Tag: peak district

March 16th – The first video of the Peak District ride. I will do a second in time.

A journey from Comford Wharf, on the Cromford Canal in the Derwent Vally, Derbyshire, to Hassop Station in on the Monsal Trail, not far from Bakewell. The trail starts with a 300m Climb to HArborough Rocks, near Brassington, and follows the High Peak Trail for 12 miles of utterly flat, traffic-free trail. Joining the Tissington at Parsley Hay, it’s a slow climb to Hurdlow, the on to the Penine Bridleway, where the route peaks at Fivewells at 440m. A sharp descent to Wyedale, vita Topley Pike and the A6 ensues, then the Monsal trail to Hassop, for a well deserved lunch. Part 2 to follow. From Hassop, I cycled the rest of the Monsall, then into Derby on the A6, then home via NCN 54 – Mackworth, Etwall, Egginton, Burton, Barton and Lichfield. About 115 miles total. 

Music is the divine ‘This Sky’ by the Derek Trucks Band.

December 20th – 390 metres up on Nether Low, on a desolate bridleway ten miles from the nearest significant town, this beautiful spot is blighted by flytipping. Possibly the remnants of metal theft, a pile of discarded cable insulation. Scrap yards pay more for stripped copper, so the insulation is carelessly discarded. This is the visible side effect of the scrap trade, and we’re still no closer to solving the problem. My views on this, and the current pointless knee jerk reaction are well known. Meanwhile, while politicians and the public prevaricate, the damage continues. Senseless. The good people fighting this crime need more resources. Now.

December 20th – A better day indeed. This year, the Monsal Trail, between Bakewell and Cowlow in the Peak District, was upgraded and enhanced for cyclists with the tunnels reopened. Cyclists, walkers and horse riders can now undertake the full length of the eight mile trail. I’ve wanted to try this trail out since it reopened in May, but not had chance. Normally, I’d ride all the way there and back, but due to the dark and weather, I left early and took a train journey to Matlock. From there, I cycled the seven miles up the A6 to the trail start, traversed this fantastic route, then climbed Topley Pike to Chelmorton (a tough slog of about 150m), and headed south along the Penine Bridleway, the full length of the Tissington Trail then back through Ashbourne, Longford, Tutbury and Alrewas. It was a great day, which I shall post about on my main blog over the next few days. The weather was OK, but very overcast, so the photos don’t really do it justice, but a great sunrise at Tamworth high-level station and the snow-topped peaks of the Roaches and Sutton Common were a joy to behold. All in all, a great 95 miles. Roll on spring…

April 22nd – The long Good Friday.

Another big panorama image, about a mile further into the Manifold Valley. The road descends nerve-wrackingly to a 90 degree righthand bend through a farmyard, otherwise known as Throwley. Nearby, the ruins of Throwley Hall are preserved. Few really seem to come here, and it’s why I love the area so much – there’s unexpected delight in every turn.

Further down the valley, people throng at Dovedale and Milldale, yet seldom stray up the hill. Their loss.

April 22nd – The long Good Friday. 2nd 100 mile plus ride this year, a 114 mile spin up through Staffordshire, into the Dove Valley and up over the Weaver Hills to take some photos and video for top twitter guy @66usual (Steve Lightfoot), who’s interested in the area. Dropped down into the Manifold Valley, then up onto the Tissington Trail, back down the High Peak Trail to Brassington and home via Ashbourne, Hatton, Barton and Lichfield.

This image was taken from the back of the Weaver Hills, just north of Calton, overlooking the Manifold Valley. Few people here, only livestock and bird song to break the silence. And, of course, an old, sweaty cyclist singing tunelessly to the Stone Roses as he descends on one of the best downhill runs he knows.

A great day and a fantastic ride. Seem to be in good shape for early spring, and didn’t crap out once – although the climb out of Thorpe to the Tissington had me sweating a bit. 

Look out for a post and video here and on the main blog in the next day or so. This is a large panorama photo and you’ll need to click on it to get the full impression.