following in their tyre tracks, dodging axe
wielding maintenance workers in the
process of repairing the rutted trail around
Mam Tor. The maintenance theme
continued on Rushup Edge where the
muddy ruts had been transformed into a
smooth gravel track with waterbars.
wielding maintenance workers in the
process of repairing the rutted trail around
Mam Tor. The maintenance theme
continued on Rushup Edge where the
muddy ruts had been transformed into a
smooth gravel track with waterbars.
|
did Craig’s knee and there were no more punctures. We enjoyed the rocky descents without further
interruption. Almost. The rocky terrain was hard work, especially for Kev who was riding a race inspired
XC machine. Near the end of the last descent it all got too much and he crashed when his leg cramped
solid. Fortunately cramp was the only issue and he was otherwise unscathed.
interruption. Almost. The rocky terrain was hard work, especially for Kev who was riding a race inspired
XC machine. Near the end of the last descent it all got too much and he crashed when his leg cramped
solid. Fortunately cramp was the only issue and he was otherwise unscathed.
After a four month break due to the premature birth of my daughter Elisabeth it was great to be in Hayfield
getting ready to lead a Flattyres ride again. I’d decided to kick things off with a ‘Big’ ride so I could do my
Hayfield – Jacob’s Ladder route, one of my all time favourites.
Of the sixteen people who turned up I was happy to see nine new faces, even if it did mean I would have
my work cut out remembering all the names. Kev M was the first one I wouldn’t forget. Unable to get his
feet out of his pedals he fell off in the car park and caused a mini pile up.
getting ready to lead a Flattyres ride again. I’d decided to kick things off with a ‘Big’ ride so I could do my
Hayfield – Jacob’s Ladder route, one of my all time favourites.
Of the sixteen people who turned up I was happy to see nine new faces, even if it did mean I would have
my work cut out remembering all the names. Kev M was the first one I wouldn’t forget. Unable to get his
feet out of his pedals he fell off in the car park and caused a mini pile up.
| Mike and Neil completing the first third of the Edale Cross climb |
The ride started with a really nice feel. As we span
along in the cool morning air I caught up with those I
hadn’t seen for a while and got to know some of the
new riders. This lasted until the first climb where I
was quickly sweating and fighting for breath. The
climb to Edale Cross doesn’t ease you in gently. It
lets you know what you’re in for right from the start.
On the way up it was implied my photo stops were
merely an excuse for a rest. While I protested my
innocence I was secretly happy for the occasional
stop. I hadn’t ridden much in the eight weeks
following Elisabeth’s birth. My legs still weren’t back
up to full strength and they were being tested on the
long, technical climb.
along in the cool morning air I caught up with those I
hadn’t seen for a while and got to know some of the
new riders. This lasted until the first climb where I
was quickly sweating and fighting for breath. The
climb to Edale Cross doesn’t ease you in gently. It
lets you know what you’re in for right from the start.
On the way up it was implied my photo stops were
merely an excuse for a rest. While I protested my
innocence I was secretly happy for the occasional
stop. I hadn’t ridden much in the eight weeks
following Elisabeth’s birth. My legs still weren’t back
up to full strength and they were being tested on the
long, technical climb.
| The climb gets difficult |
Eventually the climb brought us to
the top of Jacob’s Ladder, a great
descent well worth all the effort.
Most of the group took it carefully
down the steep bouldery cobbles
at the top, except for Ray who
went thundering down on his
Nicolai. Although the gradient
soon flattened off the riding was
still tricky and there were a few
offs on the way down, including
me when I caught a rut while trying
the top of Jacob’s Ladder, a great
descent well worth all the effort.
Most of the group took it carefully
down the steep bouldery cobbles
at the top, except for Ray who
went thundering down on his
Nicolai. Although the gradient
soon flattened off the riding was
still tricky and there were a few
offs on the way down, including
me when I caught a rut while trying
After the main descent I was messing about
pulling bunny hops as we rode down the
valley, when there was a horrible bang and
metal grinding noise from my cranks, which
left both my feet at the bottom. I hadn’t
rechecked my crank bots since recently
building up my new frame. The group
looked on as I swore for a bit. I’ve been
very stressed for a few months and
occasionally it spills out. It looked a mess
and had jammed solid but
with a bit of bodging and
persuading, using lumps
of wood that were
with a bit of bodging and
persuading, using lumps
of wood that were
conveniently laying around, I made it all better.
Before the climb to Hollins Cross we had more fun
when I came up short on a head count. I rode back
to find the stragglers had suffered mechanical
issues of their own. Annoyingly, it was only after
fixing the brake problem they realised one of them
had a puncture as well. I’m not sure the puncture
fairy will ever get bored of that little trick.
The group split at Hollins Cross with some needing
to get back early. They knew the area so it wasn’t a
problem and it left the rest of us to complete the
ride at our own pace. It wasn’t long before we were
Before the climb to Hollins Cross we had more fun
when I came up short on a head count. I rode back
to find the stragglers had suffered mechanical
issues of their own. Annoyingly, it was only after
fixing the brake problem they realised one of them
had a puncture as well. I’m not sure the puncture
fairy will ever get bored of that little trick.
The group split at Hollins Cross with some needing
to get back early. They knew the area so it wasn’t a
problem and it left the rest of us to complete the
ride at our own pace. It wasn’t long before we were
It didn’t last for long and
we were soon riding
natural singletrack again,
dodging the bogs and
looking forward to the
next descent. The
anticipation lasted longer
than expected as we
waited for another
puncture to be repaired.
In their rush to catch back
up Craig lost his front end
and crashed onto some
we were soon riding
natural singletrack again,
dodging the bogs and
looking forward to the
next descent. The
anticipation lasted longer
than expected as we
waited for another
puncture to be repaired.
In their rush to catch back
up Craig lost his front end
and crashed onto some
big rocks. With blood dribbling out of his knee he
informed us of the instructions from his other half
not to crash. As this was his second off of the day it
could well have been a round of ‘Don’t you ever
listen to a word I say?’ when he got home.
informed us of the instructions from his other half
not to crash. As this was his second off of the day it
could well have been a round of ‘Don’t you ever
listen to a word I say?’ when he got home.
We returned to Hayfield
after four and a half hours
in the hills. For a ride of
just over seventeen
miles it punches well
above its weight. Some
were beaten and bruised
and our bikes had a few
more battle scars but we
all had big smiles. Like I
said, it’s one of my
favourite rides.
after four and a half hours
in the hills. For a ride of
just over seventeen
miles it punches well
above its weight. Some
were beaten and bruised
and our bikes had a few
more battle scars but we
all had big smiles. Like I
said, it’s one of my
favourite rides.
| Craig halfway up the climb to Edale Cross |
| Steve C arrives at Edale Cross |
| Kev M descending from Edale Cross |
| Ray blasting down Jacob's Ladder |
| Craig at the top of Jacob's Ladder |
| (clockwise from top) Paul, Steve and Mark on the rubble strewn bottom half of Jacob's Ladder |
Peter climbing to Hollins Cross
Group photo at Hollins Cross
| Craig climbing to the ridge of Rushup Edge |
| Mark riding the boggy track on the top of Rushup Edge |
| Lee descending the rocky trail off Rushup Edge |
| (right) John riding off one of the slabs on Rushup Edge |
(far left) Kev at the
top of the descent
in Roych Clough
top of the descent
in Roych Clough
(left) Top of the
descent into Roych
Clough. It's a better
descent than it
looks but the good
stuff is too much
fun to stop and take
pitcures.
descent into Roych
Clough. It's a better
descent than it
looks but the good
stuff is too much
fun to stop and take
pitcures.
| (right) Lee on the climb out of Roych Clough |
All our woes were forgotten on the fantastic trails of Rushup Edge,
Roych Clough and Coldwell Clough. My cranks stayed in one piece, as
Roych Clough and Coldwell Clough. My cranks stayed in one piece, as
| Colin riding the rocks at the start of the descent from South Head |
| Kev M and Gary on the rocky bends of the Coldwell Clough descent |
| Steve S on the South Head climb |
| Gary on the Coldwell Clough descent |
| Kev just before his cramp induced crash |
| Colin and Gary on the final descent |
| For details of how to buy a full size digital original of any of these photos, click here. Directions for this ride can be found in my route guides. |
| A 'Big' Ride by www.flattyresmtbroutes.com |
to find a good photo spot (Rider Leader’s Excuse No 3471).