Xmas day ride

My wife Dani tends to work Christmas day, which is fine, and it means that she gets a decent block of time off afterwards. So, I'm left to amuse myself, which usually means a bike ride. So, after walking Polo I got kitted up and headed out.

So, across town I went, up the Old Macc. and to the Cat & Fiddle, then across Danebower;

There was a chill wind, cutting through my gloves, and I was happy to drop down to 3 Shires Head and shelter;

I usually linger here, drink tea and listen to the water, but I read that Flash Stores would be open this morning until 1pm, so I grabbed a quick shot and headed up the permissive bridlepath, turning right and staying on tarmac rather than cross the common, and parked the bike outside the cafe. 

The place was rammed and the queue fairly long. I ordered breakfast and tea, and sat on the corner of a table and waited for my food (it took a while, as I said the place was very busy, but I expected that). It could be argued that busy cafes are better than quiet ones, being forced to sit with strangers means that you end up conversing with people that you wouldn't ordinarily talk to, which must be good for the soul.

Food arrived;

And I had a second brew which they didn't charge for (so I left a decent tip). We've been eating there for years now, off and on, the food and service is always good.

Once I'd finished I hit the tarmac for a couple of windy miles then turned off and went over the moors, crossed a field and finally dropped back into town on the Old Macc.;

Weather wise it was cold but dry, good conditions for a ride even with the wind. So, a pretty decent way to spend Xmas day.

Paul.

Into the mists of time...

Sort of. Out on the bike again today, for a leisurely ride into part of White Peak. 

Across the golf course, through the quarry, down Hardybarn then onto the A6 and up the impossible climb to King Sterndale. Here I stopped to look at the medievel butter cross, used to mark where a market would stand, in this case a dairy market selling butter, eggs etc;

I carried on, stopping at the little church at King Sterndale. I've passed by many times, and today I dismounted and had a look around. The door was unlocked and I stepped inside, something that I rarely do unless I'm at a wedding or funeral, I'm not in the least bit religious and I always feel a bit awkward in churches. The place is really small, but interesting and I'm glad that I paused for a few minutes;

Back on the bike, I headed across fields to Horseshoe Dale;

Dropping down the slope reminded me that I haven't ridden this way for a while, the hawthorn bushes next to the right of way were in desperate need of a trim. I usually carry a pair of secateurs when I'm out this way.

There's a gate to get through, which was in the middle of a river today; 

I did manage to get through without getting me feet wet by climbing onto the gate, hoisting the bike over, then climbing over. Which would have been great if I hadn't stalled the bike in a huge puddle and ended up with water half way up me shins.

Once I left the Dale I headed over to Chelmorton and another hard off-road climb. Here the mist thickened;

Which is fine, I like a bit of mist on a ride. It also made my next stop, Five Wells, just that little bit more atmospheric;

This is a neolithic burial chamber near Taddington, and usually has some impressive views. 

Here I stopped, drank tea, ate a cereal bar or two and enjoyed the solitude.

Carrying on I headed for a couple of decent downhills, the first one ending next to the Waterloo pub (closed). Crossing the A6 I headed for Priestcliffe, and a puddly bermed super fun downhill leading towards Millers Dale. 

Onto the road, up to the Monsal, and my last stop, the cafe at the old station for hot chocolate and a sausage roll;

The return home was easy enough, a short jaunt up the A6, turning off to climb up Woo Dale and across the golf course and home. Strip off in the kitchen throwing the clothes in the washing machine, into the shower, then get dressed and listen to Sabbath; 

A Monday well spent.

Paul.

No more work, out for a spin.

 Thursday was my last day of work for the year (hooray!). So, yesterday I went for a spin.

I left town, up to the C&F then over the moors along a stretch that I know well and try to look after. Last time I was up there I dug and cleared some drains;

And I'm pleased to say they still work, and the looong puddle has almost disappeared;

I was going to ride through an old quarry and over the common, but instead decided to turn left at the end of the track and cut the ride short as I was feeling tired. Despite the extra road work that still left me with a reasonable amount of off-road riding, and still took me to a nice spot to drink tea and watch nothing happen for a few minutes;

After that it was across the field, back down the Old Macc and home for a shower. 

A good ride, and I met a couple of friendly walkers (you meet the best people when the weather turns cold).

Today's bike ratio; 2 e-bikes, 2 regular.

Paul.

Drain check

Rode over to Ladder Hill yesterday, a short ride as I was short on time as I was going to a gig last night.

My aim was to check the drains that I cleared out and the new ones that I dug a few weeks ago.

The first one, a land drain, was flowing well but needed a poke with a stick;

The second and third (pictured below) puddles have drained well; 

The last, corner puddle, needed a poke but that one always takes its time to drain. Looks like the work I did had paid off.

Paul.

Global Fat Bike Day 2025

The first Saturday in December is Global Fat Bike Day, when fatbikers the world over go for a ride, either in a group or solo. I've done a few group rides, and even organised one, but on the whole I ride alone.

I started out planning to ride Ladder Hill to look at the drainage. but 10 seconds into the ride I spotted a chap lying down on the pavement who obviously needed help, so I pulled over. He had taken a fall and was obviously too ill to stand, so I called an ambulance. He was lying on his side, conscious and able to speak, so the best course of action was to leave him where he was and just put my coat over him (possibly a fairly futile gesture, but it felt like the correct thing to do as it was drizzling) and stay with him until an ambulance arrived.

First on the scene was a paramedic in an unmarked Disco, blue lights flashing, who assessed the situation, put a blanket over the chap and made him comfortable sitting him up leaning against a wheelie bin (which I held in place). The paramedic got on his radio to check up on the ambulance, which was only a minute away. Once the ambulance arrived and the chap was safely inside being assessed by the crew I went back home for a brew. 

I decided to do a shorter ride instead, a figure of 8 through the quarry and around the fields, the conditions were changeable and I was worried that I'd missed the window of good weather.

I think I made the right decision, I was already damp from standing in the drizzle so I wanted to dodge the rain and I needed time to think.

A good ride. The drains can wait.

Paul.