Holiday Cycling Ashbourne Area

[Gert Lush]

Hey

I'm going on holiday next week and I'm staying at the Ashbourne Caravan and Camping Club Site and I was looking for some rides between 30-60miles that I can do. I'd like to stay away from main A roads if possible and would be looking for 2000-3000ft climbing, maybe a bit more. Don't mind too much on that point.

I have had a look on Strava for rides done around there but I don't know the area and so I don't quite know what the road etc. would be like. I have also read the Peak District 100mile ride thread but the rides on that one are a bit too far away from where I'd be staying and the climbing is like 8000ft. Out of my ability range I'm afraid.

Any of you locals know any good ones? Thanks in advance!

Mike

 

[Big T]

The Ashbourne campsite is next to the Tissington trail, I think. Not far away anyway, if it isn't. You can go up the Tissington trail to Parsley Hay, then take the High Peak trail as far as Longcliffe, then use the minor roads to get you back to Ashbourne.

The Manifold Trail is also not far away. Pick it up near Waterhouses and follow it to Hulme End. You can then carry on heading generally north to Longnor. Some nice cafes in the cobbled village square with my fave Derbyshire cafe at the Craft centre. From Longnor square go east. After a mile you'll see a drop into a dry valley with a steep climb on the other side. That is Crowdicote, one of the steepest climbs in the Peaks. It's about 20% at its steepest. If you fancy it, climb it then turn right at the next crossroads which will take you back towards Hartington. If you don't fancy the climb, then don't drop into the dry valley. Follow road to Sheen and back to Hartington. From there, you can pick up the Tissington Trail at Biggin, to get you back to Ashbourne.

Another ride would be along minor roads to Longcliffe then head over towards Elton. From the Hollybush pub, there's a climb up to Elton/Winster then a long descent towards Bakewell. Before you hit the A6, turn left and climb up to Youlgreave. Turn right towards Over Haddon, then at the T junction turn left onto the Long Rake road. Make your way towards Monyash where there's another nice cafe. From Monyash, climb up towards the Ashbourne to Buxton road, cross over and then follow minor roads towards Hartington or pick up the Tissington trail at Parsley Hay to take you back to Ashbourne.

There are also some nice rides going west or north- west from Ashbourne. Morridge is a nice road with good views.

Tissington and High Peak trails are rideable on a road bike. They have a loose, fine shale surface mostly. I've ridden them on a road bike with 25mm tyres with no problems.

 

[pawl]

Hey

I'm going on holiday next week and I'm staying at the Ashbourne Caravan and Camping Club Site and I was looking for some rides between 30-60miles that I can do. I'd like to stay away from main A roads if possible and would be looking for 2000-3000ft climbing, maybe a bit more. Don't mind too much on that point.

I have had a look on Strava for rides done around there but I don't know the area and so I don't quite know what the road etc. would be like. I have also read the Peak District 100mile ride thread but the rides on that one are a bit too far away from where I'd be staying and the climbing is like 8000ft. Out of my ability range I'm afraid.

Any of you locals know any good ones? Thanks in advance!

Mike

Have a look at the Tissington and High peak trails
If you head towards Bakewell you can pick up the Monsal trail there or at Monsal head.

I have rides these trails on a road bike shod with 23c tyres
Have a great holiday .

I

 

[Gert Lush]

Thanks guys, some good options there. 20% hill sounds a bit much but I'll have a look on Google Maps/Strava and see if I can come up with anything.

I'm glad you guys mentioned surface condition because I forgot to say but I did mean to take my road bike which has 25c tyres on it.

 

[nickyboy]

I very occasionally get down to Ashbourne on some of my longer rides. If you're looking for quiet roads and 30-60 miles with 2000-3000ft of climbing the geography limits you.

North of Ashbourne towards Longnor (I know this bit quite well) is typically 100ft climbing per mile on the back roads to too tough. West towards Stoke is similar. North East towards Matlock is even hiller. Rides in the SW - E direction will be flat enough but that's getting out of my range so I can't give specific route suggestions. I think @MickeyBlueEyes may be your man

 

[al3xsh]

As the others say, on a 60 mile ride you are probably looking at 4000ft of climbing (unless you stick to the tissington trail, etc.).

Lovely rides heading north towards Matlock and carsington water - then head east to Harrington and crowdecote. Quite a few hills, but it is called the Peak District ;-)

 

[al3xsh]

Also, most of the a roads aren't too bad - but I would avoid the a515!

 

[Gert Lush]

I can give 4000ft a go, I only specified an amount of climbing because I didn't want people to suggest routes but then looking and seeing like 8000-10,000ft climbing.

 

[Tim Hall]

I was there earlier this year, staying in the George and Dragon. My buddy who organised it grabbed some routes off the Ashbourne Cycling Club website.

 

[Big T]

It's generally rolling terrain or long draggy hills. There is the odd steep one out there but usually easily avoided. We do a monthly ride in the Peaks starting from Cromford and typically do 45-50 miles and about 4000 feet of climbing.

You can go SE of Ashbourne for flatter terrain. Out towards Sutton on the Hill and Tutbury. Still rolling terrain but no big hills.

 

[al3xsh]

How about http://www.strava.com/routes/6607760?

I've not done the whole route (not done the bit from ashbourne to Hulme end) but I've done the rest. 4500ft of climbing in c 50 miles.

Or try part of the dovedale and beyond audax route - http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/16-42/?

Enjoy!

 

[Gert Lush]

How about http://www.strava.com/routes/6607760?

I've not done the whole route (not done the bit from ashbourne to Hulme end) but I've done the rest. 4500ft of climbing in c 50 miles.

Or try part of the dovedale and beyond audax route - http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/16-42/?

Enjoy!

That one looks good!

 

[Gert Lush]

I was there earlier this year, staying in the George and Dragon. My buddy who organised it grabbed some routes off the Ashbourne Cycling Club website.

I never thought of that, very clever. I'll have a looksie