He wasn’t the only one who was starting to fade but
with only the descent from the Pike left there wasn’
t long to hold out. The fast gravel off the top and
loose rocks near the bottom seemed to perk
everyone up. The thought of ice-cream in the car
park at the end had an even greater effect. We
were disappointed on our return as there wasn't an
ice-cream to be found but five minutes later an ice-
cream van pulled up and it was 99’s all round,
fantastic!
with only the descent from the Pike left there wasn’
t long to hold out. The fast gravel off the top and
loose rocks near the bottom seemed to perk
everyone up. The thought of ice-cream in the car
park at the end had an even greater effect. We
were disappointed on our return as there wasn't an
ice-cream to be found but five minutes later an ice-
cream van pulled up and it was 99’s all round,
fantastic!
| |||||||||
The weather report had predicted high temperatures and sun so we turned up at Hayfield in shorts and
slapped on the sunscreen. Eager to get going and having learned lessons from the previous months ride I
made sure our group of seven set off within minutes of the planned 10am start.
slapped on the sunscreen. Eager to get going and having learned lessons from the previous months ride I
made sure our group of seven set off within minutes of the planned 10am start.
| Leaving Hayfield under blue skies |
| Sabine and Nick on the hard start to the first climb |
| Sally and Ian working hard on the climb from Hayfield |
We left Hayfield for the first climb, a loose and rocky track that soon had us
sweating. The air was still and gaining height was hot, sticky work. As a reward
we found the gritstone trail across the top of Middle Moor was in perfect
condition. Threading our way through the rocks we headed for the first descent.
sweating. The air was still and gaining height was hot, sticky work. As a reward
we found the gritstone trail across the top of Middle Moor was in perfect
condition. Threading our way through the rocks we headed for the first descent.
The ruts and loose rocks required some thought and this could be seen on the concentrated faces that
flashed past as I took photos. It’s a great descent but I didn’t get to share the buzz at the bottom. That had
long since gone by the time I rejoined everyone after fixing a pinch flat. At least the flat had had the
decency to coincided with the stop for photos.
flashed past as I took photos. It’s a great descent but I didn’t get to share the buzz at the bottom. That had
long since gone by the time I rejoined everyone after fixing a pinch flat. At least the flat had had the
decency to coincided with the stop for photos.
| Sally, Nick and Ian on the perfect trails across Middle Moor |
| Paul descending stone steps before a stream crossing on Middle Moor |
| Nick on the fantastic descent to Hollingworth Clough |
| Ches on the Hollingworth Clough descent |
| Paul near the top of Cown Edge |
| Sally on the fast gravel descent from Cown Edge |
Another sweaty climb, up the main
road, brought us to some quiet
lanes at the top and a cooling cruise
road, brought us to some quiet
lanes at the top and a cooling cruise
before the final part of the ascent, over dusty rocks, to the ridgeline of Cown Edge. The break at the top
wasn’t accompanied by the usual views as heat haze reduced everything to vague shapes. It was a small
price to pay for being in short sleeves in April.
Spitting gravel from our tyres we flew down from the ridge towards the green fields and limestone above
the Goyt Valley. We’d left the big hills behind and had a chance to chat as we rode, talking bikes and rock
climbing and commenting on things we passed, especially the butt ugly sheep. They must taste great or
have a pleasant personality because just looking at them could make a child cry at twenty paces.
wasn’t accompanied by the usual views as heat haze reduced everything to vague shapes. It was a small
price to pay for being in short sleeves in April.
Spitting gravel from our tyres we flew down from the ridge towards the green fields and limestone above
the Goyt Valley. We’d left the big hills behind and had a chance to chat as we rode, talking bikes and rock
climbing and commenting on things we passed, especially the butt ugly sheep. They must taste great or
have a pleasant personality because just looking at them could make a child cry at twenty paces.
| Ian climbing from Smooth Lea farm |
| Nick, climb after Mellor Hall |
| 5 ride out from Hilltop Farm |
The trails eventually
swung back in the
direction of Hayfield,
signalling a return to
the gritstone and loose
rocks. While Ches and
me were talking on a
descent his rear wheel
was suddenly thrown
sideways. Thankfully,
he managed to keep
things upright and made
it to the bottom with a
new story to tell instead
of injuries to show off.
swung back in the
direction of Hayfield,
signalling a return to
the gritstone and loose
rocks. While Ches and
me were talking on a
descent his rear wheel
was suddenly thrown
sideways. Thankfully,
he managed to keep
things upright and made
it to the bottom with a
new story to tell instead
of injuries to show off.
| Sabine, Sally and Ian, descent from Mellor Moor |
| Sabine near Blake Hall |
The next climb, from Aspenshaw Hall, was a
humbling experience for me. Encouraged
through a tricky section by some walkers I
then put a foot down in full view on the
easy bit that followed. Whipping my
camera out I went for the ‘it was a planned
photo stop’ option, but it didn’t fool
anyone. Sabine then came along and
showed me how it should be done.
We lazed in the sun for a while at the top,
regaining our energy for the fantastic
descent that was to follow. With slabs and
rocks that grow in size on the way down it’s
always challenging fun. Definitely a
humbling experience for me. Encouraged
through a tricky section by some walkers I
then put a foot down in full view on the
easy bit that followed. Whipping my
camera out I went for the ‘it was a planned
photo stop’ option, but it didn’t fool
anyone. Sabine then came along and
showed me how it should be done.
We lazed in the sun for a while at the top,
regaining our energy for the fantastic
descent that was to follow. With slabs and
rocks that grow in size on the way down it’s
always challenging fun. Definitely a
Paul (left) and Sabine (above) on the
climb from Aspenshaw Hall. It was
really tricky, honest!
climb from Aspenshaw Hall. It was
really tricky, honest!
descent that requires a stop at the bottom to talk like fishermen. ‘I had a sketchy moment that was this big
(holds arms wide)....... That’s nothing mine was even bigger……etc’
(holds arms wide)....... That’s nothing mine was even bigger……etc’
The Pennine BW, that
would return us to
Hayfield, soon came into
view. Here too the
temperatures were
having an effect. In all
the years I have ridden
through the field leading
to Lantern Pike it was the
first time I found the hoof
churned mud by the gate
to be completely dry. It
was also the first time
I’ve seen PaulB almost
vomit at the top of the
steep climb that followed.
| Ches and Ian on the descent to Laneside Farm |
| Sally in Rowarth |
(below) Ian, Ches and Nick at the ford after Rowarth
| Nick on the Pennine BW across Matleymoor |
| (right) Sabine climbing through the field to Lantern Pike |
| (very right) Sally, Nick and Ches descending off Lantern Pike |
| (right) Ian on the final rocky descent on the return to Hayfield |
