Mad March in the Peaks

12th March 2011

My tardy attitude to updating this blog is starting to grate. I have been riding a little more but am now failing to update this page which is kind of defeating the point.

Anyhoo. On the 12th of March four intrepid cyclists got up early to get a few dryish miles in around Ladybower. With an unusual vigour we had managed to get up, load up bikes and drive to Chorlton to pick up Bod by 7.50am! This was setting a dangerous precident as I tend to run a 'little' late for these things (I think my record is 2 1/2 hours late). We cracked on to Glossop to pick up Steve. 14 miles of winding, undulating road later and we were at the Sheffield end of the Snake Pass and parking up at Ladybower reservoir.

I had borrowed Adam's new Navara pickup to get 4 bikes and 4 bodies upto the Peaks. It made things soooo much easier than playing bike/person tetris. The 28.6mpg was less than desirable though.

Navara - Fully Loaded

Bikes unpacked and fettled, a quick toilet break for Mark and we set off. Straight out of the car park, over the reservoir and onto the first bridleway. A fairly brisk start to warm up the legs before the first road climb up to Thornhill. We wanted to head up to Win Hill for the view and the great descent down the roman road. This neccessitated a slightly cheeky use of a footpath. It's a good techy climb though. It's got a brilliant combination of sticky, slippery mud, grass, loose stones and water bars and the gradient is steep enough to be testing but not too much so that you have to walk. After much puffing and panting we were at the first gate. A quick stop for a drink and to let Bod catch up after falling off. His excuse that it was his first time using spds was met with the utmost sympathy ;-).

The next part is a steep rocky push followed by a hike-a-bike to the summit.

Bod, Steve & Mark, mid Hike-a-Bike

On a clear day the view from Win Hill is excellent and this time was no exception. It's wonderfully peaceful even with a few walkers up there.

Steve casually shouldering his Ti Bride

We stopped to refuel on fizzy cola bottles and jellybeans and went to touch the trig point. I have a weird obsession about touching them. It's perfectly normal, honest!

Mark went for the hidey....peep look for this photo

It was getting touch chilly up there so we hooned off down the roman road. Actually some of us hooned. Bod minced. Again blaming the spds.

At the cross roads we decided to try 'Potato Alley' as opposed to the usual descent, intimidatingly named 'The Beast'. It seemed like a safer option considering Bods unusual descending reticence.

Bottom of Potato Alley

As it turns out it wasn't that safe after all. Steve had an over the handlebars crash and Mark and his bike parted company part of the way down too. It really is a fantastic descent though and I look forward to riding it again. I would say that though as I didn't fall off!

Steve's war wounds. It was worse than it looks

A smooth road descent back to the Snake Pass and a nice farmers track climb over to the plantation helped us forget the collective cuts and bruises. The last big descent of the day beckoned. It's a good 'un as well. It's starts with a fast hardpack trail and soon steepens off with technical bits and a few gullys to navigate. Covered in mud we hit the road with smiles on our faces and headed to the visitor centre cafe.

Time was getting the better of us now so a quick coffee and we headed back round the reservoir and back to the car. Three of us had a date with Tapas and Belgian beer back in Altrincham.

About 15 miles in total I think.