
Rugby season is over so up at 6.30am and out to the Dark Peak District for a classic ride.

Longendale Trail up to the Woodhead Pass, the Now Track down to Langsett, along Mickledon Edge and over and Cut Gate to Derwent Reservoir then up Snake Pass to just shy of the summit before taking Doctor’s Gate ultra technical trail down to Old Glossop…


It was scorch out there, low 30s and I had to beg some sunscreen off some walkers I bumped into. Also ran out of water on the final climb up the Snake, that was properly hard.


I have never ridden Cut Gate when it has been so dry – literally dusty and all rideable which was a complete first!


At the bottom of Doctor’s Gate as you come into Old Glossop there is a pub and for the thirsty biker it was like finding an Oasis. Suitably refreshed it was back over the tops back to the start of the Longendale Trail. A long but really good loop.

