Linacre and Holymoorside.

I fancied going a little further afield for this weeks ride. A route in last months MBR (November) looked promising, a 16 mile figure of 8 jaunt to the west of Chesterfield. According to the description its a 'better summer route as one or two of the lanes can become gloopy after prolonged rain', which makes me wonder why they published it in Novembers mag. Dani came along, but soon regretted her decision....

Parking up at Linacre Reservoir, we soon hit the first bridlepath, mildly muddy farm tracks and fields. Then a short road section, more farm tracks, and the first serious section of gloop...
A narrow track ,covered in thick mud, took us down to Birley Brook, then a couple of stream crossings brought us to a muddy wooded climb. At this point Dani had a serious sense of humour failure, the back end of her Genesis was absolutely slathered in gloop, stopping the rear wheel turning (I thoroughly enjoyed myself!). This is the problem with 29ers, bigger wheels and tyres equals less mud clearence around the seatstays and chainstays. Front mechs are also a mud magnet, which is why singlespeeds win in foul weather! When we lived down in Bedfordshire I fitted 1.95 tyres in the winter to cut through the gloop and give more mud room. She's talking of converting the bike from a triple chainring/9 speed set up to 1 x 10 next year.

Dani alongside Birley Brook.

On the climb up from Birley Brook.

Mud glorious mud...

Tarmac took us down to Wadshelf and the A619, then on to Holymoorside and the next bridlepath. A super singletrack climb through bracken (fell off) led to nice woodland singletrack, dropping down to tarmac and a restricted byway, a nice little descent down to a bridge and a stiff climb on the other side. Turning right at Walton Lees Farm took us along moorland singletrack, something I always enjoy, then another short tarmac section to the next bridlepath.

Moorland riding, Harewood Moor.

This took us uphill through trees then opened out onto a field of coos. The uphill section was seriously muddy, being cut up by hooves. No chance of riding that, or even keeping your feet dry!

A bit claggy here...

More tarmac was followed by more rough farm tracks to Eastmoor and the A619, turning off up Puddingpie Hill (there's some great placenames in this area), turning right at the crossroads, then right again at the Royal Oak for a mixture of rough farm tracks and bridlepaths leading to Old Brampton. From there another bridleway, a woodland mixture of mud and dry leaves, took us back to the car.

Dani's not keen on returning, but I enjoyed the ride. I like to check out new areas, but if I come back it'll be in the summer!

Paul.