Peak District ride

Teds21

Hi all, apologies if this is this in the wrong section, or if there's similar posts already (I did try the search box!), can anyone suggest or recommend a good loop in the Peak District, starting from somewhere readily accessible from Manchester? I'm in the process of training for the Fred Whitton so need to take in as many climbs as possible, the more challenging the better, around 70 miles should suffice. Thanks.

homers_double

I did this last summer starting in Littleborough

154.3 km

https://www.strava.com/activities/195892759

Teds21

Spot on, much appreciated.

domc21

park up at langsett, then head for holmefirth, over holme moss down then to glossop, over snake pass. Then down to lady bower turn right to Hope. Then do a loop round the edail valley over mam torr then back down winnatts to castleton back to lady bower when you get to hope then back up the a57 towards sheffield. turn left at the top and go over the strines and back to langsett.... It would be about 70 miles but there would be plenty of climbing.

pilot_pete

Drive down to Congleton and park up in Mossley. Take Reade's Lane east into the hills. Nice undulating road towards Rushton Spencer. Head straight over the A523 junction at the end, up a steep little climb on head towards Gun Hill. Down into Meerbrook, sharp left at the pub and climb up around the back of the Roaches, via Roach End.

At the A53 turn left then right towards Longnor. Straight through still heading East to the lovely little climb of Crowdecote, it's like a mini Alp! Head on towards Monyash, nice little cafe there, but probably a bit early for that...

Follow the B5055 into Bakewell and enjoy a snack in the showground cafe. On the way back head through Sheldon, Chelmorton and Brierlow Bar B5053 to Glutton Bridge and then take a right up a very picturesque gorge to Axe Edge. Cross the A53 on the minor road over Axe Edge and turn left onto the A54.

You can now follow the A54 all the way back to Congleton, with some fantastic fast descents and a couple of sharp climbs back up towards the radio/ telecoms tower, followed by a very fast descent towards Bosley Crossroads. Take a left in the dip just before Bosley Resevoir, which is easily missed at 50mph! If you do miss it don't worry just go to the crossroads and turn left onto the A53.

On the A53 take first road on the right (straight across the junction if you took the left before Bosley Reservoir) and head towards and through the wood treatment works and over the bridge. Another tasty little climb around The Cloud and on to Timbersbrook. Follow the road through Timbersbrook until you come to the Coach and Horses PH on your right. Turn right at that junction and you will descend back into Mossley on what was your first climb of the day.

Some fantastic scenery on that route, especially on a sunny day. Lots of climbing and some great descending too, would be about 70 miles and you will know you have done it when you finish! Probably one of my favourite rides around here.

Enjoy

PP

ugo.santalucia

If you are based in Machester, you don't need to drive.
Stockport, Marple, Chisworth, GLossop, Snake Pass, Ladybower, down to Bamford, Hope, then Edale and Mam Tor or Castleton and Winnats pass, then down to Chapel, Whaley Bridge, up the hill and down to Disley and back towards Strockport and Manchester... 70 miles maybe?

Teds21

Thanks guys, really appreciate your responses.

sniper68

Follow the route of the High Peak Hog Sportive from Glossop.
82.6 miles(133km) with 7580ft(2310m) of climbing.
Two ‘Category 2’ climbs – Snake Pass and Holme Moss
• Three ‘Category 3’ and five ‘Category 4’ climbs
http://www.bikemap.net/en/route/1906348 ... whole-hog/

RobinB2

If it's hills in the Peak district you're after, I did a sportive last summer starting in Bradwell:

http://bradwellhillbilly.co.uk/route.html

If you were feeling really keen, you could also ride over from Manchester to the start in the Hope valley

IanRCarter

Peak District Audaxes: http://www.delphcyclist.info/permanent.html#pop
Plenty of routes there, calendar events are on Wednesdays, or they are all available as Perms. Just copy/modify the routes if you're not into Audaxes. They all start from Marple. Done a couple of rides in the Peak District myself, Snake Pass is a good, long, consistent climb although it isn't the quietest road. The Edale loop is nice and quiet with Mam Tor at the end or avoiding that, Winnats Pass is a tougher test out of Castleton.