You know you’re on a classic ride when you meet a constant stream of other mountain bikers coming the opposite way. I can only assume there was an equal number going the same way at me at roughly the same speed as well. Admittedly it was an almost nice bank holiday weekend, and it was a ride that merited the title of classic.
This was the second time that I had ridden form Edale in the Peak District. The last time, for some particularly confusing reason the ride had gone south. That meant the best bit was over Mam Tor, right at the start of the day, and the rest was an average trawl over roads, small lanes and non-connecting bridleways. This time I got it right.
Getting it right meant heading down the road and north out of the Edale valley, up the (in itself classic) Jacobs Ladder, across the edge of Kinder Scout, a long and satisfying session on the Pennine Bridleway and finishing with the fun of Rushup Edge and Mam Tor.
So, three great hours on hard sandstone climbs, rocky, long downhills, humping the bike up and down rock steps, which are mostly ridable with a bit of an effort (and every time there’s an audience). All this was set off with awesome views and a properly epic feel of open country and real riding. It’s challenging enough to leave me getting it wrong and pushing a few times and having to stay switched on the downhills. Overall it’s a deserving classic and a ride to leave you feeling amazing. Why on Earth would you head the other way?
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