The Peak District Riding Thread

My New Years Resolution is to try and ride all of the non-residential roads in the Peak District. Partly for a bit of a tough challenge and partly because it is one of the more beautiful places to go riding.

My limited experience with riding with forum folk has always been good so I thought I would start this thread in the hope that I might be able to garner some interest in some company. Can I tempt anyone out to ride in some stunning scenery or tackle some of the country's more challenging climbs? Good tea, pie, cake and beer can also be found in the nation's first National Park.

Next Ride - 12th May - Fixed Gear Special - 10am, Chesterfield.

on a forum designed for bikes with only one gear..

I'd love to, but I don't think I'd get too far on 48x17

I reply not to be an idiot but because I'm around here too and actually would love to be able to ride these hills #onlygotonebike

Dates permitting, I'd be in for some Peaks Rides.

on a forum designed for bikes with only one gear..

I'd love to, but I don't think I'd get too far on 48x17

Two options; a) chuck a 44 on (either end but I recommend the chainring) for a day/weekend) or 2) HTFU. Last year I hauled myself out on the club Christmas dinner ride on 42x16 and had a decent half days ride. While the Peak is renown for it's climbs, there are some more gentle sections out there that are pretty good for fixed. I do reccomend a front brake though, in case any bits of descent do get away from you.

I reply not to be an idiot but because I'm around here too and actually would love to be able to ride these hills #onlygotonebike

TheSeldomKiller has excellent local knowledge, so perhaps he might choose a route for a particular day that is not quite so steep, but is still a challenge, and other riders might be interested in joining in on fixed.
I'd be interested.

To be honest I'll definitely join you on a few of those jaunts, Andrew. It's only 45mins away by train, and that last trip we did was such good fun. I'm sure I'll be able tempt Tom(Tilover) to keep me company on the train down again!

Keep me posted with your routes and I'll let you know!

(either end but I recommend the chainring)

:D

I do reccomend a front brake though, in case any bits of descent do get away from you.

It's this that bothers me most. Put on a lower gearing=spin even more ridiculously down the other side. Tho I suppose as it'd be a social ride rather than a `club' ride people wouldn't mind waiting for me to gingerly pick my way down the descents?!

I used to run 42x16 and have to say there was never a hill I encountered that I couldn't get up comfortably. I've gone up some steep stuff on my current gearing and it just destroys your legs for the rest of the ride.

I could of course try option 2..

I'd definitely wait! I might even join you on fixed, though I'd definitely agree with Andrew that a front brake is essential in hilly terrain when riding fixed. I'd not worry about a low gear and spinning out - I've not been caught out too many times by hard descents when riding fixed, though I've had the odd 'moment!'

Rides will always be social rides. Unless you're riding for a club, I don't see any point in dragging people around something that they aren't going to enjoy. I will probably do some of my jaunts on fixed so will be sorting out some fixed friendly routes. In drier months I'll even be looking to include some of the old railways that have been converted, these are usually doable on skinny road tires.

Going to mop up the north end of the Peaks before spring because this is the less cycling jaunt friendly bit and I want to get things like an early morning crossing of the Woodhead pass out of the way sooner rather than later. If the general weather isn't too bad I'll start posting route ideas for the end of February onwards.

This sounds fantastic - I did some great rides up there over Xmas - round the White Peak, and one over to the Staffordshire Moorlands (which I think is a bit of an undiscovered gem). Winnats Pass is on my to do list for this year. I fear I might slow you all down if I joined you, but I might crib some of your routes for when I'm up visiting / avoiding family.

Tish and piffle, I live here, I can go ripping around the peaks any time I like. I started this thread solely in the interests of organising some social, all abilities inclusive rides and you or anyone else will be more than welcome to come along. I continually read about the fun had on forum rides and wish I could come along. Alas as getting to London is a bit difficult for me at the moment so the alternative is to offer to get other people up into a part of the country that I think they might enjoy.

Well it would make my mother happy if I got up to Derbyshire more often! I might need to come out geared - if only to get up the hill out of the village (though I'm currently running 42x17 fixed, so I really ought to be able to give it a go)... but will do my best to come on at least one.

Likes the sound of all this (looks on maps to find out where it is)

i'll come for a ride if i'm free. also only got one bike which is a bit scobleised. few non-forumegers i know might be interested too.

This definitely now sounds like my kind of thing :D Keep us posted!

Well it would make my mother happy if I got up to Derbyshire more often! I might need to come out geared - if only to get up the hill out of the village (though I'm currently running 42x17 fixed, so I really ought to be able to give it a go)... but will do my best to come on at least one.

To be honest I'd say geared is the best bet to truly enjoy the area. I can't remember there being a flat bit in the whole county! And Andrew is a great ride 'leader', with plenty of stops and a really friendly pace that never rips the legs off. If I can haul my outsized frame around these routes then anyone can!

OK, as a general idea, the first ride I plan to open up for company will be the last Saturday in February (25th). This is subject to the weather and will be aimed at gearie riders as I plan to take in a couple of the longer descents and one rather steep one. Fixed wheel riders will be welcome but should be aware that the terrain might be considered a little challenging. More details to follow later.

I've got the Hell of the Ashdown the next day, so almost certainly out. Will keep my eye out for subsequent dates. Have a great ride!

Where will you generally be starting from please,my brain is in planning mode,(and it hurts)

This one will almost definitely start from Sheffield.

For reference, the two other places that I'm likely to start a ride are Chesterfield (there's a nice easy warm up entry to The Peaks for fixed riders) and Glossop (for ease of getting into the west of The Peaks)

I'll be keeping my eye on this thread. I'm really keen to ride the peaks, and to meet more than your avatar.

Will keep eye on Glossop dates

I'll keep an eye on this too. Let me know if you want to chat about routes.

Will do. This one is likely to take in much of the Norton Wheelers Christmas Dinner ride, up to Owler Bar, descend through Baslow and over to Monsal Head, back round through Eyam and up either Froggatt or Grindleford to Fox House, descend back to town beers and byes.

Will spread the word around the polo lot as well.

Done quite a few of these hilly audaxes fixed around the Peaks:

http://www.highergrangefarm.fsnet.co.uk/PeakAudax/permanent.htm

Some lovely roads - you just have to be realistic and use your other gear (Shanks pony) when needed