The Peak District Riding Thread

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.

1. Lucifer
   

Many apologies people, the parents might well be playing the "visitation" card for that weekend so please don't take that date as absolute. Nominations for two weeks before or two weeks after are now being accepted with a decision to be made imminently. Route will remain the same.

An update. Following the now confirmed parental invasion of my precious cycling time, I'm moving the same ride to 10th March. I hope people are still interested.

Probably riding three fields audax from Alfreton that day. Have fun out there.

I was thinking of doing that one but have plumped for the Chirk 200k from Stockport instead. I've audaxed from/around/through Alfreton a bit over the last few years and each time I find I hate the place just a little bit more. No doubt I'll be through there again in the future though.

^ I have very specific memories of Alfreton, not a nice place.

I like the place, used to ride to the lido as a kid.

Just a heads up on the ride I have planned for April. This will be one tailored for fixed wheel riding (although any machine is welcome). In short, the route will kick off from Chesterfield with a long but gentle climb into the Peaks before dropping down to Baslow and working over to Bakewell. From there it will head up the Monsal Trail as far as it goes before picking up the roads through Chelmorton to pick up the High Peak Trail in the direction of Matlock. There's a steep descent (around 12%) into Cromford before rolling through the spa town of Matlock and heading back to Chesterfield. It should be a full day out but with the exception of one or two short bits, nothing too challenging, just very picturesque.

The Monsal Trail and the High Peak Trail are converted railway lines, mostly surfaced in hardpack so only do this on your prettiest pride and joy if you don't mind cleaning it afterwards as there is a strong chance it'll get a bit dusty, if not slightly mucky. That said, the scenery and views on offer are definitely worth it.

Date TBC but probably the last weekend in April and probably the Sunday.

A little three weeks to go bumpage. After the nasty cold snap, things have rapidly warmed up around here so hopefully by 10th March it should be a pretty good day for riding.

Two weeks to go.

Definitely out. Just realised Derby are at home so any ride I do will need to have me at Pride Park for kick off.

Looks like a short sprint out to Carsington - Tissington - Ashbourne and back.

hijack - 17th March is Northern Coffee Tour number 2 taking in Blaze Hill, Goyt Valley etc. think it starts at coffeefix in gatley, but best follow them on twitter for updates if interested.

Subscribing for vicarious thrills.that climb out of chesterfield is one grinder of a hill babies :)

'tis a nice loosener aye.

The Peak District Riding Thread

Since when has the Peak District been a riding? It doesn't even have a lot of it in Yorkshire.

Any plans for rides over Easter? Will be back in Derbyshire for at least Fri-Sun. Home is near Matlock.

Where's the best place to stay in the Peak District?

Was thinking of heading up to Hope Valley and perhaps camping down near Edale.

Is that one of the best locations for setting out each day?

If camping in Edale, try to get into fieldhead rather than coopers field as the latter can be a bit noisy. Pubs there are great for food so you only ever need breakfast things.

Only problem with Fieldhead though is badgers, I had one eat a hole in the side of one of my tents.

It's as good a base as any round there and handy if you fancy a day walking up and round Kinder to give your sit bones a rest.

agree there^^
the nags is better of two pubs in Edale

Where's the best place to stay in the Peak District?

Was thinking of heading up to Hope Valley and perhaps camping down near Edale.

Is that one of the best locations for setting out each day?

The Hope Valley is great but because of that it is very touristy and I think you run the risk of getting overrun unless you go well out of season. As well as that a lot of the places rely on proximity rather than quality to draw people in. If you do want to be there I'd advise either Fieldhead in Edale or Hardhurst just off Parson's Lane.

As a place to set out from each day it leaves a bit to be desired as to get any real distance you need to go up a big hill. If you want a it more quiet and tranquility then you may find that you get more mileage out of places like Hucklow, Tideswell and Monsal Head, a little further south. A little further south and still some great walking and some excellent riding to be had.

Any plans for rides over Easter? Will be back in Derbyshire for at least Fri-Sun. Home is near Matlock.

I had purposefully left Easter empty as the Peak District does get full and didn't want to plan anything when people might be doing stuff with kids.

However, if you're going to be up at that time then I'm sure I can put something together for that weekend. We're not planning on going away so an excuse to visit Matlock is always welcome.

Please don't feel you have to lay anything on especially - it was only if there were plans to head out that I could tag along with. I had half a mind to head up to Winnats Pass, so could always try that. You're probably right about the traffic - though I'm always surprised how quiet it can be off the beaten track.

Mr Killer, what time do you expect to start and finish?

I'm planning on starting at around 11ish depending on when people expect to arrive and should expect to easily be back in Sheffield by 5pm. I'll be around to direct people to decent sources of food and beer for as long as people need or until I get tired and go home to bed.

Edale can get busy if the weather is good, and as mentioned there are 2 ways out of it, one of them being up a 25% hill. I'd try somewhere like Bamford, as it's handy for a few more areas without too much effort, like Snake Pass, Strines, Holmfirth etc. Neither of the pubs in Edale is up to much, though the Nags is the bette rof the 2.