HUUB's Top Places to Cycle in and Around the City of Derby

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No one knows Derby's roads and cycle paths like HUUB. Based in the city centre, they are an award-winning premium sportswear brand specialising in triathlon, cycling and open water swimming products. 

You may have heard of the term Derbados, which created quite a storm in the global track cycling scene when HUUB Wattbike, the Derby-based team, competed as 'The People's Republic of Derbados' in a genre historically dominated by national squads.

Now HUUB has joined forces with another local business to launch the city's first road racing team and to help inspire everyone to get on their bikes. They hope that the new Derby City Cycling (DCC) team will help turn the city into a Mecca for cyclists, encouraging events and further investment.

Here are HUUB's favourite Derby rides:

1. The 5 Parks Ride: A short and easy ride taking you past HUUB HQ and through many of the city's parks, open spaces, along the river and through the city centre. It uses a mixture of off road paths and mainly quiet roads, featuring several National Cycle Network paths. 
2. Mickleover to Etwall and back: This steady 9-mile route starts where HUUB started (HUUB Founder, Dean Jackson's Garage) in Mickleover. It also starts and finishes at a pub, and HUUB isn't going to deny they like a post-ride pint. This mainly traffic free, almost flat route is for all abilities and ages riding along a light gravel cycle path through the countryside. 
3. Derby Canal: The flat path runs for about 6 miles and is suitable for cyclists, starting in the city centre and following the River Derwent past Pride Park football stadium. At Swarkestone Lock, the canal ends, meeting with the Trent and Mersey Canal. If you wish to extend your exercise, you can then join the Cloud Trail (below). 
4. The Cloud Trail: This trail is great for families and less-experienced cyclists. A lovely, flat, mostly traffic-free route runs from Derby city centre to Worthington along canal paths and a former railway, now known as the Cloud Trail. As you follow the route, you'll enjoy peaceful riverside cycling and stunning views of the surrounding area. 
5. Peak District Climbs: Not strictly Derby, but it has some legendary (and hilly) countryside on its doorstep for the experienced cyclist. The Peak District's most famous climbs include the Cat and Fiddle, Holme Moss, Winnats Pass, Mam Nick and Monsal Head.