{"id":26306,"title":"Peak District Cycling Route","description":"Do you fancy riding on cobbles in a landscape of unspoilt beauty with the chance of spotting red deer or mountain hares? Then this 80-kilometre cycle ride in England\u2019s Peak District is made for you.","content":"

Published in<\/strong>: EXPLORE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>

Do you fancy riding on cobbles in a landscape of unspoilt beauty with the chance of spotting Red Deer and Mountain Hares? Then this 80-kilometre cycle ride in England\u2019s Peak District is made for you.<\/p>

It\u2019s named after Tegg\u2019s Nose, a prominent ridge with panoramic viewpoints over the surrounding countryside.<\/p>

\"djrcikqcqwqdu2c27yumxibkppabaeev3pmvurr0jorwrkmg.jpg\"We love cobbles here at Rijden and whilst the UK can\u2019t boast as many cobbled climbs and lanes as Flanders, we have a few. We turned to Mr Cyclocross Bible<\/em>, Alex Forrester for his favourite ride in England\u2019s Peak District where he resides with his cycling-mad family.<\/p>

The ride commences in the South-West corner of the Peak District National Park and heads north to Tegg\u2019s Nose Country Park before heading south back to the original starting point.<\/p>

Do I Need a Gravel Bike?<\/h3>

The ride is 50 miles (80 kilometres) that include 1,720 metres of climbing. It\u2019s a mixture of road, cobbles and gravel. The latter varies from quite refined to rough with small boulders. It\u2019s ideally suited to a gravel bike or mountain bike.<\/p>

\"qamgr8tympmv68kshsqfhtxskfiw3mhtj5luxlew82kvywi0.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=auto\"Gravel bike. Image: <\/em>Alessio Soggetti<\/em><\/a><\/p>

Alex informs me that he uses 36mm Challenge Strada Bianche tyres for this route. It\u2019s a bit extreme for a normal road bike, especially if it\u2019s wet. We\u2019ve included an alternative route that still includes cobbles but excludes the more extreme parts.<\/span><\/p>

Why Cycle in the Peak District?<\/h3>

The Peak District is one of ten National Parks in England which have special status to protect their beauty and natural habitats. It\u2019s set in northern England approximately 25 miles (40 kilometres) South West from Manchester.<\/p>

\"3xdr530bzzxme04y2zqflwgrqhlg3qhukmd0maqj3rnu64kp.jpg\"The perfect place for cycling. Image: Pipistrelle Rides<\/em><\/p>

The Park covers an area of 555 square miles (1,440 km\u00b2) and is largely rural with only one town - Bakewell which is probably best known for the Tart of the same name.<\/p>

The original version of the Bakewell Tart was and is the Bakwell Pudding<\/a>. The better-known Tart was commercialised by Mr Kippling but I suspect the original Pudding was far superior.<\/p>

\"gpkzyl4kfrzfyszfbi2rbc9e1ppflm7aw4vrunaxtdwc4ne6.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=auto\"Deer in the Peak District. Image <\/em>Stephen Kidd<\/em><\/a><\/p>

The Peak District is the perfect cycling territory for the more adventurous with stunning unspoilt scenery and tough climbs.<\/p>

If the panoramic vistas aren\u2019t enough to attract you to the Peak District then maybe the opportunity to spot Red Deer roaming freely or Mountain Hares, Kestrels, Short-eared Owls or Red Grouse might appeal.<\/p>

If you love spectacular countryside and wildlife in its natural habitat then you\u2019ll love the Peak District. It\u2019s always had a strong draw for cyclists and is one of the favoured training grounds of northern English professional cyclists.<\/p>

Who is Alex Forrester?<\/h3>

Alex co-authored The Cyclocross Bible with Mark Adams and Ren\u00e9e Lamb. It\u2019s probably the most comprehensive guide to cyclocross in print. UKCyclocross gave it 10 out of 10 and wrote \u201cAll bases covered \u2013 a monster read for the cyclocross fan, newbie or seasoned expert. Inspiring and thorough.\u201d<\/p>

\"u8vcpffmyqhlwtwnpvd28io50ftehtpnfrhq7hdyn7bdgrbf.jpg\"Alex racing cyclocross. Image: Chris Macleod<\/em><\/p>

Alex has been racing MTB and cyclocross since he was 14 and has raced in the UK and Belgium. After a career in Engineering at Southampton University, he and his wife Jen moved back to his native Derbyshire to establish Pipistrelle Rides<\/a> which specialises in bespoke guided cycling adventures in the Peak District<\/em>.<\/p>

Start - Grindon<\/h3>

Alex suggests starting the ride in the pretty village of Grindon which is at the southern end of the Peak District. It\u2019s a place best described as \u201coff the beaten track\u201d. The pub and railway have closed, although the latter has since been re-opened as an eight-mile (13-kilometre) tarmacked cycle path.<\/p>

\"3apbzzdubfbr3robmt6kwigq0gc5x9ks4r9fppyhrvcmtnxx.jpg\"Alex setting off from Grindon. Image: Pipistrelle Rides<\/em><\/p>

Head out up the gradual climb over Grindon Moor with views over the Wetton Hills. Descend to Onecote and climb up to Morridge. The views out over to the Wrekin and Long Mynd in Shropshire and on to Wales are breathtakingly beautiful.<\/span><\/p>

The road undulates along the ride into the higher moorlands with views over to the Roaches and Shutlingslow - known as the Matterhorn of the Peak. Cross the main Leek-Buxton road just above \u201cThe Winking Man\u201d - a rock formation that looks like someone winking if you ride down towards Leek.<\/span><\/p>

Gradbach<\/h3>

Instead, we go straight over and down to Gradbach. Over the Dane and up a steep climb out of Gradbach and right up an even steeper climb up a stony track, which gets bouldery on the descent down to the Congleton road. This track could easily be missed out by taking a lovely alternative road.<\/span><\/p>

But we don\u2019t do these things because they\u2019re easy though! A little bit of main road before descending down past Wildboarclough (pronounced <\/span>wilbercluff<\/span><\/em>) into a beautiful little valley where you\u2019ll spot Alpacas, before a real leg-breaker up to Macclesfield Forest.<\/span><\/p>

\"4wchdysgoqyxea293lv7wth2invlifwo581kweoklvqhg0f9.jpg\"The Peak District is renowned for its beauty. Image: Pipistrelle Rides<\/em><\/p>

There\u2019s an undulating gravel track around the forest perimeter. It has a short steep switch-back climb up to a wonderful viewpoint where you can see a rather intimidating view of the next part of the ride: Tegg\u2019s Nose and the Cat and Fiddle pass.<\/span><\/p>

Cobbles<\/h3>

First, there\u2019s a fast descent down to the valley before a short taster section of cobbles at the start of the track to Tegg\u2019s Nose. There\u2019s a bit of cyclocross training next, with a stream crossing leading into a flight of steps. Not far further on you hit the foot of the main event: Saddlers Way - the \u2018Teggnoseberg\u2019.<\/span><\/p>

\"jjel02osuad0tno6bgem9aghrmzc6nmahp5hy0vc55fn29rw.jpg\"A ford and some steps give it a cyclocross feel. Image: Pipistrelle Rides<\/em><\/p>

It\u2019s roughly 500 metres long and the average gradient is around 15% but there are plenty of bits in the 20s. It\u2019s an achievement just to get up it! Luckily there\u2019s a pretty good caf\u00e9 at the top (Tegg\u2019s Nose Tearoom). Most of this ride sticks to lesser-known back roads but at this point, we join the tourists and take on the second half of the Cat and Fiddle.<\/span><\/p>

Daneblower Hollow<\/span><\/h3>

This takes us high up into the moorlands and the ride starts to feel epic. The pub at the top closed a good few years back and there\u2019s now a gin and whiskey distillery with tours and tasting.<\/span><\/p>

\"wzdg3j9roqqpqbcv4bsaqzjlarfycz08hlm2x6oofyayj85t.jpg\"If you\u2019re enjoying this ride around the Peak District, why not subscribe <\/a>to get all our latest stories and articles?<\/p>

\"e4csubwckhg8szzln5ubes5dpwxwl5bey21wrlfbncih5zeg.jpg\"<\/u><\/a>\"wzdg3j9roqqpqbcv4bsaqzjlarfycz08hlm2x6oofyayj85t.jpg\"<\/p>

At the top, we continue climbing by taking a right over Daneblower Hollow. This is one of the rare off-road sectors on this ride that is actually suitable for a gravel bike.<\/span><\/p>

\"hria7xbid44knmn3itaispodufbmda2yfk4sminlrkz0txeu.jpg\"Cobbles and climbs. Is there anything more beautiful? Image: Pipistrelle Rides<\/em><\/p>

It\u2019s the high point of the ride. We next take the highest road in Derbyshire over to Axe Edge and descend down into the White Peak. The scenery changes dramatically as the rugged limestone \u2018Dragon\u2019s Back\u2019 comes into view.<\/span><\/p>

Hulme End<\/span><\/h3>

Both on-road and off-road hairpins take you to an improbably beautiful wooded valley with a film set-worthy olde bridge over a babbling brook. A series of incredible White Peak views lead us down the Dove and Manifold valleys to Hulme End where there\u2019s the <\/span>Tea Junction<\/span> caf\u00e9. We take a mercifully flat disused railway path down the Manifold past Thor\u2019s Cave.<\/span><\/p>

Just past the <\/span>Tea Junction<\/span> caf\u00e9 at <\/span>Ecton, there\u2019s a huge disused copper mine with a 420-metre-deep shaft, extending 300 metres below the river level<\/span><\/p>

The final climb takes you from Weags Bridge back up to Grindon where you started.<\/span><\/p>

\"sshxwsyaicvze4ewkgogjdlpcxhud4fvndsnbjos2gq3yrqh.jpg\"The olde bridge. Image: Pipistrelle Rides<\/em><\/p>

Where to Eat and Drink<\/h3>

Alex recommends the Tegg\u2019s Nose Tea Room<\/a> as a stopping point on the ride. It\u2019s almost exactly halfway through the ride at its most northerly point. The Tea Room is located in Tegg\u2019s Nose Country Park and consistently has excellent reviews as well as stunning views.<\/p>

If you fancy extending your ride or maybe want some post-ride Belgian beer to soothe your aching legs then head to the market town of Leek. In the centre of town facing onto the town-cobbled lane of Stanley Street, you\u2019ll find the Belgian-style bar Den Engel<\/a>. The Peak District is starting to sound like heaven.<\/p>

Maps and GPX Files<\/span><\/h2>

The details of the route were correct at the time of publication. The first route is designed for gravel or mountain bikes and the second is a modified version for road bikes.<\/p>

Tegg\u2019s Nose Circular Cycle Ride I<\/h3>

This route is best suited to gravel and mountain bikes.<\/p>

Download the GPX file<\/a> for Tegg\u2019s Nose Circular Cycle Ride I.<\/p>

Google Map<\/a> and Strava Route<\/a> for Tegg\u2019s Nose Circular Cycle Ride I.<\/p>

Tegg\u2019s Nose Circular Cycle Ride II<\/h3>

A route more suited to road bikes but still includes the key cobbled features.<\/p>

Download the GPX file<\/a> for Tegg\u2019s Nose Circular Cycle Ride II.<\/p>

Google Map<\/a> and Strava Route<\/a> for Tegg\u2019s Nose Circular Cycle Ride II.<\/p>

\"wzdg3j9roqqpqbcv4bsaqzjlarfycz08hlm2x6oofyayj85t.jpg\"<\/p>

My thanks to Alex and his team at Pipistrelle Rides for sharing this unique ride.<\/p>

4 April 2023, Tim Costello
\"grrbpemyywmusal5merxugim70nijvc2vqzqxpkx6vlx83lu.jpg\"<\/p>

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