The longer haul group (of 7) set off yesterday on a route chosen by Dave Mag, destination a cafe in Hathersage to be decided on arrival.
Headed up main thorncliffe for a nice easy warm up for some of the climbing to come,we soon lost our first rider, as Nick Deaville turned for home with a very sick wheel.
Into longnor and crowdecote , across to Flagg and Taddington, before the descent into Millers Dale, to be greeted with a bit more taking in the back lanes to Tideswell.
At least we got some downhill again as we plummeted into Bradwell and the Hope Valley.
At this point the cogmeister hijacked the ride to take us all to a beauty spot for some photos, and to deflect our attention for what he’d got in mind…
It’s not often steep defeats me, but there’s a first time for everything! Let’s just say Bamford Clough is evil!!
From there we dropped down to the deli in Hathersage, just beating the lunch rush, and we’re treated to some great food.
Returning back towards Hassop and Ashford, and the typical climb of Sheldon bank to magpie mine and monyash, before a bit of up for a change, over the rakes to hartington and a quick refreshment stop, where the group split; some coming home direct through Warslow and the mermaid, and a few others meandering their way past the butchers arms and the winking man, before dropping around the back of the roaches and Meerbrook.
A cracking ride.
https://blog.veloviewer.com/bamford-clough-the-steepest…/