Sheffield Station to Walkley – mapometer

Despite being some of the hilliest locations in Sheffield, these suburbs have some of the highest levels of cycling. This puts the lie to the hoary old “Sheffield is too hilly for cycling” chestnut. However, the fact that these areas also have a high proportion of students and environmentally friendly, health conscious graduates helps.

The very short cycling times between these areas and the city centre doesn’t hurt either – a quick swoop down the hill is a great start to your day. Getting back again might be a bit slower and more strenuous, but let’s face it, once you’re home you can have a shower and collapse into your favourite armchair knowing you’ve done your portion of significant exercise for the day, just by getting around.

There are some obstacles between Hallam Heights and the City Centre however, and these suggestions will help you to avoid them. Much of this route uses other bike routes you will find described in these guides, such as the Hathersage Route, the Hunters Bar to Hillsborough route and the Ring Cycle.

Popping out of the station, you will find the Sheaf Square and Cutting Edge sculpture confronts you. Use the toucan crossing opposite the booking office to cross Sheaf St – you will be discouraged from using the pedestrian ramp alongside the Cutting Edge – and you find a cycle lane alongside the road. Turn left and proceed along to Howard Rd.

Here you have a route choice. Taking the steep run up Howard St – it is available to cyclists although you should give way to pedestrians – will bring you up to the city centre. You can then continue along Surrey St, crossing Pinstone St using the cycle ramp, and through Barkers Pool to division st, turning left at Devonshire Green to reach Broomspring Lane and hence to Upper Hanover Way, the Inner Ring Road. This route is signposted as “Peak District”.

Alternatively, you can continue along Paternoster Row in the heart of the Cultural Industries Quarter, to Eyre St, using the toucan crossing and continuing off-road alongside the Inner Ring Road. Cross diagonally at the Moore St roundabout, so you are now on the left, or west side of the road, continue up to Broomspring Lane. Here the two routes combine.

It can be quite tricky getting across Glossop Rd at the top of Broomspring – if in doubt use the pedestrian  crossing to your left. Continue up Claremont crescent. This area has been subjected to a number of hare-brained, poorly thought-out traffic management schemes over the years. and the result has been a dogs dinner. It was only as a result of sustained campaigning not long ago that the area wasn’t made a virtual no-go area for cyclists through more ridiculous traffic restrictions laid on top of what is already there.

Anyway, puff your way up Claremont, onto Damer St, and you will emerge onto Western Bank where at most times of day traffic is crawling along, turn left and here you have a route choice.

You can turn right onto Mushroom Lane, then use the access road to the Dam House restaurant on the left, nipping through the gap in the wall to use the footpath alongside the University Playing Fields (you have my authorisation as Chair of the University Cycle Forum to do that.) A steep climb past the Goodwin sports centre will bring you out onto Northumberland Rd.

Alternatively, continue along Western Bank to the junction with Northumberland Rd, turn right here (there is a ped crossing you can use) and use the short downhill to get speed up for the climb up to Crookesmoor Rd. Note Marlborough Rd on the left – useful for getting from Crookesmoor/Walkley to Broomhill, and when you emerge on Whitham Rd there is a pedestrian crossing close to Richer Sounds that will stop the traffic for  easy right turn.

At Crookesmoor Rd, if your heart is strong you could attempt the very steep climb up conduit rd. Mere mortals, however, might prefer to turn right, then gather speed before selecting a low gear to turn r. into Spring Hill. Take the first right onto Spring Hill Rd, and at Commonside turn left for Crookes via School Rd (note the excellent Guat Shoes at 221, on the left)

For Walkley, however, turn right at the fork, past the Closed Shop and Hallamshire pubs, and merge with care at the junction with Barber Rd – you are still Commonside but its a give way. After passing the pedestrian crossing it’s a good idea to get some speed up to get up the hill and round the corner – note the excellent views of the Don Valley on the right. Now you are clear for the run down to South Rd, but take care along here as it is busy and there are some nutters around on the road – it’s a bit of rat-run for traffic heading towards Malin Bridge, something the council has failed to address over the years. Anyway, you’re there! The Walkley Cottage is a good spot for refreshment – for an easier route there turn left onto Greenhow St, right onto Camm St, merge onto Heavygate Rd and first left onto Bole Hill Rd – you’ll spot the Cottage on the right. Bole Hill Rd incidentally is a quieter route out into Derbyshire, and a continuing route will be added to the route guide sometime.

The route described misses out some of the worst hill and traffic blackspots, as well as the tramway. On the downhill run however, you might prefer to use the main roads for speed, and these are negotiable with care, the main problem being the Brook Hill roundabout which is very hazardous for cyclists. One alternative from Walkley is the Arts Tower Court and the University Concourse which is open to the public and cyclable, although the entry/exit points are narrow and pinched. From Broomhill and Crookes you could turn right off Glossop Rd to Broomspring Lane (signposted as the Peak Park route) to avoid some of the worst sections including the tramlines, and many do.