mickc
Ravenshead Route 6
Mountain Biking Route 6 to Ravenshead
If you want a short, fast, narrow, non-technical trail to have a blast on this is the trail for you. It’s a fantastic link trail between Harlow Wood, Blidworth, Newstead Abbey and Nottingham. The trail is part of the 20-mile loop I call 'Pig Hill' due to the climb halfway round.
Take a look at how quick this section is in the video below. It is part of the Route 6 cycle track in the heart of Nottinghamshire close to Mansfield.
When following the ‘Pig Hill‘ loop, you will approach the descent from the heart of Harlow wood. Pass a pond on your right and then hit a tricky sandy incline between fields which seems to sap energy and take an age. Finally, you reach 'Ricket Lane', which you will cross straight over into the wooded section to start the cracking downhill trail. There's a slight incline and then the speed increases as you roll onto the descent. Let the brakes go and free wheel all the way but be careful of walkers coming the other way. Out of the wooded section will be the fastest speed as the track heads between fields in a straight line. The trail slightly narrows toward the end and can sometimes sting with over growing nettles and brambles. Take care as it levels out because you will come face to face with a gate. Through the gate and you appear on 'Sandy Lane' to finally reach the B6020. To continue along the ‘Pig Hill’ loop take a left along the road until you reach the sharp left-hand bend. On the right-hand side over the road the 'Robin Hood Trail' continues through the gate where you climb 'Pig 'Hill'.
If you take a right onto the B6020 you will continue to follow Route 6 through Ravenshead and into Newstead Abbey.
Ravenshead is a lovely little village between Mansfield and Nottingham. It borders Papplewick, Newstead Abbey and Blidworth, and is part of Nottinghamshire's Hidden Valleys area. In days gone by, after the death of Thomas Becket, King Henry II supposedly to make up for this terrible deed, gave the Canons of the Order of St Augustine the land at Ravenshead where they set up a priory, the walls of which can still be seen today. In the Middle Ages the priory was a stopping place for pilgrims. However, in 1349 the prior died of plague. The soil in the area is very sandy and unsuitable for growing crops, also making it hard to bike on. So, there is no evidence of a settlement in the area until the 15th century when there was a hunting lodge called Langton Arbor, near present-day Blidworth Dale. The legend of Robin Hood centres on the area of Sherwood Forest in which Ravenshead is located. Legend states it is possible that one of Robin Hood's followers, Friar Tuck, was inspired by the priory.
In 1966 a hoard of gold coins and jewellery was discovered by workmen on a building site near present-day Cambourne Gardens. The coins were probably buried by someone fleeing south after the Battle of Hexham in May 1464. The "Fishpool Hoard", as it is known, is on display at The British Museum, London. Fishpool, Notts is the name of the area where they were found as the building site did not have the name Ravenshead then. 100 years ago, Ravenshead was centred on an area called Fishpool, this name appeared on a 15th-century map. Ravenshead is now a very affluent area of the East Midlands with much higher-than-average property prices and a diverse population of professional people, elderly people, and skilled workers. It also serves as a commuter village to Nottingham.
You will also ride this trail if you come from the Sherwood Pines and Blidworth village direction along the official route 6. As you leave Blidworth following route 6 there is about a mile of tarmac B roads to ride. You will travel along 'New Lane' which joins 'Cross Lane'. You'll pass a single wind turbine and take a right on to 'Ricket Lane' heading west. Keep your eyes peeled for the route 6 sign though as you will need to dart left into a wooded section at the start of this fast trail to Ravenshead.
This very small part of Route 6 is a lovely short sharp fast track to enjoy!! Check out the next section of the Pig hill loop, ‘Mountain Biking Pig Hill’. The centre piece trail of the 20-mile loop. Alternatively, if you missed the previous section, take a look at the section ’Mountain Biking Harlow Wood‘, a lovely wooded section.
This is the middle section of my Pig Hill loop, one of my go to rides in the summer. Check out the other sections in the series.
Mountain Biking the Pit Tip Kirkby
Mountain Biking Blidworth Waye
