Evening. Am booked to go to this at the weekend, but being the piss poorly organised person that I am, have not managed to get on the organised rides.
Can anyone suggest an easy/intermediate 20ish mile route that takes in some decent sights? Preferably with a gpx I can download. There will be 2 of us, one beginner, one more experienced, but only really used to the biking on the South Downs. Not sure we're quite up for Jacobs Ladder!
Also, anyone been before? How decent is the food on site? Have hit probably the busiest spell at work in recent memory, and will have zero time to organise the full camping experience.
Any help gratefully received.
I’d plan something which takes you along the Monsal Trail in to Bakewell and over to Chatsworth via Coombs Road and Calton Houses. There’s a loop from there up past Beeley Lodge, Rowsley Wood, Rowsley village and then back to Coombs Road via Aaron Hole Plantation.
All very rideable and a good day out, plus rideable from the site and bonus of various pubs and cafe stops on the way.
Edit. Done a quick route map for you here.
https://osmaps.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/osmaps/route/10105448/chatsworth-loop
Extra edit. Also plotted a route north to Eyam which I think would work. Depending on how brave the beginner feels you could do the trail past Riley Graves out of Eyam (part of the Cotic test loop) instead of the easier trail I’ve put on this version.
https://osmaps.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/osmaps/route/10105563/eyam-loop
Make sure you drink lots of Thornbridge beer too on site (I’m guessing they must be selling it)
When you arrive it might be worth stopping by the School of Adventure stand to see if you can book onto anything. When I checked on the weekend the whole day coached mountain biking still had spaces. I'm booked onto that, if you see me on my santa-cruz, say hi.
Otherwise it's a cracking weekend. Food onsite is decent, either from the pop up stands (external catering) or the alpkit kitchen. When we went 3 years ago it was predominantly cash only on the food stalls, covid might have changed that but its worth taking a bit as the nearest cashpoint is a decent drive away. Would also recommend taking some snacks for between meal/post beer cravings.
See you there
Thanks @Tuboflard I have downloaded both those routes, much appreciated.
@cleetonator I'm hoping we'll be there early enough, and if so will drop by the school of adventure. Excellent news on the food front, that's one less thing to take care of.
I'll also be on a Santa Cruz (Chameleon with a smiley face fender😃)- see you there!
