Meerbrook Trail Run.

This morning saw me in the tiny Staffordshire village of Meerbrook for Round 3 of Dark & Whites Autumn Series. Again I was running the long course, 16.8k, but on my own as Dani, who was entered in the short course, is currently laid up with a chest infection. I didn't expect to do well today due to a lack of sleep during the week, the fact that I didn't have time to recce the course and a 40+k fatbike ride yesterday.

It was a beautifull morning for a run, with a bit of frost on the ground and the kind of visibility that you only seem to get on those rare winter days. The course started with a loop around Tittesworth Reservoir then through fields heading for the Roaches. Once past the climbers hut we headed into the woods, picking our way over roots and around boulders, before climbing on a short rocky path up to the sound of cowbells (not actual cowbells but hexes on a climbers harness) onto and along the top of the Roaches themselves. Along here I managed to get some distance between myself and some others who were ahead of me, as I enjoyed the peaty rocky technical running. On this type of terrain you do need to keep your eyes on your line, but when you could look up the views were glorious! A full 360 degree panorama, looking over the Cheshire plains, Jodrell Bank, Shutlingsloe, the Staffordshire Moorlands... someone later told me that you could see 5 counties this morning including some Welsh mountains. It was the only time on a race when I wish that I had a camera with me. Eventually the track dropped down, on flagstones, towards a gated road and a herd of cows. Even running on tarmac was a pleasure, although a brief one as soon the course led us over fields and through farmyards. By now my legs were complaining despite my having eaten a couple of gels, in fact the last kilometre was actually quite painfull.

I finished in a time of 1:56:57, in 82nd place overall (out of 136 finishers) and 20th out of 24 in my age group, not as good as I would have hoped but I knew that I wouldn't do well today. But I had a great time, covered new ground and enjoyed stunning views.

Paul.

Global Fat Bike Day.

Today was Global Fat Bike Day, when fat bike owners from all around the world go out and ride their bonkers bikes, either on their own or in a group. For some reason I thought it might be a good idea to organise a ride in my local area. Leading a ride is something that I'd never done before, and I have to say I was rather apprehensive. What if no-one turned up, or too many, or they didn't like the route, or someone came along who hasn't ridden for years and had just bought a fatbike, or turned up on a badly maintained machine, or... you get the idea. In the end I decided to just not worry and see how the day panned out.

The route that I planned to ride is one that I know well, so there could be plenty of escape options if the weather turned 'interesting' or someone suffered a fall or mechanical. And there would be two options, either 25k or 40k, the split point being being close to Buxton and easy to navigate back from. In the end everyone wanted to do the full route, which I was more than happy with as the best riding came after the split.

The meet was at Buxton station (easy to find and good parking) at 10am. Three riders turned up, Paul, Ivan and Tony, which made a nice sized group. Leaving town started with a climb, but every route out of Buxton involves climbing, heading out on Long Hill and around the back of Whitehall outdoor centre. Ladder Hill wasn't as wet as usual, nor was it frozen as I thought it might be, but Paul managed to make quite a splash on his Ice Cream Truck;

We headed down to Taxal, and through the ford, Here's Ivan, who enjoyed it so much he rode through twice;

A mix of farm tracks and bridlepaths took us into the woods at Fernilee;

Thats Tony and Paul riding and chatting.

From the woods its a long but pretty tarmac ride to Derbyshire Bridge, where we refueled and Paul pumped some extra air into his massive tyres;

Derbyshire Bridge was the split point, left for Buxton right for the C&F and the wilder part of the ride. We of course turned right and headed across the moors at Danebower Hollow to join the Congleton road and then onto Cumberland Brook. This section of the ride is pretty gnarly, starting with a superb rocky track through sheep country which leads to the excellent Cumberland Brook downhill. I rode ahead to take some photos;

By this time my legs were getting rather empty, and there were a few steep tarmac climbs to clear before the next section, and great little downhill close to Macclesfield Forest. More climbing followed on the way back to the C&F, then onto the Old Macc. Road, our last off-road section of the day. Feeling tired and mindfull of the fact that I fell off the last time I rode down there I took it easy, then it was just a short ride tinto town and hot chocolate and cake in the Green Pavillion cafe;

(My lens steamed up!)

I had a fantastic ride, all my fears were unfounded as everyone said that they really enjoyed the day as well. Would I do it again? Yes, perhaps in the Spring, in a different part of the Peaks.

Thanks to Paul Tony and Ivan for their company.

Paul.

A brief break in Betsw-y-Coed.

Life rolls on. Adventure can get pushed aside by the pressures of work, we try, and often succeed, to find time to get out and play, but sometimes you need to get out of your locale and play in a different sandpit. Last weekend we did just that.

Friday saw us pack up, head west and spend a couple of nights in the Vagabond bunkhouse in the Welsh honeytrap that is Betsw-y-Coed. We arrived in the cold, ate in the cold (dogs weren't allowed in our ill-chosen restaurant so we sat outside with our burgers wrapped in down under heat lamps) and slept in a damned hot room! A case of not wanting to upset our room-mate by turning the heater down, who in turn didn't want to upset us by turning the heater down... Saturday morning saw us make a rough plan over our cooked breakfast, which changed and changed again. Running was our agenda, Moel Siabod a likely goal, which was thwarted by a lack of preparation. We didn't have the appropiate map with us. Next plan, up the Miners and down the Pyg, with the option of the summit if we felt like it. But thwarted again we were as the bunkhouse owner told of snow and ice on high ground and the need for axe and crampon. We had neither, nor did we know just what the higher ground held as we arrived in darkness and did no research before leaving. So a plan C was planned, a low level run, short but interesting on ground new to us.

We set off in glorious but cold weather, heading west to Beddgelert. As we drove we could see the peaks, Siabod looked do-able but potentially icy on its northern face, Snowdon snowy on its higher flanks but possibly ok as well. (We later learned that it was ok with care, but someone had taken a fall that afternoon).

Parking in a layby near the copper mine we crossed the Glaslyn and headed upstream to Llyn Dinas on an easy path, then took a right up a stony track leading to Grib Ddu. The higher we climbed the wilder the terrain and the better the views, running being interrupted by snapshots and mapchecks (not always necessary but good practice nonetheless). We reached a saddle, the path went downhill, industrial relics were in evidence and, we saw the sea! Running down took longer than usual as prudence suggested we walked some rocky sections and I stopped to photograph a series of rope haulage towers, an important reminder of this regions industrial past. Down we went, reaching woodland and the Aberglaslyn Pass, before heading north alongside the Glaslyn on a rocky riverside path, stopping every now and then to take photos and spot lines (not that I could run that section, even in my best kayaking form). Our path skirted Beddgelert, and deposited us on a back road that led us to the copper mine, and our waiting car. Our run was a total of nine kilometres long and took us a shade over the 300 metre contour. And whilst it wasn't in any way hard, we enjoyed superb weather, explored new ground, saw the sea(!) and enjoyed just being outside together. A part of me did wish that we'd explored one of our first two options (running up Snowdon is on my list), but we'll be back another time.

Llyn Dinas. Note the frost in the foreground.

On higher ground, heading for the saddle.

Snapshot of a snapshot.

Once a quarry.

Left to rust, a reminder that industry once thrived in the Welsh hills.

Alongside the Glaslyn.

Betsw-y-Coed was still cold on our return in the afternoon, but cake and hot drinks in the Alpine cafe warmed us. Later we drove down to see a friend of ours in Cwm-Penmachno, then back to town for pizza (we found a dog-friendly pizzeria) and bed.

Sunday was our biking day. First of all though we headed back to Cwm-Penmachno so the dogs could be walked in the abandoned slate quarry, we wanted them to let off some steam as they would be spending a fair amount of time shut in the car. Then back to Bobs for tea and chat.
Copious amounts off tea drunk and chins fully wagged we headed back up the road to ride the Penmachno trail. Dani's never ridden in Wales before, and although I have visited a fair few Welsh trail centres over the years I'd never got to ride this one (although I have been around the nearby Marin). Fire road climbs are never particulary pleasant, but finding one at the start of a trail at least ensures that you're fully warmed up when you do hit the first singletrack section. We don't have much of the narrow stuff in the Peaks, and our visits to trail centres rare, so it came as no suprise that we're both out of practice when the trail slims down, so we opted for the shorter 20k(ish) loop. Dani didn't care for the drop-offs and step-downs, her confidence still hasn't quite returned after crashing and cracking a few ribs when racing at Cannock, not helped by her brakes being a tad lacking in power. By the end though she felt and rode much better, although we both agree that some coaching would help.

Fat bike thin trail.

The trails were actually quite dry, which I'm informed is rare for this trail, apart from one exposed high section which seemed mostly underwater. Like most purpose built trails it comprises of singletrack sections joined by fire roads, which are also used to gain height. I liken trail centres to a trip around Ikea, you're never quite sure of where exactly you are in the store/forest as the trail weaves around and around in disorientating fashion. One feature that stood out for me was how different each section was, for example one part of trail being an exposed gnarly rockfest, another sweet swoopy woodland singletrack, followed by a bonkers pump track leading to exposed smooth flowing loveliness.

Blimey, a girl on a mountain bike!

Dani admiring the view on her pink hardtail.

Before we needed waterwings...

Funny how I never stop to photo the really gnarly bits...

We did meet a couple of other mtb'ers, from Yorkshire, towards the end, and another biker hooning alone, but apart from those three we had the place to ourselves. Once our ride was over and we'd changed, disguising ourselves as normal respectable folk, it was off back to B-y-C for hot drinks and cake in the Alpine (nice place, good drinks, excellent cake, and dog friendly) before the drive home.

We had a really nice weekend away, and were lucky with the weather. Hopefully we'll be back in the spring for more small adventures.

Paul.

First fatbike snow ride.

Last night (Tuesday night) it snowed. So as I'm on late shift this week I set the alarm for 7.30 ready for an early ride before breakfast. As it was I got out of bed at 7.20, ate a banana, then out I went on my fatbike. The route I chose was short and local, heading over to Dove Holes and looping around the back of a quarry. Its not particulary taxing, rather a nice little bimble when time is short or legs are tired. But that made it ideal for my first time in snow on the fatbike, I could concentrate on the ride without worrying about big rocks and technical climbs etc.

I've recently swapped the tyres on the bike as I don't think that the supplied Jumbo Jim's, good as they are on hardpack, would be much use in snow and mud. On the front is a Spesh Ground Control, chosen for its extra size and confident tread pattern, and on the rear I've fitted an On-One Floater, chosen because it was £21 in a sale. I'd reduced the tyre pressures to 7 psi front and rear, usually I run them slightly harder but I figure that riding in snow would require less pressure and therefore more grip.

Silly name, but what do you expect from the company that named its first three bikes Runt Gimp and Inbred?

So, leaving the house I headed onto the golf course up the road, well the byway that runs through it rather than riding up the fairway (tempting though that is...). A short grassy climb showed a slight loss of grip on the rear, but nothing of concern.

Golf course byway.

After the byway a short tarmac ride, where I had a brief chat to a hardy runner carrying a large backpack, I reached the second off-road section, another byway. Along there I skirted around some puddles, went through others, and noted how the snow covers up any rocks or lumps, making for an interesting ride..

At the end I crossed a road and headed up another track. This was in fact a public footpath, but one so wide that you could easily drive a lorry up it, yet according to the law of the land I shouldn't have cycled along it. Another example of our strange access laws, which to my mind need updating.

This is in fact a Public Footpath, albeit a very wide one. Under the snow is a well-kept gravel track.

About halfway along this PF is a ninety degree bend, which I took quite gingerly as changing direction like that in snow on a bike is something that I'm a bit nervous of.
From the PF I headed towards Dove on tarmac, along a side road which I can never remember the name of so its known in our house as Liver'n'bacon Lane. Anyway, the views over towards Combs Moss took my mind off the slush and cold water that my tyres were throwing up onto my ill-protected legs. As did these coos;

Through Dove next, along the A6, then once past the village but before the road dips down to the roundabout I turned right up a UCR and onto the longest off-road section of the ride.This makes its way around a quarry and starts off as a typical farm track (more puddles) before turning to a wide stretch of gravel;

Around the quarry.

Along here I was on virgin snow, enjoying the continous crunch of snow under 4" wide rubber, the only other tracks belonging to wildlife;

Grouse if I'm not mistaken.

Seeing such tracks is one of the joys of winter wanderings.

Along this track I encountered the deepest snow yet, about 3-4", which made handling interesting, so interesting in fact that I fell off. It seems that I had too much air in the front tyre and once I'd stopped a couple of times to let a bit out the handling improved somewhat. I checked the pressure after I got home and found it to be 5 psi. The back I left alone.

Virgin snow!

This UCR does rise and fall, the climbs being short and stiff in places and the descents fast and loose. Except today the descents were taken with a greater than usual degree of care, at a slightly slower pace.

At the end of the UCR I turned right again onto a bridlepath, were we once disturbed a rare bird sunning itself on the ground whilst being admired and photographed by a gaggle of twitchers. But there were no birders around today, just more puddles to skirt around until I reached a farmyard where an emerging farmer did a classic double take on seeing me ride through on what is quite an unusual bike.

On exiting the farmyard I headed up towards Peak Dale, with its steep tarmac climb, and back onto Liverythingy Lane to retrace my steps and return home. I did spot hares haring about, always a welcome sight and quite common in the fields around these parts. I've even seen hares on the golf course.

An enjoyable ride, but also a valuable learing experience;
Riding in snow is a bit harder than normal, and slower as well. Todays ride, which was about 20k, took about 35 minutes longer than it usually would. I might consider fitting a smaller chainring as well (the bike is 1x11).
Tyre pressures need to be quite a bit lower than I would normally use.
My wardrobe needs updating. Baggy shorts over Ron Hills over padded shorts just ain't good enough! And warmer gloves are a must as my hands were bloomin' cold! My feet were ok though, I wore unfashionable neoprene overshoes over my mtb shoes.

As I type this the snow has all but gone, so I'm glad that I seized the moment and got out whilst I could.

Paul.

Bakewell Trail Run.

Today saw me in Bakewell competing in the second round of Dark & White Events Autumn Series. Again I was entering the long course event, 16.2k around Bakewell running through the Haddon and Chatsworth estates on a variety of footpaths and bridlepaths, with just a hint of tarmac.

Arriving in the rain wasn't particulry pleasant I have to say, despite the fact that I enjoy a bit of weather when running. Here's the view from the Landy on arrival;

The start times are staggered on the long course between 8.30 and 9.30am, and as last time I elected to start quite late at 9.20. There were quite few runners doing the same, most of which shot off quite quickly. I'd recce'd the course a couple of times, which obviously came in usefull as I knew to keep a steady pace at the start and save a bit of energy for later.

The course started with a steady climb before dropping down to Rowsley, I resisted the temptation to chase down a few that overtook me and kept running comfortably at a decent pace. I set my GPS Garmin watch to 'pace' and used it to make sure that I wasn't dropping my pace or overdoing it, I know roughly how fast I should be running on different terrain and gradients.

Grassy fields and muddy tracks led to Calton Lees, and the feed station where we were required to 'dib' our timers. Being a feed station meant food and water was available, being a self-sufficient type (I carried water and gels in my bum bag) meant that I could save a bit of time by just dibbing and smartly moving on. It seems that quite a few stopped as after the feed station I caught and moved past a fair few others. This next section was the start of a steady climb which got gradually steeper, knowing this I downed a gel on the move. A chap in front was leaning against a fence stretching his calves, as I moved past he fell in behind me, breathing heavily. He then dropped back, caught up again before dropping away, obviously trying to hold my pace, and failing.

At Calton Houses the gradient kicked up, some walked, I ran steadily on through the hamlet and onto Calton Pastures, where the route headed west before turning south east and into Manners Wood. Being high open ground meant that we were open to the worst of the weather, which suited me fine as I rather enjoy headwinds mud and rain, moving along at a decent lick with a big smile on my face, overtaking a couple of far tougher looking competiters.

Into the woods and the mud got deeper, this being a well used bridlepath, I skipped around where possible but ploughed straight through when neccessary, and when it was fun to do so. There's a steep descent, with added roots and rocks, in these woods, which I have to say that I flew down with scant regard for ankles, whooping with the fun of it, passing the more cautious, enjoying the freedom of running fast downhill.

Once out of the woods the route turned to a wide stony farm track, then muddy fields, and finally a short steep tarmac downhill led to the final stretch. I stomached a final gel ready for more muddy fields leading back to the Agricultural Centre. This last section was flat, apart from the clamber over a fallen tree, a welcome obstacle!

I crossed the finish line in 1:34:37. My aim was for a sub 2 hour run, preferably sub 1 hour 50. So I'm rather pleased with myself. I came in in 60th place out of 139 finishers, 10th in my age group (out of 17).

I'm also rather pleased with my new shoes. When I recce'd the course last weekend my Salomon Fellraisers started creaking, arriving back at the car I noticed that the sole had come away on the right shoe in the instep. So I quickly ordered a new pair of Speedtraks (which are updated Fellraisers) online, not something that I'd usually do as I prefer to try shoes on before buying. They arrived on Wednesday, I went for a spin in them on Thursday, and got them covered in mud today. I'm pleased to say that they performed admirably, I just hope that they last longer the the 500k that the old shoes managed...

Paul.

A little bit of new ground.

Sometimes (actually quite often) I feel the urge to explore, to ride or run somewhere new. Today I acted on this urge, heading off after work to ride a local track that I've known about for years but had so far left untouched.
To get to the track I rode out of town up the Old Macc. Road, always a steep rocky challenge which I'm pleased to say that I cleaned. On reaching the Cat & Fiddle (still closed) I headed south on a fast moorland bridlepath across Danebower Hollow, joining the A54.

Along Danebower Hollow. Shutlingsloe can just be seen in the distance.

I followed the A54, which is the UK's most dangerous road, for about a kilometre, before turning off right at this sign;

Slightly misleading,the track is actually a UCR rather than a public footpath. Anyway, this is the sign and the track that I was looking for. Around the corner lies unexplored country;

What lies around that corner?

I rode on, not knowing what to expect. It started like this;

Here be monsters. Or sheep...

The Peaks can feel quite hemmed in, even the wildest spaces often feel too close to civilisation either by geography or by the presence of other outdoor enthusiasts. This track felt wild. Its obviously well used, at a guess by off-road motorcyclists in the main, but I saw no one else, just a few hardy sheep. Being surrounded by bleak moorland hills helped with the sense of isolation. The track itself started off quite mild, as per the photo above, then turned to loose stone, with mtb friendly singletrack along one side. All rather special. After a kilometre it crossed Cumberland Brook and headed east at a junction with a public footpath. This junction was particulary picturesque, with a little waterfall behind a berry tree begging out to be photographed, but today the light was too poor to do the scene justice.

I was now on familiar ground, having run along the footpath whilst heading to Shutlingsloe from the C&F. Riding is different though, and I enjoyed an exciting descent through rocks, down steps and over roots, 'relax you're on a fat bike' being the mantra running through my head (4" tyres do a great job of riding over stuff, and of inspiring confidence!). Through a gate, then a little more rocky fun down to a ford. Tarmac is reached, and followed up to the C&F (I missed a section of off-road, due to being a clot). On reaching the A537 I must confess to riding a short section of footpath, from the tea room to the C&F, mainly because it cut out a corner on the road. Finally I was back on the Old Macc. Road, bouncing down the techy descent one last time before heading across town for tea and toast and honey.

The Old Macc. Road, looking back towards the C&F.

A jolly good ride, which I'm itching to repeat.

Paul.

The Stanage Struggle.

Out to Hathersage today, to take part in the Stanage Struggle fell race. An unusually warm September morning made me wish that I was far better hydrated, a lot less tired and that I hadn't touched any beer last night...

The race left Hathersage at 11am, winding up through fields at first before heading into tree-lined tracks. I started at the back, not looking for places or times, just a good experience. Soon a road was crossed, and the track turned to blocks of stone cutting through bracken, all the time gaining height. Sometimes we ran, sometimes we walked. Before long we clambered up rocks, passing cheering climbers, up onto Stanage Edge and flat(ish) running along the top, dodging rocks and peaty puddles. All the time I was moving up places, although a few moved past me.
Dropping down off the edge was steep at first, then pleasant running along rocky singletrack though more bracken, the foliage obscuring the path at times making progess a little tricky. Along a road, through more fields and we're back in Hathersage, sprinting down a side road before finishing in a school field.

I thoroughly enjoyed myself, finishing the 9.7k course with a huge grin on my face and peaty mud up my legs in an hour and five, putting me in 218th place out of 301 finishers. Afterwards Dani and myself headed into Outside (an outdoor shop with a cafe upstairs) where I demolished a plate of chips and cheese along with a mug of tea, and leaving with a book of maps detailing the coast to coast mountain bike route.

Pre-race coolness...

Paul.

Totley Moor revisited.

I last did this ride back in 2014, and this week I decided that it was time for another visit. Last time I rode my cheapo s/s 29er, this time the weapon of choice was the fat bike.

With fair weather and dry ground under my wheels it looked set to be an enjoyable, if short romp, and so it was. I suprised myself by riding the route from memory, without recourse to map, with no unplanned diversions or even any moments of doubt. As for the ride, a moorland trail led to sweet sweet singletrack contouring around a hill, fields stony with added moo-cow blockade (they moved eventually, in their own time) more sweet trail centresque singletrack, a ford, some uphill tarmac (time for reflection), a lovely technical ascent leading onto Houndkirk Road. Houndkirk Road was super fun, some rocky sections which most would avoid gave opportunities for rock crawling, some sections were rode flat out, on others I deliberately rode bad lines, and every now and then I got air, not much but enough for someone who prefers both wheels on the ground.

The whole ride was only 12k, but despite being a short ride I thoroughly enjoyed myself and drove home with a smile on my face.

I only took two photos today;

Totley Moor, looking towards Sheffield.

Houndkirk Lane.

Paul.

Goyt Valley Trail Run.

September is here, and with it the first round of Dark & White Events Autumn series of trail races. These events have two different length courses, when I did the Spring series I competed in the short course races but this time I've entered the long course events.

Today's race was in the Goyt Valley, starting and finishing at Errwood Sailing Club. Whilst the short course runners had a mass start the long course competitors went out in staggered intervals between 8.30am and 9.30am. I chose to start quite late at 9.20, partly so that I wouldn't be overtaken too many times by later starters and could chase down earlier starters, and partly to give myself a few extra minutes in bed.

Conditions were good, in fact from my point of view too good, being warm and sunny when a bit of drizzle would have helped me cool off, especially as I was a tad overdressed (well, its usually a bit grim when I run in the Goyt).

The course started off with a tarmac climb before heading south off road towards moorland, firstly on wide tracks then through rocky singletrack with some boggy sections. I don't mind a bit of mud during a race, if you're prepared to motor through rather than skip around you can make up a few places and save a few seconds. A bridge reached, then north firstly on tarmac then through wooded paths and stony tracks, climbing through a car park with an awkward surface, then past the feed station and through more woodland on a fire road. Now we pass farms on the way to Taxal, over the River Goyt, and start the return leg back to Errwood. This section was very familiar to me, I've ran it and rode it on various occasions over the years. Fields now, following the river, crossing it again, climbing up and heading for Fernilee Reservoir. Once at the dam its easy running home, dodging dog walkers then a steep slope just before the finish.

I finished in 55th place out of 121 runners in a time of 1:49:19. The course was 17.4k long.

Dani raced today as well, doing the short course. She finished in 5th place with a time of 32:49
We are both quite happy with our efforts, although my legs are now shot!

Paul.

The Tour of Britain.

Tour time this week, and again we have the route passing close by. So Dani and myself rode out of town up the Old Macc. Road to the Cat & Fiddle, which was the top of the third of todays King of the Mountain stage. The riders would be coming up from Macclesfield then turning off and heading towards Congleton and down to Tatton Park.

The climb out of Buxton on the O.M. Road is steep and quite tricky, with lots of loose rock to stall your front wheel. I haven't ridden it for a while, and have only cleaned it a couple of times (on my Kona full bouncer). Today I was on the fat bike, and made it up with only one dab, as did Dani on her White hardtail (now fitted with new wheels, tubeless rims on pink Hope hubs).

We rode up to the pub, which for quite a few months has been closed. But beer was to be had, from an inflatable pub in the car park...

I didn't succomb today, although the irony of buying beer in a pop up pub in a pub car park did have an odd appeal. However we did both pick up free cowbells from a holiday stall. Dani got a bit carried away ringing hers...

We chose a spot just down from the C&F, as the KOM finish line outside the pub and the corners were crowded and I wanted to take a few pics. Like this one;

After the usual procession of course cars and motorcycles (what do they all do?) the breakaway group of Stannard, Briggs and House came through with a six and a half minute lead over the peloton came past, Stannard (on the left) smiling and looking comfortable;

Judging by the camera bike looking straight at me I must have been on the telly (again). Dani's on the left of the photo.

Here's the peloton coming through, two Team Sky riders at the head;

We enjoyed a fun ride back, down the Old Macc. Road again, then headed to our favourite Buxton cafe (The Green Pavilion) for tea and cake.

A good day out, and a rare chance for Dani and myself to cycle together (she's normally hammering her road bike and I'm usually either running or out on the fatbike).

Paul.