Tom and Sabine stayed on to look after me. We didn’t have to wait long as the emergency services were
soon on the scene. The speed of response was fantastic but the level of response was something else. I
didn’t expect a helicopter, an ambulance, Edale Mountain Rescue, oh, and a camera man from ITV.
Anyway, the long story is on another page. The short story is that I received a night in hospital and 18
stitches along with a 2-4 week riding ban, which was a great relief! It could have been so much worse.
The directions for this ride can be found in my route guides
soon on the scene. The speed of response was fantastic but the level of response was something else. I
didn’t expect a helicopter, an ambulance, Edale Mountain Rescue, oh, and a camera man from ITV.
Anyway, the long story is on another page. The short story is that I received a night in hospital and 18
stitches along with a 2-4 week riding ban, which was a great relief! It could have been so much worse.
The directions for this ride can be found in my route guides
| |||||||||
We turned up at the Upper Derwent Visitors
Centre happy that it was to be a day of blue
skies and sunshine. Although the car park
was busy we eventually found each other
and, after a bit of fettling, were ready to
ride at 10.20am. With a gentle ride around
the edge of the Ladybower reservoir we
had a nice, easy start. It still didn’t make
the steep climb to Crookhill Farm any
easier. At the farm the collies just wanted
to play rather than nip our ankles, which
was nice. They wouldn’t listen to their
owner and came running along with the
Centre happy that it was to be a day of blue
skies and sunshine. Although the car park
was busy we eventually found each other
and, after a bit of fettling, were ready to
ride at 10.20am. With a gentle ride around
the edge of the Ladybower reservoir we
had a nice, easy start. It still didn’t make
the steep climb to Crookhill Farm any
easier. At the farm the collies just wanted
to play rather than nip our ankles, which
was nice. They wouldn’t listen to their
owner and came running along with the
| Cheryl, Anne, Emma and Ed riding along the edge of Ladybower |
| Starting the steep climb to Crookhill Farm |
bikes. Much to the relief to the farmers wife we managed to hold them at the
next gate.
next gate.
The climb continued through grassy fields
to the top of Crook Hill. Those who had
pads put them on before a fun little
traverse brought us to the top of the Hagg
farm descent. It was the first of the four
feature descents on this route and with
loose, rocky corners it was always great
fun. I went first to hold open the only gate
on the way down. As everyone came past,
picking lines through the boulders, I
noticed some big grins and a lot of
concentration. At the bottom we had a
food break while, as expected, a puncture
was fixed.
to the top of Crook Hill. Those who had
pads put them on before a fun little
traverse brought us to the top of the Hagg
farm descent. It was the first of the four
feature descents on this route and with
loose, rocky corners it was always great
fun. I went first to hold open the only gate
on the way down. As everyone came past,
picking lines through the boulders, I
noticed some big grins and a lot of
concentration. At the bottom we had a
food break while, as expected, a puncture
was fixed.
(below) Ed and Luke climbing Crook Hill
| (right) Cheryl, Sabine, Luke and Ed near the top of the climb |
| Tom and Emma, Hagg Side traverse |
| Brain descending past Hagg Side Woods |
| (right) Harri and Charlie tackling the rocky Hagg Farm descent |
| Kristofor and Luke on the Hagg Farm descent |
| Woodlands Valley climb |
| Climbing to Wooler Knoll |
After crossing the A57 there was some disappointment that the next rocky
section had been regraded. I really hope it doesn’t get extended. The plan was
to keep going and stop at the top of Wooler Knoll. We hadn’t even made it to
the bottom of the climb when Cheryl’s tyre exploded. It had also suffered on
the Hagg Farm descent but the slice in the sidewall had taken a little time to let
go. Fortunately I always carry some toothpaste tube for just such an occasion
and the tyre was soon patched up enough to complete the ride.
Following a long hot climb to Wooler Knoll we enjoyed a cooling breeze on the
descent towards Hope. While taking photos I shouted for everyone to wait at
the next gate, which they did. What I didn’t say was don’t go through the gate
and face the wrong way. When I arrived and turned left to ride in the opposite
direction I got a few curious stares before everyone got the idea and followed
me. We rode to the second of the good descents and thankfully met the group
of horses riders at the top, rather than halfway down. As it was we got to enjoy
the whole thing without any interruptions.
section had been regraded. I really hope it doesn’t get extended. The plan was
to keep going and stop at the top of Wooler Knoll. We hadn’t even made it to
the bottom of the climb when Cheryl’s tyre exploded. It had also suffered on
the Hagg Farm descent but the slice in the sidewall had taken a little time to let
go. Fortunately I always carry some toothpaste tube for just such an occasion
and the tyre was soon patched up enough to complete the ride.
Following a long hot climb to Wooler Knoll we enjoyed a cooling breeze on the
descent towards Hope. While taking photos I shouted for everyone to wait at
the next gate, which they did. What I didn’t say was don’t go through the gate
and face the wrong way. When I arrived and turned left to ride in the opposite
direction I got a few curious stares before everyone got the idea and followed
me. We rode to the second of the good descents and thankfully met the group
of horses riders at the top, rather than halfway down. As it was we got to enjoy
the whole thing without any interruptions.
| Ed at Wooler Knoll |
| Sabine and Charlie on the fast and rutted descent from Wooler Knoll |
| (above) Ed and Harri (below) Matt, Luke, Huw and Emma on the Hope descent |
While riding through Edale valley our food break was again dictated by a puncture. This time it was down to
a Specialized tube that the valve had come off. Charlie's replacement, another Specialized tube, didn’t last
much longer. The valve blew off this one just after being inflated.
a Specialized tube that the valve had come off. Charlie's replacement, another Specialized tube, didn’t last
much longer. The valve blew off this one just after being inflated.
Once it was fixed with
another tube we baked on
the climb out of Edale
valley. By riding in the
direction of the breeze we
weren’t benefiting from it’s
cooling effect. Because of
this heat there was no
shame for those who
another tube we baked on
the climb out of Edale
valley. By riding in the
direction of the breeze we
weren’t benefiting from it’s
cooling effect. Because of
this heat there was no
shame for those who
chose to walk up the following difficult
climb out of Jaggers Clough. Eventually,
we made it to the top of the Blackley Hey
descent, the most boulder strewn of the
ride. Even full suspension didn’t save us
climb out of Jaggers Clough. Eventually,
we made it to the top of the Blackley Hey
descent, the most boulder strewn of the
ride. Even full suspension didn’t save us
(left to right) Cheryl, Anne, Tom and
Matt on the Clough Farm climb
Matt on the Clough Farm climb
(below) Charlie, Luke and Huw
on the Jaggers Clough climb
on the Jaggers Clough climb
Harri at Blackley Clough
from being bounced
around on the way down.
Some bounced more
than others but Ed's pads
saved him from injurey.
The same can’t be said of
my radio. After noticing it
was missing from the
straps of my back pack I
walked back up to find it
laying at the bottom of
the biggest rock garden.
It still worked (hooray)
but the clip was bust
(boo).
around on the way down.
Some bounced more
than others but Ed's pads
saved him from injurey.
The same can’t be said of
my radio. After noticing it
was missing from the
straps of my back pack I
walked back up to find it
laying at the bottom of
the biggest rock garden.
It still worked (hooray)
but the clip was bust
(boo).
(left & above)
Charlie and Brian
(below) Kristofor,
Harri and Huw
descending
Blackley Hey
Charlie and Brian
(below) Kristofor,
Harri and Huw
descending
Blackley Hey
| (above) Anne, Kristofor and Harri (right) Ed descending Blackley Hey |
| (below) Harri, Luke & Cheryl on the Rowlee Farm climb |
On the last climb of the day there were
some nasty things said about me. People
were getting tired, it was still hot and we
were climbing in the direction of the breeze
again. It was all in good humour though
some nasty things said about me. People
were getting tired, it was still hot and we
were climbing in the direction of the breeze
again. It was all in good humour though
and before long we made it to the top. After a rest we were all ready for a final
blast down through Nabs Wood. It’s an excellent way to finish a ride, fast and
blast down through Nabs Wood. It’s an excellent way to finish a ride, fast and
flowing with some great rock
sections. I went first to get a good
photo spot. The trail was clear,
there was lots of grip and I was
having a great time. That was until
it all went very wrong. It was only a
small accident. I changed line for
some riders pushing up the trail
when a rock moved under my front
wheel. I was thrown forwards and
my rear wheel left the ground. This
gave me two choices, faceplant
into pointy rocks or bail to the side
sections. I went first to get a good
photo spot. The trail was clear,
there was lots of grip and I was
having a great time. That was until
it all went very wrong. It was only a
small accident. I changed line for
some riders pushing up the trail
when a rock moved under my front
wheel. I was thrown forwards and
my rear wheel left the ground. This
gave me two choices, faceplant
into pointy rocks or bail to the side
| Brian leading on the Lockerbrooke Farm climb & Emma near the top |
for a soft landing on a grassy bank. No contest, the grassy bank won.
I’d scrubbed off most of my speed and can’t have been doing more
than 5mph when I hit. Unfortunately my knee landed on top of a bolt on
my bars. The result was a whole lot worse than the small cut and some
bruising I was expecting. I won’t go into gory detail here but if you
want to see what happened (click here).
When the group caught up we dealt with my injury and got down the
last 200m of trail to wait for help to arrive. Everyone in the group was
great and they reacted to the situation fantastically. At the road it was
simply a case of turn right and return to the car park, so I didn’t ruin the
ride. Most of the group went home after wishing me well while Brain,
I’d scrubbed off most of my speed and can’t have been doing more
than 5mph when I hit. Unfortunately my knee landed on top of a bolt on
my bars. The result was a whole lot worse than the small cut and some
bruising I was expecting. I won’t go into gory detail here but if you
want to see what happened (click here).
When the group caught up we dealt with my injury and got down the
last 200m of trail to wait for help to arrive. Everyone in the group was
great and they reacted to the situation fantastically. At the road it was
simply a case of turn right and return to the car park, so I didn’t ruin the
ride. Most of the group went home after wishing me well while Brain,
| Anne, Ed & Brian to the rescue |
| A Oneplanet Adventure Shop Ride by www.flattyresmtbroutes.com |
