmost care on foot to reach the mouth of the byway that heads E (a step north off the roundabout off the A1 southbound carriageway). Follow the byway to the B6420, and take that NE to the A620 for Retford 5. 

Sunday (42 miles): The return is quite a contrast – not a plantation in sight, but lots of open sky viewed from the peaceful flatlands that accompany the River Trent. Newark is the half-way point, and there’s a short section of busy traffic on the easterly approach to the town. Also, be prepared for occasional fast cars on the road SE of Retford to and after the A57. 

From the centre of Retford head S for 1.5mi on the A638 (cycle lane) then turn off E (White Houses) and head (passing Nether Headon) via Stokeham to Laneham 6. There turn S to Ragnall (crossing the A57), continuing (taking the High Marnham/Low Marnham road for peaceful exploration) to Grassthorpe and turn E for the northeasterly approach (surfaced but rough) to Sutton on Trent. Continue S and before Carlton turn due W (over the A1) and after the railway line turn SW to Norwell 7. Leave the village S, and head SE to North Muskham (back over the A1). Ride S through the village to South Muskham and there pick up the B6325 S, to the A616. Follow that (trafficky) to the roundabout with the A617 and cross with care straight ahead into Newark and over the Trent 8. From the roundabout follow the B6326 (Grantham road) round for 500m, and turn off right (SW) on Albert St becoming Hawton Rd. Follow that to Hawton village. Continue S to Cotham 9. Continue S, SW, via Booth’s Farm to the T-junction by Wensor Bridge. Turn SE, SW to Shelton, then Thoroton. 1mile on S at the crossroads turn W and ride to Car Colston, continuing to the A46. Cross with great care and follow the public path into East Bridgford 10. 

Leave the village EITHER (direct route) SW towards Newton, staying SW to Radcliffe-on-Trent, OR (via the river) NW towards Gunthorpe (but don’t cross the river) and ride round to Shelford, continuing SE then SW into Radcliffe-on-Trent 11. 

At Radcliffe pick up the lane heading W (short gravelled section). Pass Holme Pierrepont Hall and the Water Sports Centre on Adbolton Lane. Beyond the end of the race strait hop to the riverside to pick up NCR64, the riverside path, and follow that into Nottingham 12.