Peaks Figure of Eight Run

The Ferrets at Ladybower Reservoir Visitor Centre, from L-R: Clive, Paul (Baggy), Simon (Chimes), Stuart & Debbie (Jock) 

This run was put together at very short notice.  A chance look on Thursday at the weather forecast for Sunday brought Clive up short!  Wall to wall sunshine with above average temperatures is not what you'd expect in late November!

What's happening to the seasons?  Well, obviously the result of us destroying the planet in no short order, but the side effect is that we keep announcing runs as the last of the season.  And what happens?  Another brilliant weather forecast promises a great biking day, and there we are again, out on yet another run.  But now it's the back end of November!  Less than two weeks from December.  In fact, today was even warmer than last Sunday, and made for an ace day out.

By Saturday evening it was looking like just Clive, Kit, Stuart & Debbie, but then Simon added his name and we were set for three bikes.  However, Clive & Kit were out for dinner with friends Saturday evening, didn't get home 'til one in the morning, and given that Kit'd had a heavy week at work, she pulled out on Sunday morning leaving just Clive & Simon preparing to leave for the run across the Pennines to the meet-up in Holmfirth.  The later start, and the warmer weather, meant that they had a superb run over Saddleworth Moor in bright sunshine, with the tail of the rain front receding ahead of them.  It was therefore only 10:15 when they pulled into the car park in Holmfirth.  By 'eck, but was it cooler there than in Manchester, so they stamped their feet waiting for the others to arrive.

And who should pull into the car park half an hour later, but not only Simon & Debbie, but also Paul.  So we were then up to four bikes.  So, off we set on the figure of eight, leaving Holmfirth due south east into the strong low sun, glaring off the still wet road!  Added to this, there was a pretty stiff and gusty cross-wind, but this all eased off as we were dropping down to the Woodhead Pass, so we were able to pick up the pace somewhat.  Then it was down the torturous Mortimer Road, and a significant drop in pace again.  But the day was perfectly clear, and the colours of the countryside vivid and still very much autumnal - very uplifting.  The Snake Pass afforded another pacey section as we sped towards Ladybower.

At the Reservoir, we turned south, leaving the Snake Pass behind and wended our way through villages south to our lunch break in Bakewell.  By now the day was pleasantly warm, the skies remained blue and cloudless, and Bakewell was consequently quite busy.

The return run, and the other half of the figure of eight, started with the run up the A6 to Buxton.  It's a shame, but much of this is now restricted to 50mph, so the turn back north at Buxton allowed us to stretch the bikes' legs a tad more as we turned eastwards out to Winnats Pass Gorge - a most spectacular winding descent, with wonderful views and dramatic scenery.  Before long, we were again turning north to the centre of our figure of eight, and our next break at the Ladybower Reservoir Visitors Centre (where the group shot at the header of this page was taken).

Simon expressed disappointment that the ice-cream van wasn't there!  Not quite warm enough mate.  It was here that we decided to miss out the stop on the top of Holme Moss, as everybody knew it well, and it was going to be pretty cool up there, so the next leg was to now finish back at Holmfirth.

It had been intended to do a circuit of the northern Ladybower Reservoir, but when we arrived at the road around the shores it was found to have been made private, and barred by gates!  So, again, the route was changed and we set off west to enjoy most of the Snake Pass across to Glossop.  Let's just say that this section provided perhaps the most energetic of riding, and it wasn't long before we were descending into Glossop for the turn back north again.

We shot over to the Woodhead Pass, and then up and over Holme Moss amidst a golden glow, as the sun was fast descending.  Everything appeared to have been burnished in gold - a real heart-warming scene, and a strong reminder of how beautiful the countryside is.  And so it was that we dropped down towards Holmfirth, through the hairpin bends, and to the small car park well ahead of schedule.  Here we had a short break before saying our goodbyes, and setting off home before the light totally failed us.

Simon and Clive would like to say how much they enjoyed the company of the new Ferrets Stuart, Debbie and Paul, and that they look forward to riding with them again.

Photographs courtesy of Chimes & Kit

Page Updated

28/06/2008 23:54