The Plan
To celebrate my 35th birthday I decided to take a ride. A two day ride in fact. With an overnight stay thrown in. No epic, just a pleasant and informal ride through the Peak District. Coming along for the ride would be Matthew, my on/off training partner and main adversary in various sporting events. Support would be provided by our respective partners, Vicky and Lisa (with daughter Sophie). Struck the right balance I thought if all were involved.
The weather was great. Looking out from bedroom window blues skies could be seen and it looked warm. It was warm. Especially fortunate for March weather. So while records were being set for March temperatures we set off feeling suitably pleased with our luck. We were carrying minimal gear - windproof, puncture repair kit and pump, fluids and flapjack - for what was little more that a training ride really.
The Route
Day 1 - Outbound to Eyam
The plan was to follow a route largely taken from Phil and Friend's Sportive which we both rode last year. In summary (see the map above) we started out from Stalybridge and headed for Eyam via a non direct route to cover fifty or so miles. From Stalybridge we climbed Mottram Road dropping into Glossop and continuing to Chapel-en-le-Frith. Ascended Sheffield Road up to and beside Mam Tor. Dropped at speed into the Vale of Edale taking the loop to Hope and Castleton. Ascended Winnets Pass. Passed through the quiet villages of Peak Forest, Hargatewall and Wormhill. Descended into the valley of the River Wye and regained lost height through Litton. Briefly took to the A623 to finish in the Plague Village of Eyam.
The first real sustained ascent was Sheffield Road out of Chapel-en-le-Frith. We took it steady resisting the temptation to race. This was supposed to be a pleasure ride.
The traffic was light and progress was made without incident. The Edale loop was especially quiet and a pleasure to cycle.
We stopped in Hope village at the Woodbine Cafe. A popular halt for cyclists. We sat in the courtyard at the rear of the cafe and enjoyed a lunch of sandwiches and pints of tea.
It was good to have the company of the support team. Late setting off because I hadn't put petrol in car. What can I say except to apologise profusely.
Ready for the off with our bellies full. Winnets Pass lay a short distance ahead, in relation to which Matt had something of a score to settle having walked a short section of it on Phil and Friends. We breezed it and headed onwards along a section we favourably recalled as being quiet on roads though small villages to a switchback descent to the English Wye valley.
It was great riding with barely a car passing by. Fortunate really as Matt was caught short.
Having climbed up through Litton to the A623 we cruised the last few miles enjoying the tree lined descent to the Eyam turn-off. We headed straight to the Miners Arms for a pint and waited for the support team to arrive. Matt was keeping up his new found habit of not picking up a puncture every ride.
Soon after our one pint we headed for the bed and breakfast where we were booked in for the night and got ready for an evening meal in the pub. A nice way to end the day.
Day 2 - Return via Chatsworth
To celebrate my 35th birthday I decided to take a ride. A two day ride in fact. With an overnight stay thrown in. No epic, just a pleasant and informal ride through the Peak District. Coming along for the ride would be Matthew, my on/off training partner and main adversary in various sporting events. Support would be provided by our respective partners, Vicky and Lisa (with daughter Sophie). Struck the right balance I thought if all were involved.
The weather was great. Looking out from bedroom window blues skies could be seen and it looked warm. It was warm. Especially fortunate for March weather. So while records were being set for March temperatures we set off feeling suitably pleased with our luck. We were carrying minimal gear - windproof, puncture repair kit and pump, fluids and flapjack - for what was little more that a training ride really.
The Route
Day 1 - Outbound to Eyam
The plan was to follow a route largely taken from Phil and Friend's Sportive which we both rode last year. In summary (see the map above) we started out from Stalybridge and headed for Eyam via a non direct route to cover fifty or so miles. From Stalybridge we climbed Mottram Road dropping into Glossop and continuing to Chapel-en-le-Frith. Ascended Sheffield Road up to and beside Mam Tor. Dropped at speed into the Vale of Edale taking the loop to Hope and Castleton. Ascended Winnets Pass. Passed through the quiet villages of Peak Forest, Hargatewall and Wormhill. Descended into the valley of the River Wye and regained lost height through Litton. Briefly took to the A623 to finish in the Plague Village of Eyam.
The first real sustained ascent was Sheffield Road out of Chapel-en-le-Frith. We took it steady resisting the temptation to race. This was supposed to be a pleasure ride.
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| Someway along the ascent of Sheffield Road near Rushup Edge. |
We stopped in Hope village at the Woodbine Cafe. A popular halt for cyclists. We sat in the courtyard at the rear of the cafe and enjoyed a lunch of sandwiches and pints of tea.
 |
| Posing at Woodbine Cafe. |
 |
| Lisa, Sophie and Vicky |
Ready for the off with our bellies full. Winnets Pass lay a short distance ahead, in relation to which Matt had something of a score to settle having walked a short section of it on Phil and Friends. We breezed it and headed onwards along a section we favourably recalled as being quiet on roads though small villages to a switchback descent to the English Wye valley.
 |
| Raring to go. |
 |
| Is anyone coming Rick? |
Having climbed up through Litton to the A623 we cruised the last few miles enjoying the tree lined descent to the Eyam turn-off. We headed straight to the Miners Arms for a pint and waited for the support team to arrive. Matt was keeping up his new found habit of not picking up a puncture every ride.
 |
| Cheers. |
Day 2 - Return via Chatsworth
The plan for day two was essentially to return home taking a different route. From Eyam we headed for Chatsworth returning via Baslow. At the Calver crossroads turned right to Grindleford. Hathersage followed then Ladybower. Snake Pass was ascended and the outbound route joined and followed in reverse at Glossop.
Ready for the off. It was a sunny but much cooler morning. The clocks had gone forward and an hour lost (in sleep). First off we were heading away from home, to take in a tour of Chatsworth. Matt's first time at the big house, a summer regular myself.
The sun was now out and the windproof was pocketed. The route back was undulating but free from serious ascent until Snake Pass. Quick progress was made through Hathersage, Grindleford and Bamford. Ladybower skirted we headed for Snake Pass. The traffic was amazingly light. Plenty of motorbikes because of the nice weather. We pushed strongly up the Pass keeping to a good average speed. We did stop briefly in the lay-by where the support team had pulled over. We soon pushed on. Rewarded by the long effortless descent into Glossop. The job was pretty much done.
The two days had been fantastic. A great route devised by us. Give it a try you won't be disappointed. Better than following someone else's route. Great scenery as anyone who knows the Peak will agree. Great weather which could not have been bettered. No grumbles about the traffic which was surprisingly light. The only incident of any sort was when Matt dropped his drinks bottle and ran over it.
Over the two days 96 miles were cycled and 5,600 feet climbed. Not raced but enjoyed. Not a bad birthday if I say so myself. Thanks Matt, Vicky, Lisa and Sophie.
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