Cyclists with families might be up for this... If you've enjoyed access to Chee Dale via the newly opened tunnels and wanted to ride past more crags, like the Cornice WCJ and Rubicon, High Tor, Wild Cat, Willersley, Black Rocks, Harpur Hill Quarry (OK, it might not go
past the Matlock crags but it does go close) and your kids can cycle about 25 miles a day (it's pretty flat apart from Middleton Incline and Earl Sterndale) then it'll be a fun weekend. It's in aid of the charity Peak Cycle Links (
www.peakcyclelinks.org.uk) who are behind the whole loop, which has got to be a good thing. Here's the press release.
Be the first to ride the White Peak Loop
Cyclists and families across the country are being invited to the Peak District on August 20-21 to be the first to ride the entire route of the White Peak Loop.
The White Peak Loop is a family-friendly 60 mile route linking the towns of Buxton and Matlock largely along the route of disused railway lines providing a mainly flat but spectacular ride through some of the Peak District's most gorgeous scenery. The route has been developed by the founder of Sustrans, John Grimshaw CBE, and will be the most popular traffic-free trail in the country once completed. Peak Cycle Links is the charity set up to see the Loop through to completion.
Starting in Buxton at 10am on Saturday 20th August the guided ride will head off into the Peak District along the Monsal Trail, cycling through the well-lit tunnels that have proved so popular since they were officially opened in May this year. The route heads to Hassop for a lunch stop at the bookshop and restaurant, before continuing to Bakewell where the trail currently stops. From Bakewell the ride goes via Coombes Farm to Rowsley. The route avoids the A6 all the way to Matlock going alongside the Peak Rail line and the delightful gated road to Oker. There will be an overnight stop at Matlock Rugby Ground with tents and all personal equipment transported by van so the riders will be unhindered by luggage.
The next day will start with a complimentary breakfast and then the only really testing climb on the whole route – the incline up to Middleton Top. Now you're on the High Peak plateau and it's plain sailing along the High Peak Trail towards the quintessential Peak District village of Earl Sterndale. A final short ascent up to Staker Hill affords a magnificent view of Buxton, and a giddy whizz down to the old Cromford and Matlock railway line, over the Turncliffe embankment and back to the starting point.
Join us on 20/21 August and be the first to ride this amazing route. There will be full backup from David Gray and Chain Events with luggage and tents transported and campsite and breakfast supplied. He will even provide some deserving cases with a lift up the only two hills on the route at the Middleton Top inclines after Cromford and the hill up from Earl Sterndale to Staker Hill above Buxton.
This amazing ride costs only £40 per person or £75 per family, including luggage transport, camping accommodation, Sunday morning breakfast and full back-up.
Sign up for this trail-blazing ride at
www.chain-events.co.uk For more details contact:
David Gray (Chain Events): david@chain-events.co.uk
