The Peak District Riding Thread

Hmm, I either forgot about this thread or have never seen it before, anyway. I've been living in South west manchester and mostly been riding in Cheshire over the last 12 months, there was no great excuse for not getting out into the peak much apart from having to ride through a bit more town. But now up in Harpurhey so going to be getting out into the North peak a fair bit.

Going to do 60-70 miles tomorrow and maybe a few more rides this week as I am off work. If anyone fancies joining me give me a shout. I'm open to any type of route but not super fit at the moment, solo I'm averaging 14/16 mph on a hilly route and 18/19 on a flat route.

KT, going to be going by Youlgreave to get to Parlsey Hay. It neatly places Parsley Hay as a tea/lunch stop before heading for the Via Gellia and then up through Matlock to Rowsley/Beeley for a beer to get me past Chatsworth and over Owler Bar.

Ah, nice one. Sounds like a great ride.

Going to be heading up this way next weekend. Train to and from Matlock on Saturday. Has anyone got a good .gpx for a ~100km route from there that will take in some highlights, but not cause someone of moderate climbing ability (ie. me) to blow a gasket?

Tbh, most hills are quite lovely up there, and worth the effort- and not too damaging in terms of climbing.
@KT_Bee or @The_Seldom_Killer are your best bet.
I always get lost in the Peaks, which is part of why I love it so much.
I discovered a new favorite, not far out from Matlock- Cromford to Bonsall. V. quiet. Just make sure you make the right turning so you don't end up down a muddy track.

Anticlockwise that should work for you. Most of the

http://www.strava.com/activities/52776399

Cheers Ludwig. Looks quite fruity.

This is my go to Peak District ride - takes you into Staffordshire Moorlands and is much more gentle

http://www.lfgss.com/comments/7984494/

I would do clockwise - you could go down A6 and pick up Via Gellia to get on route or brave a very steep climb out of Matlock towards Bonsall. Teashops in Monyash, Ashford, Litton or you could easily detour into Bakewell.

Teashops in Monyash...

Does tea in the following sizes: cup, mug, pint.

OK, looks like this is going to be my weekend ride, unless anyone can spot any obvious mistakes...

dons flameproof suit

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/6466096

See if you can go on the cycle path, the old railway line... @KT_Bee will remember what it's called. You get to make train noises going through the tunnels! Erm, that's all I have to offer. Remember to eat a Bakewell Pudding.

if you went in the other direction you'd get to go up Winnats and Long Hill rather than down!

you could add Monsal Head easily enough, turn right as go up the hill on the B6465 and it'll take you down to the start of the hill climb.

also the spike up to Calver isn't that remarkable, you could carry on up Station Rd out of Bakewell and go to the tea shop in Edensor instead.

^^ monsal trail - you cld pick that up if you headed east of out Buxton towards Millers Dale

Monsal Head is a greatclimb

southerly bits look good to me - you've got a choice at Youlgreave of turning left towards Alport, or right towards Middleton, Elton then towards Winster. The first (your ) way is better roads, and takes you past Robin Hood's stride (as seen in the 'Princess Bride' fact!). Turning right is pretty and roads a bit quieter, but quite rubbish surfaces

Thanks guys! Might make a few edits on that basis. KT, I have never seen Princess Bride despite constant pressure from my better half (and also from my sister). But I might make an effort now I know this (and having realised that it also features Saul off of Homeland).

So like this, yeah?

no need to repost, I see it's magically edited the route above!

I switched it to the other way round (though am a bit worried about Winnats), picked a slightly more interesting route back from Youlgreave (I am a sucker for bad roads), and tried to take in Monsal Head (did I do this right, or do I need to head further west and pick up the route further up?)

Think I'll save the Monsal Trail for next time. It's my first time heading up there and I don't want to get too lost!

as you've reversed the route it's now taking you down the Monsal Head climb. you could just ride down then back up if you want to tick it off, it's not that long.

Out of Elton carry on along Moor Lane to the A5102 where turn left and approach down the via Gellia.

It's down hill and then you have the flat along Matlock Bath so basically a great way to finish that ride.

^ and play on the penny arcades when in Matlock Bath...

I was just wondering if any of you Peak Districtians could offer me some expert local advice? I'm putting together a LEJOG route (leaving in 10 days) and am going to stay with some friends in Sheffield. I wanted a nice route into and through the Peaks taking in Winnat Pass (purely because its the only one I've heard of). I've used a bit of @KT_Bee's route above, but the rest is just streetview and guess work. I'd love to hear if anyone would recommend any other bits of road as unmissable/climbs or passes preferrable to Winnats or routes into Sheffield preferable to that I have planned. Any advice or suggestions very gratefully received.

Cheers

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/792761349

It's maybe a bit far West from where you'll be, but Goyt's Lane down from Long Hill above Buxton was always a favourite when I was little. After that you can cross the dam and either head up The Street or cross the dam and turn left up the valley to get to the Cat & Fiddle.

And going in the wrong direction, surely?

You could obviously go up it instead. Is that the road (does anyone know) they use for the 'short' Long Hill hillclimb?

Some edge-of-Sheffield thoughts...

Cycling down Winnats is great fun and very scenic, but it does mean you miss Mam Nick, which is the road that turns left just before Winnats, and heads over into Edale. Mam Nick is probably the most famous climb in the Peaks around Sheffield, so you might want to divert purely for that reason, but then it is 'properly' done by climbing up from Edale. So from where you're coming from, I think cycling down Winnats will actually be nicer.

Then from Castleton to Hathersage you're following the main road, which is a good road to cycle as main roads go - it has a broad cycle lane for a long stretch, and is usually quite quiet and you can make good speed along it. But if you wanted a more scenic route, then after Hope turn north through the lanes to skirt around Hathersage and eventually join Ringinglow Road:

http://simonlikesmaps.appspot.com/share?key=ahBzfnNpbW9ubGlrZXNtYXBzchILEgVSb3V0ZRiAgICA8oiACgw

Then given you're heading to Nethedge you've made a good choice heading in down Ringinglow Road - a very pleasant way to arrive into Sheffield.

Here's a route you'd probably not want to do, although the Manifold Valley makes for a very relaxed entry to the Peaks and has some nice sharp climbs out of it.

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/9482561

if you do the Winnats route then definitely take the detour @sifriday suggested, much nicer than the main road. Winnats is a blast down, but might be busy as it's the holidays so won't be able to give it some.

here's a suggestion for an alternative. 3 climbs;
Monsal head - iconic, nice views, pub at the top.
Longstone Edge - Views!
Abney - quiet lanes that peak district does best.

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/795686607