Our first full GRAC meet since the infamous ‘Ripon Rev’ in August 2018, with the increased prevalance of grey hair, bald patches and expanding stomachs much in evidence.
Two days in the Peak District of Derbyshire and Staffordshire, with rides greatly enjoyed by twelve riders just happy to survive and get back to the pub.
Three groups quickly formed. The ‘keen and eager’ – Niallo, Carlos, Tommy, Mario and Eglen (Glen…you know who you are, but now forever known as Eglen Bernal). The ‘keen but sensible’ – Fabian, Jan, Heyddie, Alansandro and Stewie. And the ‘steady and wise’ – Alberto and Miguel.
But we all rode together on the Friday afternoon warm-up ride, taking us joyfully south to coast through the magnificent Chatsworth Estate, resplendent in early evening sunshine as we passed through. Some fun with a locked gilt gate which halted our progress as we attempted to exit the estate at Baslow, but a quick backtrack, some help from the locals and a little gravel got us back on track.
A good introduction to the area, some busy roads, some steep stretches and an excellent way to work up a thirst. One descent, down into Lathkill Dale, north of Youlgreave, scared the hell out of The Prez.
Then a few beers at the main base, the Little John Hotel in Hathersage, followed by a good curry and much banter at the Maazi https://maazi.co.uk
Not all of us were staying at the Little John though. Heyddie and Jan luxuriated at The George nearby for their first night. Heyddie was joined in his suite by a little bee overnight too. He had Botox-like looks in the morning, but not an improvement as he’s already beyond help. And Niallo decided to set a thrifty example to us all, opting to stay in the Hathersage Youth Hostel – concrete like beds, but a hearty breakfast.
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| Crossing the White Peak area |
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| Team GRAC at Chatsworth |
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| Escaping from Chatsworth... |
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| Extended route taken by Niallo and Tommy |
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| Route taken by Carlos, Eglen and Mario |
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| Route, including a nice pootle along the Monsal Trail, taken by Alberto and Dandurain |
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| Route taken by Jan, Heyddie, Alansandro and Stewie |
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| GRAC in new team jerseys, which miraculously arrived just in time, courtesy of Stewie and Mrs Colincellara |
The ’keen and eager’ group tackled Winnats Pass, the hardest climb to be had in this part of the world, soon after leaving Hathersage. Brutal, and not really enjoyed by anyone, except Niallo and Tommy, the GRAC Masochist sub-section. Carlos rather belatedly rued his choice of gearing, Eglen moaned some more and Mario expended his total stock of energy for the day.
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| Carlos 'enjoying' Winnats Pass with 36x28 gearing |
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| Eglen wondering why he joined GRAC... |
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| Winnats Pass, tackled by the 'keen and eager' - over 1.5km at an average gradient of 12.1% with a maximum of 28.2% |
The ‘keen but sensible’ group made steady progress west then south through Tideswell, crossing numerous deep dales with steep descents and even steeper climbs out of them, before getting a good soaking from a heavy shower on Hind Low before reaching Longnor.
It was on this section that we were caught up by the hard nuts, before riding through Hartington to reach the isolated and quite lovely Long Dale, classic limestone country, before reaching our lunch stop at the Bull’s Head in Monyash. Here we were greeted by Alberto and Dandurain, having followed the Monsal Trail on gravel to reach us.
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| View from Summer Cross above Tideswell |
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| The Prez not enjoying the technical descent from Wormhole to Miller's Dale, pursued by a grumpy postie... |
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| Chrome Hill to the west |
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| Teams come together to enjoy Long Dale, just east of Hartington |
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| Carlos enjoying the view |
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| Chief organiser Niallo at the lunch stop, the homely Bull's Head in Monyash |
Great pub food, a couple of pints, and we were off again. It should be noted that Mario inhaled two very large plates of food – a jacket potato with tuna and a humungous steak and kidney pie…
Of course, The Prez, always thinking that he is younger and more capable than he really is, set off with the faster group, thinking that we were all taking the same route back to Hathersage. Wrong. But good fun all the same, even though he somehow missed a really hard climb, up and over Sir William Hill out of Grindleford. What a shame…
From Calver, Niallo and Tommy decided that they hadn’t done enough climbing so extended their route by taking on Froggatt Edge and White Edge Moor before returning to Hathersage.
Everyone safely back, a couple of beers consumed, quick freshen up then a mile’s walk to the The Plough Inn just south of Hathersage.
A truly excellent hostelry with a nice outside garden, great service and quality food. Carlos presented awards for, amongst other things, Dirtiest Bike (Eglen) and The Chopper (Tommy, for the best cutting up manoeuvre). Much hilarity.
Of course, for some, further rehydration was required after the walk back to Hathersage, a few hardy souls ending up in the George Hotel for a final night-cap. The older gentlemen in the team were, of course, in bed by 21:30…
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| Niallo overlooking the Hope Valley on the final climb before descending to Hathersage |
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| View from the pub garden at the excellent Plough Inn, Hathersage |
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| Early evening entertainment, watching the hapless owner try (and eventually succeed) in getting this old bus moving again |
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| Heyddie lording it with a carb loading fest at the Plough Inn |
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| The Prez's choice. Rather indulgent for someone who "doesn't 'do' red wine..." |
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| Celebration dinner at the excellent Plough Inn |
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| Hmmm. The excuse is that the water pressure in the Gents was a little high.. |
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| Stewie taking a break during the final session of booze and banter at The George |
Apart from Jan, Alansandro and Stewie, the group departed after a hearty breakfast, leaving the trio to revisit the Chatsworth Estate on a slightly easier route.
Massive kudos to Niall who initiated and organised the event, to Tommy for some exemplary route planning, and to Carlos for ride supplies and MC-ing the award ceremony. Thanks guys!
All in all, a fine weekend. Where to next? Nice, Slovenia…who knows! Until next time chaps…
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| Stewie, Alansandro and Jan taking a Sunday morning leg-stretcher to Chatsworth |
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| Two team days – great riding and banter |
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