The day began with Ray and I arriving at Rowsley in the pouring rain, we met up with Andy who had brought his new Santa Cruz Bronson out to play. The route we were taking started from near Caudwell’s Mill and the first ascent of the day came straight away when we headed up the lane towards Lea Moor Wood past the Peacock pub. It was a good way to get the muscles working but it made me realise I must send my old bike in for a service very soon, I had to stop to manually change the gears which left me with oily hands :-).
Our route took us along the edge of Lea Moor Wood and then some fast bits of downhill saw us back down at the river Wye heading along the Bridleway towards the start of the Monsal Trail. Along the trail we went until we reached Hassop Station, a favourite of ours. It would have been rude not to stop for drinks and treats, we used the excuse that it was raining but in reality the lure of cake and coffee is always too great :-).
After we had dried out and left some muddy puddles on the floor of the Station in the process (sorry about that), we got back on our bikes and headed off into the rain. We used the Monsal Trail again for a short while before turning off on the Bridleway which heads over the hill and then down in to Bakewell. It’s a shame about the number of gates along here, there must be about 8-10 on this section which really slows down the fun, obviously I know livestock need keeping in their place but it would be a great downhill route without them :-).
Down in to Bakewell, along the road, past the riverside carpark, under the viaduct at the start of the Monsal trail and up to Coombs Farm. This uphill section of Bridleway is rather enjoyable as the gradient isn’t too steep which allows for good progress. We then swung sharply to the left and the harder ascent began, I’m not ashamed to say that I did get off and push at one point during the climb up in to Lea Moor Wood. Once the climbing had finished I jumped back on and we rode through the pine plantation… Regular viewers, readers and listeners will know I’m a sucker for a pine forest. We continued on through the woods until we reached the gate out in to the open fields where another spot of fast downhill awaited.
I must admit that some of this route would be best done in the opposite direction to which we did it, although there are some great bits of descent in both direction, I think in reverse you would get some more extreme and twisty terrain in places. One of the best bits of downhill going this way is the section in Chatsworth Estate leading down to the road, there is some nice big bumps which were very fun when taken at speed.
We joined the road, went over the cattle grid at the entrance to Calton Lees car park and then came to a stop at the traffic lights. The lights were on red so we stopped for a moment at the ancient bridge over the River Derwent, I remember watching the Network Q RAC Rally on TV when I was younger and seeing the cars jump over here… Anyway, back to the present day.
We turned left after the bridge, headed up the hill, made slow progress past Beeley Hill Top Farm before the Bridleway levels off a little. This is another one of those sections that would probably be best done in the opposite direction, there is some nice rough sections with some big dips which would be very interesting at speed, we however, were making less hair raising progress as we climbed ever upwards.
Once we reached the very top of the hill where the Bridleway joins the road we made our way back downwards in to Hell Bank Plantation. I have seen bikes racing down the forest here before but I have never rode through myself… We inadvertently took a wrong turn somewhere I think but the time we spent in the forest was great fun none the less…. The path just got thinner and thinner until it was un rideable and we had to get off… We chose to get off just after Andy managed to get his foot stuck in his clip-in pedals at the moment gravity decided to show him who is boss. (Check out the video to see it happen – exact time to follow shortly) Andy took a low speed tumble in to some brambles but luckily he and his brand new Santa Cruz Bronson were unharmed… Phew 🙂
We made our way out of the forest, down the road and then picked up the Bridleway down towards Rowsley Wood. After we had negotiated some deep mud and a sea of cow muck we eventually made it into the forest. Another quick direction correction saw us taking in some more excellent downhill. I was in the lead and almost caused a pile up when I went flying through a mud puddle at high speed, failed to make the turn and stopped inches from a rather large rock… Phew, another close one 🙂
After we reappeared from the woods all that was left was the very fast downhill section which comes out in Rowsley across from the entrance to the Peak Village car park. We crossed over the A6, rounded the corner and were back at the cars just near the entrance to Caudwell’s Mill car park. We were drenched, muddy and tired but it had been another thoroughly enjoyable ride. I’m certainly looking forward to getting out on the bikes next time Andy is in town.
After many requests from followers this is my review of the Terra Nova Discovery Bivi, I have done a video review that you can find above but I thought I would accompany it with a quick text review too…. so here goes.
Terra Nova Discovery Bivi/Bivy/Bivvy
I’ve been using a bivvy for around about 9-10 years now while out doing Bushcraft and I’ve begun using it while backpacking over the last few years too. I’ve got a trusty old Army Issue Gore-tex bag which has seen some serious action and is still going strong, my main qualm with it though is the fact it is too bulky and isn’t as light as I would like. I’ve been on a mission this last year to try and lighten the load which I carry, I’ve been loaned some kit by friends and i’ve also made various purchases to help me achieve that magic base weight.
Terra Nova Discovery Bivi between 2 Army Gore-Tex Bags
After doing some research and testing others that my friends have been using The Terra Nova Discovery Bivi/Bivy/Bivvy was my first choice. I found some bags to be too thick, some to be too thin but I was very happy when the Discovery landed on my doorstep. It has a very small pack size of 32x10cm, the pack weight is 640grams so it is barely noticeable in comparison to my Army bag. The first thing I did was take it out in the garden and lay it out underneath my Terra Nova Competition 1 tarp. That was afterall the plan, I would use the Bivy in conjunction with a small tarp if the weather was due to be fowl while out backpacking. I’ve used a bivy in heavy rain before and it’s no fun packing away if you have no cover at all 🙂
Terra Nova Discovery Bivi and Terra Nova Competition 1 Tarp
My first impression when I unpacked it was how smooth the fabric was, It feels thin but reassuringly strong so I knew it would give me no problems when out in heavy rain. I subsequently used it up on Kinder Scout while Wild Camping at Mermaid’s Pool and it kept the rain out perfectly. I had pitched the tarp in the same configuration as in the picture above so I had my feet hanging out of the end. It rained hard for a good few hours and I can honestly say I had no problems with leaking. The unpacked size is 225x88cm which is perfect for me and my rucksack. I’m 180cm tall and the length is just right for me, I also feel that there is plenty of room for movement so I don’t feel claustrophobic.
Terra Nova Discovery Bivi on Kirk Fell with Great Gable in the background
Over the last 5-6 months I have used it on various different occasions. I have used it while out on bushcraft nights with my friends in the forest, We slept on the floor of a pine forest and it got a dusting of ash from the campfire. I have used it on nights in the Peak District and I have also used it while Wild Camping in the Lake District.
Terra Nove Discovery Bivy Zip
One of my favourite things about the bag itself is the zip system. In my Army bag all it has is a draw string that tightens above your head, It can feel rather claustrophobic at times so I was very pleased with the Discovery. I can keep all my kit behind my head and use it as a pillow, then close the zip which is perfectly situated at eye level. I have slept with the zip slightly open and I have also slept with it fully closed (to avoid the midges) and with the bag behind my head it raises the top off my face just nicely. Terra Nova do however recommend that you leave the zip slightly open but that wouldn’t cause a problem as the bag also has a storm flap. The Gore-tex Flo2 fabric certainly does do it’s job as a barrier from the elements and it also lets the air in too so it feels fresh inside.
Terra Nove Discovery Bivy Zip
To summarise…. I have been very happy indeed with the Terra Nova Discovery Bivy. It is a great product, a great size, a low weight and it comes in at a very reasonable price for the quality you are getting. Another nice thing about the bag is that it is made right here in the UK and more specifically in Derbyshire. It feels very well constructed with all the hallmarks of quality that we come to expect from Terra Nova products. The seams are nicely sealed on the inside and you can tell it has been made with care and not just thrown together quickly like some outdoor kit I have used from other manufacturers. I would highly recommend this bag to anyone who is in the market for a Bivi/Bivy/Bivvy (I never know which is the correct spelling :-)). In my eyes it is ideal for Backpacking, Wild Camping, Bushcraft Nights and #MicroAdventures. Whatever your reason for getting out there I don’t think you could do any better than the Discovery Bivy.
Wild Country Zephyros 1, Terra Nova Discovery Bivy & Competition 1 Tarp on Kinder Scout
In this video my mate Andy and I head out on the bikes around Ladybower. We set off from Fairholmes and headed north along Ladybower, Derwent and Howden dams to Slippery Stones and the back down the eastern side to the Ashopton Viaduct. We then proceeded along the southern side of Ladybower before crossing the Snake Road. We then headed up hill to enjoy an awesome spot of downhill back to Fairholmes. Keep your eyes pealed at 15mins 15seconds 🙂 At the end of the video I have included a quick Drum N Bass remix that I made using Logic. Enjoy
Sadly I didn’t take many images today as my phone was locked away in my bag to stay dry. It rained for quite a while during the day as you can see from the video. I only took one image as we were walking up past Hag Farm pushing the bikes :-).
It was a great day out an I really enjoyed riding some great sections of Downhill on my bike. I’m complete newbie when it comes to proper downhill but I’ve got the bug now. After we had finished riding we headed to our usual haunt down in Hope… The Woodbine Cafe
A wet and windy walk along the Northern Edge of Kinder Scout from the Birchin Clough car park. We headed through the Snake Plantation and then up the Ashop Valley to pay a visit to part of the Sabre Jet Wreckage on our way up. The cloud was down to around 450metres so we enjoyed a typical misty walk along the edge of the Plateau to Fairbrook Naze. We descended via FairBrook and finished off a great day by visiting the Woodbine Cafe in Hope 🙂
I set myself a little mission a few years ago, not something that is easily done but one i wish to complete none the leas… the mission was to walk every hill and every route in the Dark Peak area of the Peak District. crazy idea really but it’s one that gives me constant enjoyment and I have a very convenient way of keeping track. The method I have been using is the Combi Map feature over on ShareYourAdventure.com. Phil Sorrell is the genius behind “Social Hiking” and if you haven’t already I would highly recommend you head on over and have a look.
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My starting point for today was the car park at the Langsett Reservoir, it’s an area that very familiar to me as I lived for a year at the nearbye village of Wharncliffe Side. I attended school in Stocksbridge and we spent many a happy hour on our bikes riding around the roads an up on to the moors.
I headed west through the forest and along the track that weaves its way to Hordron Clough, I then dropped down to the bridge over the river where I had my first break while enjoying the tranquility.
The route then climbed up in to the moors past grouse shooting butts where I found empty shotgun shells and discarded litter. I removed the litter but left the shotgun shells incase… Well… You never know.
I then climbed up on to Howden Moor where the view opened up in front of me. I had amazing 360views of the surrounding area and the weather was perfect at this point. I had originally planned to head over to the Horse Stone and then back to Outer Edge but when I spotted the Crow Stones I knew I had to there for lunch.
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When you reach Crow Stones Edge you are treated to a stunning view down in to the Upper Derwent Valley. You can see the Howden and Derwent Reservoirs and pick out the River Derwent weaving its way to meet them. It was a little hazy today but I could pick out Win Hill and Lose Hill in the distance. I was completely mesmerised by the view so I ended up having lunch perched on a rock looking down the valley for over an hour.
After my extended lunch on Crow Stones Edge I walked across the moor towards Outer Edge, I was about half way across when I noticed I was being followed. A rather inquisitive Grouse was in hot pursuit so I stopped to let him catch up. Sadly it seemed like he was injured and I was uncertain about what to do. I had considered trying to catch him but he wouldn’t let me near him. I think he may had had an injured wing as he was attempting to fly but wasn’t getting very far. He followed me to the base of Outer Edge and then turned away. Maybe he was chasing me off 🙂
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I climbed up to the Trig Point above Outer Edge, took the obligatory and then headed south towards Margery Hill. I then took the Cut Gate Bridleway just before Margery Hill that heads down towards Mickledon Edge. I hope to return to this path very soon while cycling the Kinder Loop, my friend Andy and I plan to do this route in a few weeks time.
In no time at all I was back down at Langsett Reservoir where I had a nice gentle stroll through the woods that line the southern bank. There is a path that skirts right along the edge for a while before you have to rejoin the main road that runs along the reservoir wall. Before I knew it I was back where I started approximately 6 hours and 12 miles later.
I must say I really enjoyed this route. The combination of the stunning views up top and the near deserted route up made for a thoroughly enjoyable day. My next walk is hopefully going to be to finish off the southern section of the Limestone Way. I recently walked the northern part from Matlock to Castleton and you can find that post at http://www.peakroutes.com/blog/peak-district-limestone-way-matlock-to-castleton/. The southern section will take me from Matlock down to Rocester via Tissington and the mouth of Dove Dale.
My daughter and I walked up on to Kinder Scout to wild camp at a spot I’d wanted to revisit for a long while… The Legendary Mermaid’s Pool. I went in search of the mermaid in order to be granted eternal life, sadly she was nowhere to be seen 🙂 Amy used my trusty Wild Country Zephyros 1 and I used a Terra Nova Discovery Bivvy with a Competition Tarp.
Just a quick note.. I’ve had a few questions about my nose injury. It was a very rock n roll accident, I was hit in the face by the clothes prop when hanging out the washing 🙂 #Hardcore
This is my 100th YouTube Video, It will also double up as my Channel Trailer. It is a collection of footage from the last few years which hold some great memories for me. there is snippets from walks in the Peak District, adventures in the Lake District, The West Highland Way in Scotland and also a few from local walks or rides. I had so many memories and footage to choose from I had to be pretty strict.
I knew I had to attempt to pull something out of the bag for this one so I have also layered it all over a Drum & Bass Remix I made especially for the video. I use a sample from the Gladiator Soundtrack from the track “The Wheat”, you may also notice I have included a quick remake of that scene towards the start of this movie. I hope you enjoy it 🙂
There are places in the Peak District that conjure up great memories for me, time spent with family, time spent with friends or even time spent all on my lonesome. It’s great to go back to visit these places once in a while, to relive those times or to refresh my memory. So… With that in mind it was long overdue that a paid a visit to a place that holds a lot of memories for me, Wharncliffe Side.
My family and I lived for a year in Wharncliffe Side at a pub there called the Blue Ball. My mother and step father worked for a company called Tom Cobleigh and they were posted there to run the pub, so we moved from sunny Derbyshire to South Yorkshire. It was back in 1995 and I was an 11yr old kid finding his feet in new place. I quickly made new friends with whom I would head off on the bikes with for hours on end. We would cycle up hill and down dale, float down rivers in our dingy, swim in the local reservoirs and basically enjoy everything the surrounding landscape had to offer. Although Wharncliffe Side isn’t strictly inside the National Park itself, the boundary runs just to the west. This is the place I got my first taste of the moors and camped out in the hills at my friends farm.
My friend Ray and I decided to head out for a last minute camp when we noticed the weather was due to be favourable. We grabbed our army issue bivvy bags, picked up a few beers and headed out to enjoy what was to be one of the most amazing sunsets I’ve ever seen. The location for the wild camp this time was Bamford Edge in the Peak District. The music used in this movie is an unnamed creation that I made a few years ago with Propellerheads Reason.. I’m a big fan of Enigma so the track was made in a chilled out Enigma style.
It’s always great to get out in the Peak District, even if it’s only for a very short time. A few of my twitter friends had planned a 2 day walk in the western Peak and I couldn’t resist the temptation to join them for at least one night. I finished work at 19:00, met them at the Cat & Fiddle, camped up on Shining Tor in my trusty Army Goretex Bivvy Bag, awoke at 04:45 and then headed to work for 07:00. It was a great night with great company.
Peak District Routes 