Office Outing 09 - Peak District

Summary...

The chaps didn't fancy a hard challenge this year - too idle to train over the summer.. so came up with a gentle outing that wasn't too far to get to and from. Another cycle, this time around the Peak District.

Those taking part this year, after a lot of fallers.. 

Me

Martin C

Gav

Tom (route master - like a bus with panniers... no, he did the routes again)

Garry

Richard (and his girlfriend, brother and his wife!).. so Team Latimer then  

The route was from Ashbourne up to Crowden Youth Hostel (north of Glossop)for the night and then back a different way, to Ashbourne. The  google earth link is here.. The intention was to try to encircle the Peak District, but the available roads make it tricky without going right round the outside. So we ended up with Ashbourne, Bakewell, Castleton, Chapel-en-le-frith, Glossop, Crowden, then back via Hathersage, Baslow, Matlock and Bamford. This meant about 50miles per day, much shorter than last year but much more hilly, over 6000ft of ascent according to the bus.

Since we were only doing short mileage, I didn't feel we could call on sponsorship, so no funding for support vehicle(s). This meant getting ourselves to a car park, leaving the cars and returning to them the next day. I couldn't get confirmation that we could leave them overnight at the Mapleton Lane car park (out of town and looking the most convenient) but we agreed to meet there and decide what was best. Richard's brother's wife (Lizzy) could not join us for the first day (hockey), but agreed to meet at the hostel Sat evening. This meant that we could send up our overnight/second day gear with Richard, who was going to spend Fri night at his brother's - logistics, eh?!

Sat 19 September - no faffing as we all went by car and met at a car park in Ashbourne.. where we faffed..

So.. Up at 6ish and left the house at 7 having packed the car the night before. We were all supposed to meet at the car park at 9am. I got there at 8.45 - a beautiful early autumn morning, very peaceful, not a soul. No souls at 09:15 either.. At 09:20 I got a text to say that Richard and his crew would be late. At 09:30 the kiosk man turned up.. and so did Gav! The others rolled up and we all faffed. 

We set off without Richard (and entourage) shortly after 09:30, along the A515. We'd got as far as the turn down to Bakewell before hearing that Richard had set off - not to worry, they were proper cyclists and would catch us in no time. One wrong turn and a tour through Over Haddon I think - lovely little village.

 Then down into Bakewell and a stop outside a pastry shop! Bakewell puds all round for elevensies! Bought little ones and rode up the A6 a little way until we found a nice green bit next to an old mill by the river.. rest and munch! Fantastic, and nothing like the artificial tasting supermarket ones.

On our way to Ashford and news that Richard and the others were not far short of Bakewell..

At Ashford we turned right and up to Monsal Head - lovely views down the valley and a great view of a couple of numpties that turned up on Harley's, one of who's girlfriend got off and he dropped it in slow motion. She just watched him struggling. They didn't stay long..

Down through Wardle and to the A623. Sun was getting up and it was getting plenty warm. Left at the main road and back up a steady slope to the next right turn onto the B6049. Mart and I stopped at the turn, on the verge outside a pub for the others. They rolled in fairly soon, still no sign of Rich and the others. Mart went in to fill his water bottle. He was refused (amazed he asked personally). This was a first. There was only a small car park and one or two cars in it. After 20mins of banana and juice the landlord came out and moved us on - possibly the most unwelcoming pub in the land, not that we were even in it! That seemed to be his problem, we were outside it and not paying! 

Here is a pic if you want one to avoid - Plenty of claims for the quality of the food (on the board behind us) but can't say much for the hospitality..

Onward and through Bradwell (that I don't remember at all!), Brough and on to Hope. Lovely views all round, spoilt by the grim cement works in the middle!

We passed through Hope to Castleton, where we stopped for 'lunch' before tackling Winnats Pass - a fiendish slope that goes on and on out of the end of the valley..

Anyway, the stop turned into just snacks. Heard from Richard that they were just behind us and had stopped in Hope for lunch. 

After a brief stop we continued on our way.. in a low gear..

For the first time I engaged the 'chicken' ring! the smallest chain ring. Foolishly I didn't go down to the lowest gear before it was too steep and struggled up the incline. I must have got 3/4 of the way up before everything cried enough and I had to get off.. the lack of any relief in the slope was the killer, along with lack of training! I got back on before the end when the slope started to ease up, and turned right onto the  B6061 and then left onto the A6187, before stopping at the summit of the pass. 

Once we had all gathered and watched folk doing the last 100ft up to Mam Tor from the pass, we set off on the down hill run into Chapel. Still no sign of Richard and crew.. Down through Chapel and a right turn to Glossop. A couple of nasty climbs before Glossop. The first 400ft had everyone puffing and looking more closely at the map to see if it was the last! Alas, no, down into Hayfield and then another 400ft climb Still no sign of Richard and the pros..

Then it's down into Glossop - up to 43mph for some.. We crossed the centre of town and a short way up the hill we gathered at the Star Inn. They kindly let us stash the bikes in a passage by the back door before we wearily wandered into the bar.. where some perked up immediately on seeing a couple of ladies at the bar at 4pm on a Saturday afternoon.. 

Here we waited, with some much needed ales, for the rest of the team, who still hadn't caught us up. Information arrived that they had worn Richard out with the chase! Eventually they turned up in time for one before we left after 5pm to find the Crowden Youth Hostel. The sun was going down and it was getting cooler but still fine for cycling along the reservoir, across the valley and back on ourselves to the Hostel.

Having paid for the rooms, we paid for the evening meal and were allowed to store the bikes in a locked store room. Still no sign of Lizzie with the car and overnight bags so we had to put dinner off for half an hour - very obliging of our host! Once the car had arrived all showered and assembled for a great tea of soup, pie or curry, choc pud or ice cream and fresh coffee.. very good. The idea of taxiing back in to sample the Glossop nightlife was shelved in favour of a film from the hostel selection - no TV reception and other guests had requisitioned the ping pong.

Early night!

Sun 20 September

awake at 5 and never really got back to sleep. up at 7 for coffee and a ramble around the immediate countryside. Beautiful cold morning. pics. Great breakfast (all in the price) of coffee, pain au chocolat and fried (one of each)! Another recommendation for Youth Hostel. 

Off at 9.30 as agreed (despite faffing!). Lovely blue skies to set off under. Long steady climb out of the end of the valley. Not too much traffic on the A628 so very pleasant start to the day. Stop at the top and it's starting to get warm already! (pic)

Fantastic long downhill into Langsett where we deviate from the main road and go via the back lanes across the reservoir and through Midhope. (pic?)

Then up a long climb before a very sharp 400ft descent and the first of the days short sharp climbs! Almost running out of steam but made it to level ground (pic)

A couple more of these before Strines Inn and everyone was hoping it was the last! Sun getting hotter..

In summary..

Another great one with great weather and excellent value YHA accommodation.. Fantastic English countryside views, the new bike was great, and I think the whole crew enjoyed it.. More next year - apparently!

last updated: 02 October 2009