I used to ride in from Belper. Did it a couple of times a week for over 4 years. I had a few variations on routes.
From Ripley you could go via Shipley Park to get on the Nutbrook Trail and exit the park at the back of Ilkeston (pronounced Ilson 😉 )
Drop down the road to pick up the Awsworth canal and go down to the bridge near the footy ground, then take the road up to the Awsworth bypass.
Cross the bypass up a cycle lane onto a road that takes you up to and cross the old Awsworth Road, and go down the lane to the Babbington dog kennels.
Take the Bridleway left at the kennels and follow it up past the water tower at Swingate. Go right at the end and follow the lane round a couple of sharp bends, then pick up the track that takes you over the M1 and follow the lane down to Strelley.
Cycle path on the pavement to Balloon Wood 5 ways lights and then on road cycle lane down Wollaton Vale to the Priory.
Woodside Road, go on the road for a mile the pavement cycle path is a waste of time because of the side roads.
Then cycle path along University Blvd to Dunkirk. Then you have an option of Lenton onto Castle Blvd into town.
Or Lace Street, Claude Street and over the canal bridge onto the towpath to take you the back way to the London Road end of town. Depends where you need to be.
I did it fully laden with 35c road tyres on a drop bar Kaffendack. In all weathers and all seasons, no problems.
You can also detour from the Awsworth bypass to pick up the old bit of canal, then bridleway up to Cossall, a bit of road, then more bridlway and far tracks to go under the motorway and come out at Balloon Woods. But that is for dry periods only.
A few other tweaks if you are interested.
After all that, you are gonna say that you want road only, aren’t you!
You gotta embrace the hills fella!