Monsal Trail Bike Ride - Sunday 7th April 2013
We recently purchased from a well known online auction site a couple of folding bikes, they may not be great road bikes or extreme mountain bikes but with six gears they are ideal for cycle trails. They fold up easily and each has it's own storage bag we just pop them in the boot and off we go.
We took the A6 South out of Buxton and parked at Wye Dale car park opposite Topley Pike Quarry.
It wasn't long before we encountered ice, we had hoped that it would all of melted by now not relishing riding over ice we wondered if we should just turn round and call it a day, luckily another cyclist told us that apart from the odd bit of ice in the tunnels this was the worst section, so off we got and gingerly pushed our bikes over the ice.
We soon arrived at the first tunnel and as expected only a small amount of ice.
We passed Litton Mill, once one of the most notorious workplaces in England where child slaves were starved and tortured. As a result, new Factory and Education acts were passed to protect children from the worst abuses.
Next we arrived at the Monsal Viaduct at the entrance to the Monsal Tunnel, this is always a popular spot and today there were many people enjoying the views.
Once through the tunnel the path was completely impassable for people.
Once at the Bakewell end of the trail we were lucky enough to find an empty bench and stopped for a spot of lunch whilst admiring the views over Bakewell before we started the uphill climb back to Wydale.
Along the trail there are many information boards that detail the history of the railway line.
Take a break Millers Dale Station, there's usually a snack bar at week ends
Cressbrook Mill
Hassop Station is now a great place to grab a coffee and snack.
And finally Bakewell Station
