Into the Peaks July 2024

Testing stamina and strength through cycling. Building my muscles after my hip operation and finding solutions to recent ongoing energy dips.

After my walking challenge in the Yorkshire Dales in May, it was time for another push. I haven't done a cycling holiday since before the millenium and here was an opportunity for a 4 day cycling challenge into the Peak District for a weekend reunion near Buxton with my old friends as my rest break on the Saturday! (Little did I know they were keen to walk on that Saturday and we clocked 17km from 10am - 4pm.)

For preparation, I signed up for OS digital and planned my route using Sustran Cycling networks to keep me away from busy roads. I hadn't realised how amazing some of these routes were and there were points were I was cycling for hours on old railway lines by-passing all the main roads, often under bridges or flyovers. I saw dragonflies and butterflies in these National forests and on the sunniest days, enjoyed the cool canopy of the trees. I didn't cycle at the weekend, so the tracks were empty apart from a few dog walkers.

The first day would be about 80km (53miles) and the second day would be 40km (24 miles) but into the hills and dales of the Peak District.

I was using Youth Hostels and booked the Ilham YHA near Ashbourne for Thursday and Sunday nights and Ravontor near Buxton for Friday and Saturday nights. YHA hostels offer different types of stay and I could only book Raventor by private room (we had a dorm for 4 or us for our reunion, but no singles left), so could not sleep there on Sunday, or I might have stayed an extra day.

Day 1

Train: Watford Junction to Milton Keynes to Nuneaton. The earliest I could arrived was 11.50 without paying three times the price.

From Nuneaton, there was a cycle route that took me onto Cycle Route 52 (Bosworth route) which cut through National Forest for many kms, eventually coming out on small empty B-roads past Market Bosworth.

Then 52 neatly connected with Cycle Route 63 which took me up to Swadlincote via Moira and the fantastic old railway line route through more nature reserve and woodland parks.

Then it became a little trickier, having to use more main roads up through Repton and eventually finding my way onto another Cycle Route 54.

By this time it was 5pm and I was feeling very weary. I had hoped to be in Ashbourne by 5pm, and a cyclist along the route cheered me up by saying, 'It's only around an hour a way and a marvellous route. If I didn't have to go home to feed the dogs, I'd come with you'. What I didn't know was that it may well have been an hour the reverse way (coming back I managed it in 90 minutes), it took me over two hours to get there up a slow hill. I was so exhausted I found the local supermarket, grabbed a cup of tea and some snacks and sat on the bench outside pulling myself together. It was closing time, 8pm and I still had at least an hour (uphill) to go.

The hostel check in closed at 10pm. I had to get going.

Fortunately, the Cycle Path up to Ilham (pronounced Eye-l-ham - I was corrected a couple of days later by a local) was amazing. A slow gradual 30 minute climb through paved off track Route 68, with the sun slowing setting. The last 20 minutes were painful climbs and then one amazing freewheel into the valley that is Ilham. I didn't realised the YHA was part of a National Trust Country Manor and I felt I was arriving at his lordship's place, incredible. I managed to get there just after 9pm. The receptionist made me tea and I suddenly felt immensely better.

Day 2

I had until 5pm to reach the YHA only 40 kms away which took me via Buxton. The OS app said around 3 hours to Ravenstor and I thought I could arrive in Buxton at 1pm, have lunch, and then leisurely cycle to YHA Ravenstor. My friends would be arriving from Stroud and Preston and we might even have a chance to meet earlier.

The OS app is probably for cyclists that can manage steep hills the same way they ride on flats. I walked and there were a LOT of steep hills. I arrived in Buxton around 2pm thoroughly exhausted. The route is all on small roads, which works well, and I was fed up of old railway track cycle routes at that point as they were often uneven or stony and I worried about a puncture (although I really appreciated these routes and their tree canopies on the return as it was one of the hottest days in July).

At Buxton, I only managed a quick takaway cuppa and sat on a bench at a traffic light junction mustering my strength. I decided to take the A6 (my first A-road) and whizz with the traffic along the river.

This actually lead to the Monsal Trail (https://www.sustrans.org.uk/find-a-route-on-the-national-cycle-network/route-680/) cycle way (route 680), an incredible path through old Victorian railway tunnels and teaming with day cyclists of all ages. I was in a tourist place! It hugged the river Wye and was a refreshing end to a short but gruelling cycle.

I missed the easy road up to Ravenstor YHA and ended up slogging my bike up a steep footpath with some helpful fellow cyclists who explained about the local camping shop and live music.

Day 3 & 4

After an absolutely wonderful reunion including shared walks, pub meals and a dip in the stream, my friends drove off around 12.30pm on Sunday (day 4), and I began the return along the Wye and then into the hills.

I reached Ilham by 4pm, but was shattered from sun and lots of pushing up hills for 3 hours. It was great to have a meal and a lovely beer. I could relax and read until 10pm. I needed ear plugs and a scarf over my eyes as my dorm mates were snorers and needed their bedside lights on all night. They were asleep at 10pm and at 8am when I left. I never got to say 'hi'.

The last day was a little nerve wracking as I was feeling very achy and knew I had 6-8 hours of cycling ahead of me. But cycling on flat after hills is restorative, and I really enjoyed the slower pace of the woodland pathways and was making much quicker time out of the Peak district which was very motivating.

By the time I was past Derby and getting really tired, I had the adrenalin rush of knowing I was on the home straight. The sun was getting really hot, so I am so glad I was diverted into Market Bosworth (a road closure on route 53 for some reason) and the only place open for refreshments was a pub where I had a pint of cold soda water and a pot of tea.

I was able to rejoin route 53 on the south west route out of Market Bosworth which included a stretch through Natural Forest stopping just on the edge of Nuneaton.

Overall, this was a ground breaking trip for me. I reminder of earlier times and a sense that my legs still have the strength for long distance. The aches and pains seem more significant at 50+ and I wonder how long it will take to recover. Stamina is certainly an issue and I will do more research on regaining more energy at this time in my life, via diet and the right kind of exercise. I certainly feel stronger in spirit and proud of myself for undertaking this challenge and feeling where my physical limits are.