Pedalling the Peak District weekender

What's included

  • 1 night accommodation

  • 1 meal per day and snacks

  • Extra meal on day 2 (lunch at Parsley Hay)

  • Luggage transfers

  • Support Vehicle

  • Fully guided trip

  • All repair & first aid equipment

Tour dates: April 15 - April 16, 2023

Duration: 2 days

Distance: 113km

Grading: Intermediate (see below)

Trip Overview

The Peak District is a fantastic place to ride, full to the brim with fantastic cycle trails, walled lanes and dramatic scenery. Renowned for its rolling hills, plateau’s, valleys and limestone gorges, to the eye, the peak district presents as an inescapable challenge on two pedal-powered wheels. However, the trails which cut through the hills make it accessible to the leisure cyclist without spoiling the scenery. It's an exceptional weekend on your bike exploring all that this region has to offer - breathtaking scenery, abundant wildlife and a tart/pudding or two!

DAY 1 - Macclesfield to Matlock (52km)

We start out at Macclesfield and encounter a decent climb straight up before reaching Buxton, famous for its spring water. We then take an almost entirely traffic-free route, 30km along the famous Monsal trail. The flat trail offers a relaxing time on the bike with some great scenery. There will be a chance to cycle over the spectacular Monsal Viaduct and also chomp down on a delicious tart in Bakewell! After lunch it’s a short ride to the finish at Matlock, topping off an incredibly scenic day’s ride.

DAY 2 - Matlock to Macclesfield (56km)

his great day in the saddle starts on the Pennine Cycleway - National Cycle Route no.68 - which runs the length of the Peak district, presenting beautiful countryside and amazing vistas with hardly a car in sight! Heading out of Matlock encounter a steep climb up to the spectacular High Peak Trail and along to Middleton Top, taking in the expansive views along the way. After stopping for lunch at the cycling hub of Parsley Hay, we continue along the High Peak trail through the heart of the Peak District before descending down to our finish point at Macclesfield.

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Distance

113km (2 days cycling)

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Grading

Intermediate/Challenging Adventure 4/5. This ride is graded as intermediate/challenging because whilst we use flat cycle trails and the ride distance is manageable (for a semi-regular rider with medium fitness), there are numerous hilly sections to encounter.

Terrain and Elevation

The ride has challenging sections in the hills, although every effort is made to use the numerous flat disused railway lines.

Logistics

The ride starts and finishes in Macclesfield - within easy train ride from Manchester and London. Please arrive by 10am on Day one. Once everyone has arrived we will load belongings into the support vehicle and then commence riding. On Sunday please book a train that leaves Macclesfield after 5pm. A luggage transfer will be provided for you during the tour.

Highlights

- Amazing traffic-free cycling on the Monsal, Tissington and High Peak trails
- Beautiful scenery of the Peak District with its rolling hills, stone-lined lanes, and limestone rock faces
- Abundance of sights and attractions in Buxton including caves, gardens, spas and the stunning Crescent and surrounding spa buildings
- Charming town of Bakewell, home of the Bakewell Tart and Pudding

What to budget for?

  • Train tickets

  • Dinner each evening and extra meals and other purchases

  • Bicycle hire (extra charge if required)

What to Bring

Water bottle, money for dinner, extra food and refreshments, spare inner tube for YOUR bike, cycling equipment (bicycle, bike lock, compulsory bike helmet, cycle jacket etc). No jeans please.

Prices

Full Payment Single £125
Full Payment Twin £95pp