flattyres mtb routes
This month the Shop Ride was to start from Hayfield, just on the edge of the Peak District. The journey was
good in the way that the Sunday morning roads saw us arrive early, it only took just over an hour from
Chester instead of the expected 1hr 20min, but bad as we had just driven from clear skies towards dark
clouds and into the rain. Fortunately the rain had passed by the time we arrived so we stayed dry while
getting ready for the 10am start. There was a problem with the locals while we were there. The bird that
perched a few feet away from Steve looked like trouble so was given strict instructions not to crap on his
car. It just turned to look at him with disdain before leaving a large white mess and flying off. With the
damage done there was no point hanging about, so we set off on the ride.
good in the way that the Sunday morning roads saw us arrive early, it only took just over an hour from
Chester instead of the expected 1hr 20min, but bad as we had just driven from clear skies towards dark
clouds and into the rain. Fortunately the rain had passed by the time we arrived so we stayed dry while
getting ready for the 10am start. There was a problem with the locals while we were there. The bird that
perched a few feet away from Steve looked like trouble so was given strict instructions not to crap on his
car. It just turned to look at him with disdain before leaving a large white mess and flying off. With the
damage done there was no point hanging about, so we set off on the ride.
Neil, Steve, Jim and Maca starting the Laneside Farm descent
Although a bit wet on the ground there was lots of grip to be found and it
seemed to be draining well. After my normal climb at the start, to get
everyone warmed up, we were rode probably the best descent of the route,
down to Laneside Farm. It consists of two steep rocky sections, top and
seemed to be draining well. After my normal climb at the start, to get
everyone warmed up, we were rode probably the best descent of the route,
down to Laneside Farm. It consists of two steep rocky sections, top and
bottom, with a flatter section in the
middle to get some speed on. This is a
trail we have to go back and do again
though, as we had to negotiate a horse
and some 'crossers on the way down.
After a brief rest by the Little Mill Inn, to
repair one of the few punctures of the
day, we rode down into the Goyt Valley.
The route went via Rowarth and Cown
Edge Rocks on a mixture of great rocky
trails and back lanes. After Mellor we
rode through the golf course for one of
the other highlights, another loose
middle to get some speed on. This is a
trail we have to go back and do again
though, as we had to negotiate a horse
and some 'crossers on the way down.
After a brief rest by the Little Mill Inn, to
repair one of the few punctures of the
day, we rode down into the Goyt Valley.
The route went via Rowarth and Cown
Edge Rocks on a mixture of great rocky
trails and back lanes. After Mellor we
rode through the golf course for one of
the other highlights, another loose
| Paul on the Laneside Farm descent |
| Not having a rear Crud Catcher I wasn't going through that |
| Neil, Shane, Jim and Steve riding into Rowarth |
| Shane, Dave (almost taking out the photographer) and Steve ride through the ford after Rowarth |
| Mike and Jim riding through the ford |
| Me descending from Cown Edge |
rocky descent that came out by the River
Goyt. This time I managed to get down
first, in time to inform the horse rider and
'crosser there were eight more riders
coming down. They were both happy to
wait so everyone got a clear run. A short
ride brought us to the railway bridge over
the Goyt and a good spot for some food
before the long climb back over to
Hayfield. Before long it was time to saddle
up and start the climb. A combination of
smooth trails, broken tarmac, a little push
and a wide gritstone trail saw us gain back
most of the height we had lost in the
previous two thirds of the ride.
Goyt. This time I managed to get down
first, in time to inform the horse rider and
'crosser there were eight more riders
coming down. They were both happy to
wait so everyone got a clear run. A short
ride brought us to the railway bridge over
the Goyt and a good spot for some food
before the long climb back over to
Hayfield. Before long it was time to saddle
up and start the climb. A combination of
smooth trails, broken tarmac, a little push
and a wide gritstone trail saw us gain back
most of the height we had lost in the
previous two thirds of the ride.
Mike, and Dave (left) and Shane
(above) on the climb to Smooth Lea
farm
(above) on the climb to Smooth Lea
farm
| Shane, Dave, Mike, Steve and Maca getting wetter near the junction at Smooth Lea farm |
| The long climb from the Goyt Valley, first up through the golf course, then up the broken tarmac and on to the climb to the cross |
Understandably we had
a bit of a rest before
the final miles back to
Hayfield. Not a bad
place to do it either as
there was a great view
and with the clear
atmosphere we could
just about see the
outline of the Clwyds in
the distance. There
were some happier
faces when I mentioned
that of the 4.5miles to
go only just over half a
a bit of a rest before
the final miles back to
Hayfield. Not a bad
place to do it either as
there was a great view
and with the clear
atmosphere we could
just about see the
outline of the Clwyds in
the distance. There
were some happier
faces when I mentioned
that of the 4.5miles to
go only just over half a
| (clockwise from above left) Dave, Paul, Neil, Jim and Maca crest the top of the long climb from the Goyt Valley |
mile was up hill. We then set off
for the gravity assisted riding that
would take us back to Hayfield.
Jim was especially glad of this as
he had to pour an energy gel
down his neck at the top of the
last climb.
About 3.5hrs after we set off we
returned to the car park. I was
happy to be told that everyone
had really enjoyed the ride so it's
definitely somewhere we will
for the gravity assisted riding that
would take us back to Hayfield.
Jim was especially glad of this as
he had to pour an energy gel
down his neck at the top of the
last climb.
About 3.5hrs after we set off we
returned to the car park. I was
happy to be told that everyone
had really enjoyed the ride so it's
definitely somewhere we will
return to. Jim did his own little celebration dance on making it back
as the energy gel finally kicked in and he ran round like a mentalist
for a bit. We counted ourselves lucky to have received no fines that
day as Steve had just done the ride with his car park ticket in his
pocket, oops. While laughing at how stupid that was I found that my
ticket had blown off my dash and had been sitting on the tarmac next
to my car the whole day, doh! Thank for all those who turned up and
made it such a great ride and thanks to Jim for supplying some of
these photos.
as the energy gel finally kicked in and he ran round like a mentalist
for a bit. We counted ourselves lucky to have received no fines that
day as Steve had just done the ride with his car park ticket in his
pocket, oops. While laughing at how stupid that was I found that my
ticket had blown off my dash and had been sitting on the tarmac next
to my car the whole day, doh! Thank for all those who turned up and
made it such a great ride and thanks to Jim for supplying some of
these photos.
Dave split seconds before a 'moment'
thankfully he stayed upright
thankfully he stayed upright
| Shane and Jim following Dave down the descent take the easier line |
Dave and Neil
(left) on the final
climb of the day
(left) on the final
climb of the day
| www.flattyresmtbroutes.com |
| Directions for this route can be found in my route guides. |