Not a single picture taken during this work day! How remiss!
However, the lack of photographic evidence certainly does not detract from what we achieved. We started at Hartington and then used routes 548, 68 and 549 to complete a lovely loop through parts of the White Peak area and Dovedale. Although much of our circuit was on routes we have checked for quality and signage within the last 12 months, it was amazing just how much we found to deal with.
David (R), Catherine, David (S), myself and Brian Raine (our newest recruit) set off up the hill out of Hartington to join the start of NCR 548 (DCC are going to consider a new sign in Hartington directing riders towards 548). Brian was able to set a strong pace on his very fine looking electric bike, but was slowed down when we turned onto 548 itself. The quality of this track has deteriorated considerably due to the heavy rains, which have created some deep gullies and a lot of loose stone. I have reported the condition to both DCC (adopted highway) and Peak Rangers but not sure how highly either will prioritise it. We are also looking at the possibility of offering an alternative on-road alternative with Tom (I have requested signage from Alexa). The descent into Dale End is just as bad and caused bodily damage to one of our group!
The difficult start to the day required strong leadership and so we promptly adjourned to the delights of Biggin Hall for a very welcome coffee break. This sort of decadence is not part of our usual itinerary, but I think it could easily become so.
Refreshed by coffe and a cleaning of cycling wounds we raced on up to, and along NCR 68 to Parsley Hay. An obvious lack of signage here was clearly overlooked when we visited last year but Dave Watts (Peak Park ranger) has agreed to help make some provision to remedy the position.
Then onto Hurdlow where we reviewed the signage indicating alternative routes. This has become very faded and in need of replacement. I have subsequently requested new signage from Alexa using a form of words that will hopefully inform riders about why there are alternative routes at this point (rough track at end of High Peak Trail). A few additional signs at the end of the High Peak trail have hopefully clarified where route 68 goes to and we then returned to Hurdlow using the alternative, on-road section.
By now the effect of coffee was wearing out and lunch was well overdue. Some of the team had read the work day instructions carefully and bought sandwiches with them, as requested. I had to adjourn to the nearby Royal Oak for a rather expensive take-away which I was then able to enjoy with the others at a nearby picnic spot.
Suitably refreshed, if not somewhat chilled we cycled to the start of NCR549 and followed this lovely road all the way down to Pilsbury and then along side the river Dove in the valley bottom. It is such a delightful route back into Hartington.
Brian left us at this point but the rest of us retraced our earlier route back up the hill, but only as far as the turn off onto NCR 549, which we then followed down into Beresford Dale without incident. David and Catherine have previously reported repeated acts of sign vandalism in this area and so we were delighted to find that all of the signs they had replaced recently were still in tact. I have reported to Peak Park the possibility of confusion for walkers who follow cycling signs for Hartington at this point.
So, David and CAtherine split off at Hulme End to ride home, whilst David (S) and I cycled along the main (but quiet) road back into Hartinton and thereby end another very productive day. Thanks to all.
