Re:
What a day!
Nice to get a first ride on my 98 Kili Team but all that was overshadowed by the weather. Beautiful blue skies and endless views one minute, and then hard, heavy sleet the next.
Riding into the wind, uphill for the first two miles on the High Peak Trail kind of set the scene for the days exertions. The first crossing of Highstool lane while being blasted by hail from a 90 degree angle was equally challenging.
But when the sun did come out it did reveal some fine Peak District scenery. Shame it never stayed out long enough to allow us to dry out a little.
The descent of Priestcliffe Ditch was excellent, if a bit wet.
The trails were tricky and slippery. Wet limestone is like wet ice. When you have a fine layer of wet ice on wet limestone... well you get the idea. It's a good job we were all using suitable tyres. Oh no, wait.
The Deep Dale descent was somewhat muddy and the road section along the A6 to Ashford in the Water was a virtual white out.
At least we had a nice warm cafe stop to welcome us at Monsal Head. "You can't sit inside like that... You can sit outside and we'll serve you there." Thanks Hobb's Cafe, we'll give it a miss then.
Thankfully the chap running The Stables Bar next door was much more accommodating, welcoming us in despite dripping half of the weather and the Monsal Trail on his floor.
Good food and good ale next to a roaring fire.
It didn't last long enough though, as we donned slightly drier layers for the return leg.
The westering sun was against us and we knew we were in for a fast slog back in the diminishing light.
The climb out of Monsal Dale was a bit brutal and the weather turned on us again along Brushfield. Riding nearly blind into harsh ice particles on slippery limestone trails was a nerve tester. Everything was numbed by cold though.
The final climb up Senner's Lane and Pillwell Lane was accompanied by a layer of wet snow that had accumulated in the last heavy fall. We were all reduced to pushing up the steeper sections. It did allow a little blood flow into our now wet and frozen feet.
Finally the gradient eased and we dropped and recrossed Highstool Lane in the near dark. The relief on reaching the top end of the High Peak Trail was very welcome with the last couple of miles downhill with a slight tail wind.
Back to the cars and the agony of peeling off wet layers, followed by the ecstasy of dry socks.
What a horrible ordeal. Loved every moment!
The three survivors...
...and a grinning chump.
