[Monolith]

I'm undertaking the annual RIBA charity ride again this year on Friday 21st July. The route is from our new National Architecture Centre, RIBA North in Liverpool to Sheffield and back. Any pub recommendations for the evening are appreciated!

https://www.strava.com/routes/7973390

[Nibile]

 
 

[Obi-Wan is lost...]

Unless you like a challenge I'd avoid the 'Dale' out of Hathersage past the Scotsman pack. Easier alternatives are main road past Surprise View/Fox House, or bear left after Millstone Pub and go past Burbage or nicer and quietest with a mostly steady climb is Jagger's lane and Coggers Lane past Plantation car park.

[Obi-Wan is lost...]

...and Mam Nick and Edale is nicer (quieter and not as steep) that Winnets and Castleton

[SA Chris]

"We do these things not because they are easy but because they are difficult"

[TobyD]

I'm undertaking the annual RIBA charity ride again this year on Friday 21st July. The route is from our new National Architecture Centre, RIBA North in Liverpool to Sheffield and back. Any pub recommendations for the evening are appreciated!

https://www.strava.com/routes/7973390

I don't know what the food is like at the Monsal Head is like, but it's got a bloody amazing view, and you can sit outside, also less likely to be midgy than the grit area pubs if you do sit out.

[Monolith]

Thanks guys. Currently trying to convince my elite riding colleague of these changes! Have a long hard fell race the weekend before and keen for non hilly shortcuts.

[Monolith]

Obi, Toby, do either of you have a GPX demonstrating a less severe way in to Sheffield? I'm up for the climbs really but aware some folk on the ride might find it a bit of a struggle 50 miles in.

[T_B]

Dunno if this is of use Tom, but it's a nice route into Sheffield from Castleton via Thornhill and under Bamford/Stanage
https://www.strava.com/activities/606003454

Or as someone else said, the easiest climb out of the Hope Valley is on the main Hathersage Rd out of Hathersage (dead obvs).

[sxrxg]

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/53.4040129,-2.9940862/53.4040417,-2.9475452/53.3993658,-2.8726592/53.3860089,-2.8393883/53.3842361,-2.6834145/53.3549025,-2.4756944/53.3225004,-2.159246/53.3189447,-2.003971/53.3312001,-1.6235275/53.3799089,-1.4690247/@53.3578731,-2.511757,10z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m47!4m46!1m0!1m0!1m0!1m5!3m4!1m2!1d-2.7526675!2d53.3891081!3s0x487b1db9baa80fd3:0x782a2c07e73085e6!1m10!3m4!1m2!1d-2.6469589!2d53.3847449!3s0x487b02eb117299d7:0xf6a49311fa88cc7a!3m4!1m2!1d-2.5284147!2d53.3701659!3s0x487b01d0c1d27599:0xa28a7a168782bfb2!1m20!3m4!1m2!1d-2.454867!2d53.3581114!3s0x487a55516da262bd:0xde9f3654cb17bd96!3m4!1m2!1d-2.2567222!2d53.3376735!3s0x487a5282dc125389:0xaeee78f6b7b71dd3!3m4!1m2!1d-2.2444168!2d53.3269262!3s0x487a4d7899b79d07:0xacf423fb17d8212f!3m4!1m2!1d-2.2188622!2d53.3252617!3s0x487a4da7374263c3:0x44106e4ee87d6650!1m0!1m0!1m0!1m0!3e1

Plotted that on Google Maps as was interested in what the best route out to the peak may be from Liverpool. Main difference from the Strava route posted is that I would head more direct to Wilmslow via Warrington reducing mileage. One problem with this route though is you would have to use the Wilmslow by pass under the Manchester Airport runway - this is a busy road. Finally I have picked the climb out of Hathersage passed Higgar not the route up to Stanage.

[Monolith]

Dunno if this is of use Tom, but it's a nice route into Sheffield from Castleton via Thornhill and under Bamford/Stanage
https://www.strava.com/activities/606003454

Or as someone else said, the easiest climb out of the Hope Valley is on the main Hathersage Rd out of Hathersage (dead obvs).

Thanks Tom, I've passed this on to the master route planner.

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/53.4040129,-2.9940862/53.4040417,-2.9475452/53.3993658,-2.8726592/53.3860089,-2.8393883/53.3842361,-2.6834145/53.3549025,-2.4756944/53.3225004,-2.159246/53.3189447,-2.003971/53.3312001,-1.6235275/53.3799089,-1.4690247/@53.3578731,-2.511757,10z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m47!4m46!1m0!1m0!1m0!1m5!3m4!1m2!1d-2.7526675!2d53.3891081!3s0x487b1db9baa80fd3:0x782a2c07e73085e6!1m10!3m4!1m2!1d-2.6469589!2d53.3847449!3s0x487b02eb117299d7:0xf6a49311fa88cc7a!3m4!1m2!1d-2.5284147!2d53.3701659!3s0x487b01d0c1d27599:0xa28a7a168782bfb2!1m20!3m4!1m2!1d-2.454867!2d53.3581114!3s0x487a55516da262bd:0xde9f3654cb17bd96!3m4!1m2!1d-2.2567222!2d53.3376735!3s0x487a5282dc125389:0xaeee78f6b7b71dd3!3m4!1m2!1d-2.2444168!2d53.3269262!3s0x487a4d7899b79d07:0xacf423fb17d8212f!3m4!1m2!1d-2.2188622!2d53.3252617!3s0x487a4da7374263c3:0x44106e4ee87d6650!1m0!1m0!1m0!1m0!3e1

Plotted that on Google Maps as was interested in what the best route out to the peak may be from Liverpool. Main difference from the Strava route posted is that I would head more direct to Wilmslow via Warrington reducing mileage. One problem with this route though is you would have to use the Wilmslow by pass under the Manchester Airport runway - this is a busy road. Finally I have picked the climb out of Hathersage passed Higgar not the route up to Stanage.

Sxrxg, are you Liverpool-based?

[steveri]

You could carry on to Knutsford and go through Mobberley (nodding to Mallory's birthplace) to avoid that airport underpass stretch? It's flat and pleasant so long as nobody in a posh car is tailgating

[TobyD]

Dunno if this is of use Tom, but it's a nice route into Sheffield from Castleton via Thornhill and under Bamford/Stanage
https://www.strava.com/activities/606003454

Or as someone else said, the easiest climb out of the Hope Valley is on the main Hathersage Rd out of Hathersage (dead obvs).

personally, i always feel like the route through Bamford to Ladybower is easier (less steep I guess), short stretch on the snake, and you can go down the quiet and beautiful high riggs road into sheffield

[Monolith]

Thanks again guys. Should have a few route options to post up soon..

[Obi-Wan is lost...]

Obi, Toby, do either of you have a GPX demonstrating a less severe way in to Sheffield? I'm up for the climbs really but aware some folk on the ride might find it a bit of a struggle 50 miles in.

You have to gain some height at some point between the Hope valley and Sheffield, there are various ways to do it, this is one of favorites;
https://www.strava.com/routes/9379274
It adds a few km extra but on much nicer and quieter roads than the main one. The 'New Road' climb up from Bamford is a steady 7% but on a nice quiet road bringing you out at High Neb parking.

[Monolith]

Tomorrow's the day. Prepared? Woefully underprepared! Weather looks pretty foul too 

[Obi-Wan is lost...]

Other than your Garmin dying how did it go?

[Monolith]

Overall really well thanks Toby. Day one was abysmal weather-wise and setting off from Albert Dock, there were rather large white horses in the Mersey. This was a bit of a theme for the day but it did ease up. We stopped for lunch in an amazing pub in Mobberley at around 40 miles. I eat a giant beanburger and chips which was to nearly be my undoing on the Brickworks climb where things had started to warm up. Poor meal choice! The descent via Winnats Pass was amazing.

Day two, my saddle area was pleading for me not to continue but I rode far better on this day coming home via Snake Pass. I felt really strong on the climbs and was first home by some time. I'd hardly any riding to my name over the past few weeks and it was nice to know that there's some sort of base fitness from running there. I'll almost certainly ride to Sheffield again as there are just so many nice open roads en route.