Cycling in the Peak Disrict - NCN 68 & 62

[Danny]

I am planning a weekend of cycling in the Peak District and was thinking of starting in Derby and following NCN routes 68 and 62 around to Doncaster or Sheffield.

Both of these seem to feature long 'traffic free' sections - for example between Ashbourne and Buxton, and then again from Glossop all the way across to Stocksbridge.

Does anyone know what these traffic free sections are like to cycle along - in other words are they tarmac, cinder track, or rutted bridleway?

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

One is part of the Trans Pennine Trail isn't it? They ring a bell (sorry bad pun) from my planning of our holiday starting on 30th August which includes all of the TPT. If they are, then from what I understand whilst they are plenty of off-road sections, they are not ideal for road bikes and could be hard going in bad weather (luckily our touring bikes are off-road touring bikes so this is not a problem for us).

What bike are you thinking about using?

 

[winjim]

NCN 62 is the Trans-Pennine Trail. Bits of it are old railway line, and quite pleasant, but bits of it are proper off-road territory, and impassable on a road bike. Personally, from Glossop to Sheffield I'd head South to Chapel-en-le-Frith, across to Castleton and along the Hope Valley. It's the long way but you avoid the traffic on the Woodhead and Snake Passes.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Ashbourne to Parsley Hay is the Tissington Trail which is a converted disused railway (hardcore). http://www.derbyshire-peakdistrict.co.uk/tissingtontrail.htm
Parlsey Hay to Buxton is the High Peak Trail. http://www.peakdistrictcycleways.co.uk/cycle-route.php?route=HPT1
This gives some information about the combined route and some history http://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/90486/hptisstrails.pdf

 

[rich p]

Ashbourne to Buxton is on the Tissington/High Peak trail. I've ridden it on a road bike - it's a disused railway line with a generally firm surface even when wet. Largely flat too for obvious reasons!

 

[Danny]

One is part of the Trans Pennine Trail isn't it? They ring a bell (sorry bad pun) from my planning of our holiday starting on 30th August which includes all of the TPT. If they are, then from what I understand whilst they are plenty of off-road sections, they are not ideal for road bikes and could be hard going in bad weather (luckily our touring bikes are off-road touring bikes so this is not a problem for us).

What bike are you thinking about using?

We'll be on touring bikes - but they both have 28mm tyres, so not great for extended rutted or muddy sections.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

We'll be on touring bikes - but they both have 28mm tyres, so not great for extended rutted or muddy sections.

my understanding is that parts of the TPT are bad after rain and even difficult with mtb's. But I don't know which parts - think it is between Manchester & Warington but not sure. will call on @classic33 I think he knows better than I or at least knows those who know.... (We are on 26" x 2.0, so should be easier for us, though it will be the 2nd week of September by then and if this rain continues like this it may not even be possible on our bikes - no derailleurs to have to keep mud free etc)

 

[Danny]

NCN 62 is the Trans-Pennine Trail. Bits of it are old railway line, and quite pleasant, but bits of it are proper off-road territory, and impassable on a road bike. Personally, from Glossop to Sheffield I'd head South to Chapel-en-le-Frith, across to Castleton and along the Hope Valley. It's the long way but you avoid the traffic on the Woodhead and Snake Passes.

Thanks for the tips about NCN 62.

I've done most of that Hope Valley-Sheffield route before so was was wanting to try something different. Maybe we should head north up to Holmfirth from Glossop.

 

[Danny]

Ashbourne to Parsley Hay is the Tissington Trail which is a converted disused railway (hardcore). http://www.derbyshire-peakdistrict.co.uk/tissingtontrail.htm
Parlsey Hay to Buxton is the High Peak Trail. http://www.peakdistrictcycleways.co.uk/cycle-route.php?route=HPT1
This gives some information about the combined route and some history http://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/90486/hptisstrails.pdf

Thanks for the links - I'll follow them up.

 

[classic33]

my understanding is that parts of the TPT are bad after rain and even difficult with mtb's. But I don't know which parts - think it is between Manchester & Warington but not sure. will call on @classic33 I think he knows better than I or at least knows those who know.... (We are on 26" x 2.0, so should be easier for us, though it will be the 2nd week of September by then and if this rain continues like this it may not even be possible on our bikes - no derailleurs to have to keep mud free etc)

I'm on the other side of the Pennines. @fossyant possibly

 

[winjim]

Thanks for the tips about NCN 62.

I've done most of that Hope Valley-Sheffield route before so was was wanting to try something different. Maybe we should head north up to Holmfirth from Glossop.

B6105 to Woodhead reservoir then A6024 over Holme Moss to Holmefirth, then over Royd Moor to Penistone?

 

[raleighnut]

Tissington/ High peak trail can get a bit busy on weekends, but real nice early on, surface is really good and the Tissington has a café/loos either end but they're also hire points for cycles. Its reasonably flat but its a gradual uphill all the way from Ashbourne. Just off the trail (3 miles) there's a village called Monyash with a pub called The Bulls Head which is fantastic for food and is still 'on the tops' so no massive descents and climbs into a Dale.

 

[fossyant]

Sorry not familiar with the trails over that way

 

[Danny]

I'm on the other side of the Pennines. @fossyant possibly

Sorry not familiar with the trails over that way

I hadn't realised that there was quite such a reluctance amongst Lancashire folk to venture over the Pennines.

 

[fossyant]

I am a roadie. Roads I know not trails or National Cycleways. I know the TPT near me.