I don`t like Mondays................a drinks machine saves the day!

I`ve got a new job at work and with it a new set of shifts which means i have a lot of Mondays off and although i`ve usually considered Mondays a day when i don`t cycle i`ve decided that this has to change so it was with this in mind that i ventured out to the White Peak for what became quite an adventure the first Monday in February.

I was joined by fellow Chelford Chick Georgina Rowson and we set out for our start point of Waterhouses. I`d found a route in last months CTC magazine which had evoked many memories of rides in the nineties which had taken in many of the dales of the White Peak. I will be the first to admit that i`m no longer fit enough to manage those rides anymore however there was nothing to stop me driving part way. So on a cold Monday morning we left Waterhouses via the Manifold track and meandered along the valley past Wetton Mill and the cafe that was closed. Not a problem as we took in the stunning scenery of the Manifold valley and through what i had remembered as the death defying tunnel which is now very well lit and surfaced.

 We continued to Hulme End Junction and yet another closed cafe and then it was through the lanes to join National Cycling route 54 across Beresford dale and the very pretty Wolfscote Dale, all very rideable on our skinny tyred road bikes we were making good progress until the route suddenly took a turn up a completely unridable track which saw me mumbling and moaning and Georgina who has far more off road experience than myself having ridden cyclo cross just laughed, in a nice way and convinced me that she could see smooth tarmac just ahead. For about 1/2 a mile it seemed to have improved and then the route turned to ankle deep mud and slippy limestone. Eventually we popped out onto smooth tarmac and we rode up the hill to Biggin. Which as i had been warned by window cleaning cyclist Robbo, is the most depressing place going. We were quickly through this "Hound of the Baskervilles"  place and crossed the A515 and onto the NCN 54 route again across the high point of the White Peak and past the stone circle of Arbour Low before dropping into Minninglow.

We joined the High Peak Trail and steamed along this to Parsley Hay and in the distance we spied the information centre. Ooh a luvly brew, not to be completely shuttered up and a notice saying it was open everyday from the 13th Feb, next week! A quick scrabble through pockets and fruit bars were found and washed down with very cold blackcurrant. We then headed onto the Tissington trail towards Ashbourne and a long slow freezing descent. Eventually we decided to miss Ashbourne out after all the National Trust cafe at Ilam would be open.

We left the trail at Thorpe and headed towards Calton where i recognised a pub that had been frequented on a youth hostelling weekend with the Stockport Clarion many years ago. Needed to sprint past there as there was bound to have been some type of misdemeanour committed. We dropped down the amazing descent and as we pedalled nonchantly along past Dove Dale there was a steep road on the otherside of the valley, i said to Georgina " i think we have to go up that" i think i told her to share the impending panic that was now settling, nearly 40 hilly miles completed and no cafe stop and a huge steep hill the only way out. We headed hopefully to Ilam hall where the national trust cafe was bound to be open and there was the A board sign advertising the tearooms, sucess at last. And then i read it open every day except Monday. Cruel, just cruel. 

Then Georgina noticed a sign, hot drinks available at the visitors centre. We staggered in having worked out the automatic door system and were greeted with a drinks vending machine. Oh how disappointing but the next thing Georgina shoved a steaming hot cup of chocolate in my hand, heaven. I was warmed through and ready for anything including the big climb out of Ilam. It was slow and painful but eventually i made it to the top.

We rode across the moors before a big swoop down into Waterhouses and the first open cafe of the day but by then we didn`t care as we had just completed our biggest ride in the hills for a long time and the feeling of elation was incredible.

The day was finished off with a bargain tea at the Morrisons in Leek. A great day out in the White Peak and a brilliant adventure and plans for more rides in the Peaks, so don`t think your seeing things if you see me in the hills. Around Chatsworth next i think.

Danielle 

PS Word of warning if you go out in the Peaks on a Monday don`t expect the cafes to be open but in emergencies there is an excellent drinks machine at Ilam Hall visitors centre.