Heading through Buxton we decided to go and have a butchers at the Tissington Trail - a bridleway cum cycle track on the bed of a disused railway line.
Parsley Hay is the first landmark on the path from the north and the place where many begin. There's a cheap pay and display car park, one of those cafes which is just a hatch in the wall and, most importantly, a bike hire shop which caters for everyone. You can hire bikes for kids, tandems, those chariot trailer things and wheelchair bike - all in all a jolly good set up. There's also a shop selling a few bike related bits and bobs (picked up some new mits which where on offer) and some standard tourist stuff like fridge magnets and wot not.
As we were on foot we didn't cover the full 15 mile distance in the searing 25 degree heat, but managed a six mile walk along the flat crushed stone surface.
The path was really good: wide enough to ride and get past couples with their loony dog and well surfaced.
Its interesting to see the area being reclaimed by nature from its rail days. Sure there are bridges, tunnels and cuttings, but the edges are softened by green stuff. Looks good.
Derbyshire - and the Peak National Park in particular - has really cottoned on to the potential of the region for cycling.
As well as infrastructure like the Tissington Trail, they are, in September, hosting an entire festival of cycling.
The imaginatively named Peak District Cycling Festival runs from September 7th to the 15th and has all manner of events associated with it - I might fancy a pop at the Grindleford Goat. The festival does seem to lack a focal point though. You know, a major event around which the whole festival hangs. Some kind of major launch event or some such. Anyways maybe next time.
The Peak District is superb for riding and is well worth a visit if you have never been.
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| That's Winnats Pass in the background |
