The Tour of Britain.

Today the Tour of Britain visited Derbyshire and wound its way through Buxton, so naturally I took a much-needed day of work to go and watch.

There was a sprint stage in town with the race coming through Market Square but we cycled out from town and found a spot on Long Hill (A5004 Buxton to Whaley road), on a nicely manicured verge outside the big posh house. Luckily the weather was warm and dry, and although there was a strong wind it was in the riders favour as they has a good tail wind out of Buxton.

The racers came through in two groups, with several minutes between groups, I took some pics, then it was all over and the road re-opened to traffic. Watching a group of athletes ride past in close formation is always a fine sight, but do you take pics and concentrate on framing the riders, or do you ignore the camera and just wave the group past? Dani took the latter course, and in hindsight I think she had the better idea (especially as my photos are always a bit rubbish!).

After they'd gone Dani jumped back on her bike and rode straight home, whilst I continued on towards Whaley. As could be imagined there were a lot of cyclists out, in fact for a while the road belonged to us. Riding along at speed surrounded by other bikes was enourmous fun, any other traffic was for once forced to travel at our pace, having said that our pace was good! I followed a Landrover 90 for a while, a soft top with the sides rolled up and a girl in the passenger seat photographing us cyclists following behind. Eventually I overtook, and then took the hatchback in front as well, now how often can you do that on a bike on a main road!

Rather than carry on all the way down to Whaley I turned right and followed a bridlepath up a steep grassy field (SK 024762 for the map fans out there) then turned back towards Buxton following the Roman road behind Whitehall. A short off-road excursion perhaps, but quite satisfying in a small way. It was I'm ashamed to say the first time that I've ridden off-road this year. I've been running at least once a week, and I have been out on the road bike when I can, but for the past few months work has taken priority, hence the lack of blog posts. So rather than getting out at the weekends having adventures (albeit small ones) I've been working seven days a week with occasional twelve hour days during the week. Although we need the extra money (house repairs for a start, and Dani is starting university soon) I'll be glad when the overtime finishes so I can go back to getting out and having a life.

Paul.

First road ride of 2015.

I've been rubbish over the winter, not getting out and doing much at all as my waistline will confirm. So last week I went out for a short off-road run (running on paved surfaces is frankly dull!) and today I dug out the Pompi for a short ride.
Leaving the house at 10.50 I headed north out of Buxton, turning off Fairfield Road and the A6 heading along Waterswallows, past the tip and rode Liver'n'bacon Lane (I can never remember its proper name but it avoids the fastest part of the A6) to Dove Holes where I re-joined the A6. Then down to the roundabout, first exit, drop down the woody hill and turn off into Chapel. A short climb up the high street then out towards Whaley. A couple of female cyclists pulled out from Combs in front of me, they looked serious so I hoped to draft them (totally fair in my book, they had gears, I haven't) for a while as the wind was getting a bit strong... However they were coasting along a little too slowly for my liking even though the gradient was dropping. I did think that they would put the hammer down as we were heading downhill, so stayed back thinking that if I overtook them they would cruise past further on when I hit the maximum speed that my one gear would allow. But they showed no interest in speeding up, so I span the pedals and upped my pace. I have to say that I took no pleasure in passing them, I felt it could come across as macho behaviour which isn't my style (I hope!).
Down to the crossroads at Whaley Bridge and left up Long Hill. Which today really lived up to its name...
A strong headwind only got worse with height, which probably explains why I saw no-one else climbing and plenty of smiling thin-tyred folk descending. Still, it can only help build strength and endurance. Probably.
Not wanting to stop on the way up I ground it out, pedals turning slower and slower, stomach feeling emptier and emptier despite a hearty bowl of porridge for breakfast, head staying down ignoring the fine views all around on a fine spring morning. On reaching the summit I stopped for a moment, did up my jacket against the wind and took a single photograph;

Downhill at last! Looking form the summit of Long Hill towards Buxton.

Then its (mostly) freewheeling back into Buxton, followed by a stiff climb up to my house arriving at 12.20, exactly one and a half hours later and totally pooped. Now I could re-fuel, large mugs of tea and hot cross buns being the order of the day.

Should my legs feel up to it I'll be off for a run down in the Goyt tomorrow.

Paul.

Snowshoeing in the Goyt Valley.

This week we've had snow. Quite a lot of it in fact, enough to cause panic Thursday morning, and enough to cover the moors in a thick layer of the soft white stuff. Which meant that we had enough to make it worth getting out the snowshoes for the first time in a couple of winters.

Dani had to stay at home today working, so a phone call to our friend Debbie with the offer of the use of Dani's snowshoes and I had a walking partner for the morning. I'm normally quite happy to walk alone, but sometimes a bit of company is nice (other than Small Dog).

I parked (read dumped in a pile of snow) the Landy on the Burbage end of the Old Macc. Road, gave Debbie a quick 'how to' on putting on snowshoes and we were off. We walked across Goyt's Moss, generally heading East, towards the Goyt's Clough road, then turned North heading for Errwood Reservoir before heading over to Wild Moor.

Debbie at the start of the walk.

We noted a car which had left the road and rolled a few times before coming to a stop halfway down a steep bank. Its not a road that I would drive in the snow despite being confident in my driving and in my vehicle. We did see a few 4x4s driving along, as well as a couple of mountain bikers.

Looking down Goyt's Clough. The bridge leads up to the road on the left.

The snow was deep, which is good, but soft so I fitted the optional tails to my snowshoes but even then I was sinking up to six inches in places. We dropped down to the Wildmoorstone Brook path, then headed SE, went through a secret gate then had a stiff pull up to Burbage Edge, and into a sidewind.

Debbie taking in the scenery.

The view fom Burbage Edge.

Along here we encountered the only souls to be met all day, a hardy fell runner and his Collie. (I'm not counting the off-roaders seen driving along the Goyt's Clough Road towards Derbyshre Bridge). He wasn't the only runner out, we saw the footprints of two others on the moors. Fell runners really are super tough! Following the edge South took us back to the start and my faithfull Landy. It took us about four and a half hours, a bit longer than I initially thought. A good walk, hopefully the snow will hang around for a while yet.

Tools of the trade; MSR Evo Ascent's, fitted with tails. 'Tennis rackets strapped to your feet' they ain't!

Paul.