Derbyshire 4/5 days cycling for seniors

[gbs]

My younger brother and I (aged 70 and 84 respectively) are contemplating a few days walking or cycling in April. Derbyshire is substantially unknown to me and so I would welcome the most basic of suggestions as to where to base ourselves, day rides destinations/routes. Some relevant factors: I will travel by train from London, he will bring his car; I normally limit myself to 75kms and 750m of vertical gain each day; if we do ride he will use an ebike; we are both foodies (not in extremis) and he has a professional interest in beer

 

[mjr]

Not sure where best to base yourself, but I'd be looking to ride the Tissington, Monsal, High Peak and Cloud trails. One of those is a bit steep, though. The one near Cromford.

 

[albion]

As above. Hartington / Hartington Hall is a good base, it central to many of those easy trails.
Carsington water is close too it also having an easy traffic free trail.

 

[Sharky]

Castleton and a visit to the Blue John mines.

 

[albion]

Castleton is handy by train but hilly and not so good for trails.
By train, it is likely cheaper to buy a Sheffield and then an Edale/Hope/Castleton ticket.
Hartington can be reached from above, Chesterfield or Buxton stations, Buxton being the only flat route.
If there is space for 2 bikes in the car, Ashbourne might be a good base too. Buxton is very touristy and a good base.

 

[DCLane]

Monsal Trail is nice, with a cafe part way along: https://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/visiting/places-to-visit/trails/monsaltrail

The only challenge is it's difficult to get to/from that without some serious climbing.

 

[T4tomo]

https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/best-cycleway-in-england-for-part-of-a-tour.271330/post-6427792
basic details from a weekend out of Ashbourne

plus a note I added referring to one of the routes linked another Tissington thread.

I actually wouldn't bother going round the back of Carsington, we found there were too many walkers and blind corners so a bit of a stop-go faff. If doing again, I would pick up the back road after lunching at the excellent Milners arms, and either pick up the cycle path around nearside of Carsington or the B5035 up to Brackendale Lane

 

[mjr]

Monsal Trail is nice, with a cafe part way along: https://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/visiting/places-to-visit/trails/monsaltrail

The only challenge is it's difficult to get to/from that without some serious climbing.

Isn't there a train station in Matlock and then fairly level access?

 

[roubaixtuesday]

The Tissington Trail and Monsal Trail are both brilliant for easy cycling. If you start the Tissington Trail in Ashbourne, it's uphill very gradually all the way up, then you can easily roll back.

The Monsal Trail is more spectacular and highly recommended, the only problem is that at the Buxton end it stops on a very busy A6, with no way out other than big Hills. So out and back from Bakewell would work well.

Obviously either trail and be supplemented with small lanes alternatives to make circuits; they will all be very hilly though. It's pretty much impossible to cycle on nice roads in the peak without it being a challenging amount of climbing.

Walking, I specifically wouldn't recommend Castleton mentioned above; whilst lovely it is horrendously busy all the time now, and Mam Tor even more so. Alternative suggestions:

- Chee Dale (down by the river alongside the Monsal Trail) is spectacular with stepping stones under the cliffs
- Longnor to Hartington avoids the Dove Dale crowds and is really nice. Dovedale itself is also great, but very busy; all the various side dales are also worthwhile.
- Nearby to Longnor the fossilised reefs of Parkside and Chrome Hill are the only real Peaks in the peak district, and brilliant
- Horseshoe Dale from the bookshop/cafe at Brierlow bar is an absolute delight in spring, carpeted with orchids and very quiet. You can extend down to Dovedale if you want.
- The Dane valley either side of Wincle (nice pub and brewery to sample)

Horeshoe Dale:

 

[fossyant]

Food and beer - Peak district is ideal !

 

[Big John]

Anywhere in the Peaks is a dream. A different world. The best fish and chips I've ever had are in the middle of Ashbourne. You're spoilt for choice for trails. The trails are usually flattish but there's one where there's a long, steady climb (mentioned earlier, Cromford). If you ride mainly roads then it's lumpy but worth the effort. Lots of unspoilt lanes. A trip back in time is the Peaks.

 

[Webbo2]

Anywhere in the Peaks is a dream. A different world. The best fish and chips I've ever had are in the middle of Ashbourne. You're spoilt for choice for trails. The trails are usually flattish but there's one where there's a long, steady climb (mentioned earlier, Cromford). If you ride mainly roads then it's lumpy but worth the effort. Lots of unspoilt lanes. A trip back in time is the Peaks.

Except it’s not called the Peaks. It’s either The PEAK district or the Peak.

 

[albion]

Carsington water is usually quiet mid week. I found much of the High Peak trail deserted mid week, apart from Parsley Hay with its cafe attraction.
You cannot go far wrong with The Peaks.

 

[fossyant]

Except it’s not called the Peaks. It’s either The PEAK district or the Peak.

Blah blah, even us locals call it The Peaks. !

 

[Webbo2]

Blah blah, even us locals call it The Peaks. !

Name the peaks then.