Monsal Trail

[pawl]

Has anyone riden this route recently.I walked some of this just after the tunnels were reopened.Is the surface suitable for road tyres. I currently ride Michelin Endurance 23c I have ridden the Tissington and High peak trails without any problems.Would appreciate any bodies experience of this route.

I understand that the route starts in Blackwell.Any advice appreciated
Thanks in advance.

 

[Apollonius]

No problem at all for road bikes. It is surfaced. There again, I use my 23mm slicks on anything.

 

[al3xsh]

It's definitely doable on a road bike with 23s, but not particularly comfortable :-)

It can also be really busy (especially summer and weekends) - and lights are helpful in some of the tunnels. I've ridden it a few times from the other end (Bakewell) on my hybrid.

A

 

[tribanjules]

You need a loud bell at weekends !

 

[TheDoctor]

I did the Monsal last September, on a Ribble with 24mm road tyres. No problems.
The High Peak and Tissington were also fine on road tyres.
The Manifold was a bit of a pain, as the first mile or two are a bit tree-rooty and cracked.

 

[pawl]

Thanks all for your input.Wil give it a go in the autumn when hopefully it will be less busy.

 

[nickAKA]

Gravel bits will be a challenge to get over quickly, especially over the viaduct... I've done it on 42mm gravel & 37mm commuter tyres... I preferred the former!

 

[Slioch]

It's less bumpy/gravelly than the High Peak trail, so you'll be fine. Your biggest risk is other trail users.

 

[Deleted member 26715]

Sorry slightly OT but if I have the attention of people who ride around here maybe somebody knows the answer, starting at Middleton Top, up the High Peak trail, down the Tissington trail & back to Middleton Top via Carsington Water does anyone know the distance?

 

[Slioch]

Sorry slightly OT but if I have the attention of people who ride around here maybe somebody knows the answer, starting at Middleton Top, up the High Peak trail, down the Tissington trail & back to Middleton Top via Carsington Water does anyone know the distance?

Done that, or a very similar route a few times, although starting from Parsley Hay. It's about 32 miles with 1,600 feet of ups and downs.

 

[TheDoctor]

It's around 35 miles iirc. I did Brassington, Middleton Top, Parsley Hay, Ashbourne and back to Brassington, which will be a similar distance.

 

[TheDoctor]

Cross--posted. I did the end bit above Parsley Hay, an extra 3-4 miles maybe.

 

[Deleted member 26715]

Thanks folks might be a step too far currently but maybe one fir new year. Sorry @pawl back on topic now

 

[tribanjules]

Sorry slightly OT but if I have the attention of people who ride around here maybe somebody knows the answer, starting at Middleton Top, up the High Peak trail, down the Tissington trail & back to Middleton Top via Carsington Water does anyone know the distance?

I ride from the cafe with smiley lady at Middleton top, carsington, parsley hay then Middleton top and think it's towards 40 miles. One of my favourite routes.