Tag: Tissington

#365daysofbiking Taking the Derbyshire hundreds

Friday, October 30th 2020 – There was a weekend of bad weather forecast, so I took the opportunity to get a long ride in – and aimed for a century, to test my fitness.

I achieved 110 miles, and returned to places I’ve not been in some years. I was very pleased, and the ride was exhilarating and beautiful.

It rained a couple of times, and I got wet, but it didn’t matter. Up the A515 to Sudbury, over to Scropton and Hatton, up through Shirley and Hole in the Wall to Hognaston Winn and it’s alien-like navigation beacon via the daunting Madge Hill. Sunset came and followed me up the High Peak Trail from Middleton Top to Parsley Hay, whereupon I headed to Ashbourne on the Tissington Trail in the blackest of nights.

The night run back via Alkmonton, Foston, Tutbury, Barton Gate, Yoxall, Hanch and Chorley was gorgeous and challenging.

Autumn on the trails and lanes of Derbyshire is a bit treacherous, but a fun ride: But as ever, the bleak, beautiful countryside of Derbyshire and East Staffordshire was the star.

It’s great to be back in the game at last. I thought I’d never make it.

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August 10th – I did a century, up to Cromford. Starting early, I cycled up the incline and onto the High Peak Trail, and on to Parsley Hay. Back down the Tissington, tea in the village, then off to Dovedale, climbing up to Throwley and on to Calton in the Weaver Hills. I love the Peak District, and as is often said, some of the best bits of Derbyshire are in Staffordshire; the Weavers are, and so is Ilam. It was a gorgeous, sunny, warm day. I had power in my legs, and the sun on my back. It doesn’t get much better than this.

Find out more on my main blog.

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.

March 16th – A 115 mile day ride. Up with the birds, an on the train to Cromford, Derbyshire, at 7:00am. Arriving at 8:20, I had breakfast, then hit the High Peak Trail, which starts with a 300m climb out of the Derwent Valley. Transferring to the Tissington trail and Penine Bridalway, I shot down into Chee Dale via the A6 at Topley Pike, before undertaking the Monsal Trail in the downhill direction. Back on the A6 at Bakewell, into Derby, back out via Mackworth, Etwall, Egginton and the joys of cycle route 68. Homewards via Burton and Lichfield, a great ride.
As readers can probably tell, this week I’ve had some time to myself away from work to get back in condition to undertake some longer, summer rides. Easier than I thought, my pace wasn’t keen, but my stamina was good. A great, if not terribly photogenic day.