Pedal Peak District Latest News

PEDAL PEAK DISTRICT LATEST NEWS

NATIONAL BIKE WEEK 18-26 June

National Bike Week is nearly upon us with plenty of rides and events to inspire you.

Here are some of the events happening in the Peak District.

Saturday 18 June - An introduction to mountain biking in the Upper Derwent Valley

10:30am to 2:30pm   An introduction to mountain biking, including cycling the beautiful 11 mile circuit of the Derwent and Howden Reservoirs in the UpperDerwentValley.  Starting at Fairholmes Visitor Centre, the route crosses the River Derwent in the heart of the hills by the historic Slippery Stones packhorse bridge. The ride follows a very quiet road and good quality forest tracks.  There are a few short hills, but nothing too strenuous.

During the ride, led by national park ranger Martyn Sharp, we will look at basic navigation and bike maintenance as well as practicing bike handling skills in controlled situations. Bikes can be hired from Derwent Cycle Hire, on site at Fairholmes, but come early to arrange this.  Helmets must be worn.  Families are welcome, but youngsters should be accompanied.

Bring a packed lunch and a drink and dress for the weather conditions!

The ride is free, but places are limited, so please phone 01629 816290 to book.

Fairholmes is located at Map Reference SK1789 or Postcode S33 0AQ.  At the Visitor Centre there is a small shop and refreshment kiosk as well as toilets.  The car park is pay and display.

Sunday 19 June - Cycling Sunday in Bakewell

Training and advice from 9:30am, rides from 11:00am.

Professional cycling instructors from Pedal Ready are offering cycle rides and bespoke sessions for all ages with all the tips and advice you need to ride Derbyshire (and the new Monsal Trail) with confidence.

On offer at Bakewell's Agricultural Business Centre:

• Maintenance tips and advice
• Cycling confidence training for born again bikers
• Skills sessions for teenagers and families
• Learn to ride (without bruises)for adults or teenage not-yet cyclists, or tips for parents to help youngsters cast off their stabilisers without tears
• 'The Knowledge' - National Standard cycling tips and advice to help you feel safe on the road. (More than halves the risk of injury)
• Short guided rides along the trail or quiet roads

Training and advice free, but donations welcomed to help cover our ride expenses.

Book a bespoke session at: 0114 2412775 or start@pedalready.co.uk by Friday pm .

(We can't always guarantee a place if you turn up on the day. We'll fit you in if we can, but you may have to wait.)

Wednesday 22 June - Matlock moors, hills and mills

1:00 - 4:00pm  Join Derbyshire Dales countryside service on a 24 mile led hilly ride on mainly quiet roads.  After a challenging climb out of the Derwent valley the route follows scenic roads across high moorland. Not suitable for children. A reasonable level of fitness is required.

Meet outside Matlock railway station DE4 3NA . Bring a drink and own cycle (helmet recommended). The ride is free of charge.

For further information and to book a place please contact Derbyshire Dales countryside service on 07775 931083

Wednesday 22 June - Women on Wheels ride (see social cycling below)

Wednesday 22 June - Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice midweek bike rides

Ride1: Road sportive in the Peak District - a challenging ride taking in some breathtaking scenery (and some hills) between 28 and 32 miles.

Ride 2: Off road trail aimed at people just starting mountain biking and junior rides. Distance 10 miles.

Time: 6:00pm
Venue: Polaris, Wreakes Lane, Dronfield
Cost: £3.50 per adult £1.00 per child.

For further information contact Andrea 01909 517360 or andrea.hudson@bluebell.org

Thursday 23 June - Hills, dales and trails

Join the Peak District National Park Authority's landscape architect, Garrie Tiedeman, on a 9.5 mile led ride at an easy pace, to learn more about the area's fascinating landscape. Cycle on a traffic free trail and a stretch of gated road with a stop for afternoon tea at a traditional farmhouse. Not suitable for children. A reasonable level of fitness is required.

Time: 2:00 - 4:30pm
Venue: Meet at Parsley Hay cycle hire, SK17 0DG
Equipment: Money, drink and own cycle or hire from Parsley Hay (helmet recommended)
Cost: FREE (please bring money for refreshments)

For further information and to book a place please contact Pedal Peak District on 01629 816297 or pedal@peakdistrict.co.uk

Pedal the Peak District - 9 journeys of discovery by bike

A new cycle routes leaflet called 'Pedal the Peak District: 9 journeys of discovery by bike' is out now. The leaflet has Ordnance Survey maps and directions for nine superb cycle routes through some of the area's most scenic countryside. It has been produced by the Peak District National Park Authority and Visit Peak District & Derbyshire, the area's official tourist board.

The nine cycle tours range from 7 to 28 miles long. Each route has been carefully researched to offer great cycling along quiet lanes and traffic-free trails, fantastic views, eating and drinking places plus some of the most attractive villages and market towns. They require a reasonable level of fitness and are for people who wish to do a leisurely day / half day circular tour or go a little further.

During National Bike Week (18 - 26 June) there will be led rides on two of the routes , from Matlock and Parsley Hay. 'Pedal the Peak District' is available at visitor centres and cycle hire centres throughout the Peak District. All the routes are also available as pdfs and .gpx files (downloadable to a gps) from www.visitpeakdistrict.com/cycleroutes . These pages will be added to in due course with local business information .

There has also been a reprint of the Cycle Derbyshire leaflet which can be found at

www.derbyshire.gov.uk/cycling

Respect on the trails...

The Peak District National Park Authority, which owns and manages the Monsal Trail, is asking everyone to respect other users of the new route by following a basic code of conduct.

Users are being asked to:

•          Keep to the left and pass in single file .

•          Use a bell or call out "bike" when approaching others from behind on a bicycle .

•          Keep dogs on leads and under control. Clear up dog mess.

•          Take rubbish home .

It is illegal for motor vehicles and trail bikes to use the Monsal Trail, with the exception of approved maintenance vehicles. Derbyshire Police's Safer Neighbourhood policing teams will be patrolling the trail to take action against anyone breaking the law.

Further information can be seen at www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/monsaltrail

If you have cycled the newly opened Monsal Trail we'd like to hear from you, send your comments to pedal@peakdistrict.gov.uk

SOCIAL CYCLING

Following on from our Women on Wheels (WoW) monthly rides last year , regular participant Angie Farrant is keen to keep the momentum going and has offered to coordinate some summer rides for anyone wanting an easy paced ride and a social activity. The details of the next rides are below:

Wednesday 22 June - Social ride around Derwent and Howden reservoirs (WoW)

Meet 11am near Fairholmes (an exact meeting point will be detailed to those interested).

These rides are for ladies who want to ride in company and are confident to ride on the traffic free routes offered. Each person is asked to make their own provision for weather, medication, first aid etc. Being in a group will naturally offer support to each rider and it is our intention to cycle at a steady pace and consider everyone's needs so that we can continue to enjoy cycling in a group.  If you are not sure about the route catering for your confidence and ability please contact the co-ordinator. A packed lunch is recommended.

The Derwent cycle hire centre is located at the main car park (Fairholmes) for Derwent Dam of Dambusters practice fame in the DarkPeak. The road heading north, along the west of Derwent reservoir takes you past Howden dam and reservoir. It is generally quiet and is restricted to official access only at certain times. At the top of Howden reservoir, the road ends and you can take the traffic free scenic track back to Derwent Dam and the cycle hire centre.

Pay and display car parking. For further information and to book please contact Angie Farrant tutorfarrant@yahoo.com

Wednesday 6 July - Social ride along the Monsal Trail (WoW)

Meet 11am at Hassop Station Car park.

Cycle towards Wye Dale and return along the superb newly opened Monsal trail.

These rides are for ladies who want to ride in company and are confident to ride on the traffic free routes offered. Each person is asked to make their own provision for weather, medication, first aid etc. Being in a group will naturally offer support to each rider and it is our intention to cycle at a steady pace and consider everyone's needs so that we can continue to enjoy cycling in a group.  If you are not sure about the route catering for your confidence and ability please contact the co-ordinator. A packed lunch is recommended.

For further information and to book please contact Angie Farrant tutorfarrant@yahoo.com

PEDAL FOR PRIZES!

You've got to be in it to win it! T ake part in our competitions - just sign up at www.pedalpeakdistrict.co.uk. Simply fill in your details and log your cycling trips on a regular basis.

Find us on FACEBOOK@PedalPeakDistrict for up to date news and cycling tips.

Please forward this on to your friends and family who may be interested pedalling the peaks.

Happy cycling from the Pedal Peak District team!