any advice for first foray into the peak district

[Simmer]

Hi all,

Some questions for the Northwest riders.

I've done the Wizard a few times times, looping through Prestbury and Bollington back to Ashley/ Tatton. (though Artists Lane and that vertical hill in Bollington still hurt !) and my next challenge is to cycle up into the Peaks.

The routes I know of are Brickworks, Blaze hill (which has a 19%), Whaley Bridge and the infamous Cat & Fiddle. .Are there any other more "gentle" climbs from our side anywhere ? I think there is one the other side of Macc going up to the forest ?

Also, I'm planning on cycling to work to Macc from Knutsford. Has anyone got a suggested route, or is the A537 ok... when I drive past Monks Heath towards Macc down the twisty bit I can't help but feel it would be a bit risky on the bike ? the other routes I know are either over the top of the Edge everyday and via Prestbury (month or 2 of that and the Cat will be childs play) .. or through Holmes Chapel/ Congleton ?

Thanks
Simmer

 

[Hacienda71]

Long Hill from Whaley Bridge is a nice climb although you need to get there first, which is either over The Brickworks or up the A6 which is fine outside normal work hours, but I would avoid on a weekday, You can go up through Langley past The Hanging Gate pub, there is also a climb up through Sutton towards Winkle called Hollin Lane Both of these are accessed via Byrons Lane. Hurdsfield Road B5470 up into Rainow.

The Brickworks is probably the nicest climb. You want to turn left at the top of it and then go right in Kettleshulme up past Wingatherer to get to the Goyt a lovely loop out by the ranger station to the Cat and Fiddle and back down into Macc.

I cycle to Macc from Wilmslow most days and the quietest route is Oak Road through Mottram Saint Andrew (you can ride along the road along bottom of the Edge to get to it) It brings you out past Alderley on the main Alderley to Macc Road. There is very little traffic, the next quietest is The Wizard/Artists. I come home via the A537 and the Alderley bypass fairly often which is a very fast route, I occasionally go in that way for a change and most drivers are fine and give you plenty of space. I did have a very close pass on it though a couple of weeks ago, where I ended slapping the car and swearing at the driver it was so close. To be honest it could have been on any road though. The main road to Prestbury past Mottram Hall is ok outside rush hour but I would avoid it between 7:30 to 9:00 am

 

[Simmer]

Excellent stuff, cheers.

I'll have a look at that route through Mottram Saint Andrew, sounds promising. Mixing it up with Artists a couple of times should get me climbing better after a month or 2.,

thanks
Si