No pictures from our October work day I am afraid!
Although there were only 3 of us out on the ride (David C, Naomi and myself), once we got going, and the last of the heavy showers had passed, we had a really lovely ride of just over 42kms.
As suggested by Peter, David and I rendezvoused at the Blue Lagoon cafe close to the National Stone Centre in Wirksworth. We didn't partake of coffee but from what I saw it really looked like a place that I would like to go back to and try out properly. Whilst we were there Naomi texted to say she was waiting up at Middleton Top car park and so David & I pedalled our way (very) slowly up the incline to meet her. It was definitely a bit unfair to start off at the bottom of that hill!
We met with problems paying for Naomi's car parking and so she had to get back into the car and rendezvous with us some time later at the Minninglow car park. On a real autumnal, blowy day staff at the visitor centre and cafe at Middleton Top had obviously decided there was no point opening as it was all closed up and looking as though it would not reopen until the spring. A sobering thought.
David and I set off along Rte 54, the High Peak trail, with very few other users around. Although the skies were brightening and the sun making increasingly regular appearances the wind was definitely a significant factor working against us. It was truly invigorating to be out on our bikes.
At Minninglow we were reunited with Naomi as we left Rte54 and headed over to Biggin on Rte548. Those of you who can recall this section it very soon becomes a limestone gravel track that is quite loose in places. I think it is probably as easy going up as it is coming down. It is certainly a pull to the top, where it starts to level off. Beyond the limestone track the surface deteriorates in these wet conditions. A top dressing has been put onto the track but it hasn't bedded down well at all. The track is now full of deep holes that were full of puddle water after a couple of days of recent heavy rain. The surface itself is quite squidgy as well and so, with a combination of the two factors, the going remained quite tough. In these conditions at least it is not really a section of National Network that you would really recommend to anyone for its enjoyment factor!
Eventually we got to the junction where another track leads back down to Rte 54, whilst we carried straight on towards the A515 and Biggin beyond it. This section has been a pot-holed nightmare for many years but seems to have been improved significantly quite recently. Don't know who has done it but they have made a good job of it and we flew down the hill to cross the main road. Just before entering Biggin we veered off the road and up to Rte 68, the Tissington trail.
I think we have all experienced the wonderful feeling of cycling downhill along the Tissington trail. With the wind behind us we went even faster than normal. It was noticeable that the section of track just before Alsopp en le dale has become quite badly damaged by water flows. I haven't seen this here before and am wondering what was different to suddenly cause such a significant impact. I will talk to Peak Park rangers about it to see if anything can be done; if not to improve, then at least to ensure it doesn't deteriorate further.
We reached Tissington station car park just in time for lunch.
After lunch our route took us along Rte547 to the ford, then Bradbourne and then alongside the edge of Carsington reservoir. Sun was shining brightly and we were flying along. The final stage of our day was from Hopton, back up to the High Peak trail at Hopton Bottom. Here we parted company with Naomi who had a bit further to go to recover her car, whilst we took a right hand turn and within 10 minutes we were back at the Blue Lagoon.
A lovely ride with just one single adhesive sign replaced!
