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I'll tweak the route over this weekend because there's a couple of little bits that need sorting out.

As far as cafe stops are concerned, there's a good coffee shop in Hope if anyone fancies a bit of caffeine assistance before the first big climb. Tideswell might be preferable to Bakewell although there are options between the two and as far as Calver.

Owing to an ongoing Achilles issue it seems very unlikely that I will be able to ride this. I will try to come out in the van and take some pictures though.

Cool, just found out, if you opt for b) then trains are running as far as New Mill Central and from there its an easy hop on back roads and decent tow paths into Whalley Bridge for Chapel and Rushup. If you were then to leave the ride at Owler Bar (there's a pub, we could have a drink), you could make the easy drop into the Hathersage and head along the Hope Valley for your choice of Winnats or Mam Nick before heading back the way you came. Puts you on about a par with what people leaving from Sheffield would be doing.

Couple of options available.

a) a return via Leeds.
b) ride out through Poynton, Whalley Bridge and Rushup Edge to meet us somewhere between the top of Mam Nick and the top of Winnats Pass and train back via Leeds
c) have a designated driver (probably best to park up in the Rivelin Valley)
d) We could look at pushing back the date a week but I think some Londoners have already purchased tickets at a reduced and therefore probably non-refundable price.

I had intended to give people a bit of a scenic rest after the double of Mam Nick and Winnats. This addition puts on another 5 miles and, on top of Peaslow, adds Rushup Lane, which goes a bit steeper. Also that stretch of the A623 can be a bit industrial on a Saturday.

Depends. What do people think? Peaslow is a good climb but comes at a price on this route.

If I'm about, due to current health and achilles issues, I won't be on fixed. I will be riding at the back and doing any rushing around that's needed so I have my justification. If you're going to bring a cross bike, especially with some cross tyres, you may get volunteered for a bit of cross country work to get some nice action shots of the suffering.

Roughly 100k with about 2000m climb.

I've done it a bunch of times on a road bike. Last pass was up in November on a well laden bike and its currently 95-98% rideable depending on general riding skill. Riders may end up walking more of Winnats (or cutting to the top to provide a cheering committee) and its an interesting bit of routing that visitors to the area often miss out on.

I've already suggested a few so I'm not going to do any more. Whatever route gets decided on, I'm happy to offer general guiding, technical, back-marking services etc for the day.

They're nutcases and they represent us because they asked if they could and most of the people around them said yes.

Next time you're at a political hustings, ask the candidates which personality flaw is most likely to result in them claiming religious persecution despite them not being an adherent to that faith. That should help sort the wheat from the chaf.

I was thinking of tweeting Heathrow to see if the pilots based there fancy a skive tomorrow. Would £500, train fare and a £50 Argos voucher be a good offer?

Same. Until I tub up I've been working on getting the gear drops timed just right and fast accelleration away from corners.

Tempting though it may be, straight there and back without putting in any other interesting stuff would put us over 100k. By the time March rolls round there could be other interesting newly resurfaced roads which give a lot more options.

Would people prefer 2nd or 9th of March?

I can't say whether or not WAIR is better than something like the Respro but their diagrams imply a fairly thin area of seal and a single point of anchoring. That in itself suggests that its claim of 100% air tightness may not stand up.

Just so you know, the big stuff, the stuff you can smell, is the least likely to cause lasting physiological damage.

Peel Park for the North of England champs.

A shortened course compared to its usual Trophy or Champs configuration but still genuinely amazing. Conditions were moderate for this venue but that still left quite a bit of up and down running and clagging up. I didn't have to change bikes but lots of leaves meant anyone on cantis was at a disadvantage.
Fell into a three way race against riders from both the other leagues so had a really enjoyable battle near the back for minor pride. While outclassed on the technical riding sections, I managed to hold on in the straights and put distance into them on the up running to beat them to the line.

And how much can I get paid for this state sponsored stalking of miserable trainwankers.

Fair enough, I'm not really that up on the technology. I assumed that covering several of the key unique features (chin, lips, nose, etc) would be sufficient to prevent recognition but that's really just a guess.

Might be time to look into the technology.

I have a respirator for work (unpowered but similar to the one pictured by mdcc tester) because I can be working with hazardous and contaminated materials. One thing that we have to do on a regular basis is to under go a face fit test. If it isn't forming a proper seal around the mouth and nose, then it is effectively useless. There isn't a single "pollution mask" for cyclists on the market that would pass a face fit test so for this reason they're fairly pointless right from the off.

We're also advised to take regular breaks while using them in part so that the can be swabbed out of any build up of sweat and moisture from exhalation. Not going to be a lot of point to a pollution mask if you're having to take it off on a regular basis otherwise you'll just be recycling manky air.

As mentioned by Jonny69, the masks just take out the big stuff (unless you don't change the filter very frequently) which is only a small part of the problem. So really, what they're doing is making the air smell better. If that makes you feel better about riding in the city then you absolutely should do it, but there isn't really any compelling reason other than that. In terms of exploring options, you're better off exploring different roads and riding those with less traffic on them and joining campaigns to reduce traffic and place tighter controls on vehicle emissions.

I did use to wear one many years ago and there is one important tangible benefit. When it's properly cold outside, they're a lot more comfortable than a scarf or a buff over your mouth for keeping you warm. I suppose technically they may also offer some defence against Police use of mobile facial recognition as well if that's of concern to you.

I may sponsor an award for the greatest distance walked up a hill due to being overgeared.

Its good but bumps up the distance quite a bit.
And if you're taking that route out there's a bunch of other climbs you should be taking in.

If this ride goes ahead and is a success then it'll be good to have some options saved up for next time.

OK, here we go. Slightly shorter, slightly more climbing.

Takes in Mam Nick, Winnats, Monsal and, just for lols, Sheldon and Curbar. There's a couple of bail out/in options to suit most abilities.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28986209

I'll put up a Sheffield - Winnats route later.

If you were to go that way, I'd suggest Mam Nick, drop down the broken road (95% rideable) and then back up Winnats and head over to Peak Forest.

I descended Winnats on fixed once and was glad I still had two brakes fitted. There's almost always too much traffic there.

Which makes end of January/some time in February feasible.

Not wishing to piss on anyone's chips but this is The North (only just). We get weather up here and we have elevation. Unlike AHIJ out in the southern lanes when its a bit parky, there's a good chance of snow or getting half way up a hill and finding it ice clad during Jan and Feb. More than once I've had to turn around early on a ride because conditions have gotten a bit Mountain Rescuey. One of which I had to try and outrun an unexpected blizzard. Fun until my lungs felt like they were bleeding and I got pasted and a touch hyperthermic (not much of a cautionary tale, I'm quite slow).

Or you could have the best of days and an amazing ride in some of the best winter scenery this country has to offer. Just be aware that taking time off work, or booking trains etc is more of a gamble at that time of year.

Nice ride albeit not a lot of Peak District in that. Proper lols if fixed going up Thrush, down Rangeley and back up Hagg. I'd amend that to shoot down Rivelin and through the gennels.