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@The_Seldom_Killer
It's pretty scenic on the A57, particularly over the part that is the Snake Pass. It's a long climb on both sections but in fairness, not that steep save part of the climb out of Glossop. While I wouldn't normally advise such a prominent road, on a weekday morning the traffic is usually pretty light and not going to be a problem if you want to stick it in a low gear and twiddle.
From the A57 you also have access to the road up the Ladybower Reservoir and Howden Reservoir, part of which is on trails but pretty clean and ridable on a road bike, which is really good. You can also drop down through Bamford and into the Hope Valley and Edale, which is pretty stunning all year round.
The bit down to Grindleford is nice and easy and with a bit of a dig up to Eyam you can seen be headed through some wide open countryside through Foolow, Grindlow and into Tideswell. There's always going to be a bit of climbing, but none of the bits mentioned so far are the real biggies and the rewards at the top do make them enjoyable.
Alas roads next to the rivers tend to be quite up and down, and on the steep sides not always a lot of fun if climbing isn't your thing. Better to stick to the trade routes, like the bigger roads and railways if you can. The good thing about the Hope Valley is if, at the end of the day you don't really fancy climbing out, it's easy to hope on a train for cheap and almost all stations are within spitting distance of a good pub.