7:00am, 13th August 2006 saw 6 wheelers head off up the motorway to the grim north for a days mountain biking in the Peak District.

There were some worried looking faces on the way up as the rain came bouncing down and it looked like a soggy ride was destined for us.

At the first motorway stop however, we had in inkling that the weather was getting better as the rain was now falling vertically and no longer horizontally. Optimism was now building!

We arrived in Edale at around 10:30am and headed for a much-needed cup of tea at 'Café Misery' where you have never met such happy people. Words can't really describe this, you have to experience it - just ask her for change for the car park, then duck!

Finally we get onto the bikes, the weather had cleared up and we were now actually starting to cast shadows. Off we go, for the first climb of the day, Mam Tor!

A steady road climb gave way to a singletrack path before eventually converting into a rocky section that gets quite steep towards Hollins Cross. After re-grouping at Hollins Cross we headed off up the stone steps towards the crest of Mam Tor, taking in the magnificent views over towards Castleton and Hope.

Next follows a quick track that contours around the side and back of Mam Tor peak to bring us out on the road, only to be greeted by a bloke on (or more accurately ‘off’!) a road bike taking the corner on his back after slipping on loose gravel. Of course we helped pick him up and dust him down and then sent him on his way, we still had lots to do ourselves.

Next up was Rushup Edge, a steady climb, steep in places leading onto a technical rock strewn gradual descent, with rocks the size of suitcases at some points, as Ray will testify with his cry of 'Look at the size of these rocks!...Ooooph!'.

All navigated safely back to the road and on to the next one, Roych Clough. A fast descent on sandy ground took us to a stream crossing where we then began the next climb of the day. Loose rocks littered the ground that is a typical feature of the Dark Peak as the incline started to bite. Once at the top, it was time to re-group again and head off down the interesting descent to the road.

Questionable map reading and over enthusiasm for descending made us take a wrong turn here down to the main road. A quick review and we were back off up the hill we had just come down to follow the right track this time. The map we had was now warning us of a long steep technical climb to come.

After climbing on road up to the gate, we could see the climb up from Coldwell Clough to Edale Cross stretching out up and away in front of us. We knew here that Jacobs Ladder was over the other side of the hill we were looking at and that we were headed that way.

The map was right. This was a monster of a climb that seemed to go on forever and full of loose rocks that made traction difficult and line picking almost impossible. Eventually we made it to the top and took a well-earned food stop. Next up was Jacobs Ladder, just a little way off now and the last major obstacle in our path.

A short navigation later and we were at the top of Jacobs Ladder. Amazing views greeted us at the top as we sat just below the cloud line and stared at the valley showing us the winding track leading off that we were about to enjoy.

For those not in the know, Jacobs Ladder is famous in the Peak District for being a great descent and a masochistic climb. The track was full of loose rocks and the bike skips around under you scrabbling for grip as you try desperately to avoid the ruts and stick to a line. Drops, ruts, rocks all try their best to persuade you that you should really be falling off at any moment, but somehow you don't.

Martin Rose, however, had other ideas and was heading for giving us his own version of Superman when he was caught (yes, caught!) by a passing Rambler who stopped him from going over the bars and leveled out his bike back onto the ground. I've never heard of this happening before, so huge respect to that man. I know if I saw Rosie heading over the bars at me, I would have ducked well out of the way!

After the descent we get greeted at the bottom by a beautiful little bridge and stream, where the usual astonished looks on the assembled Ramblers 'You rode a bike down there? Why???' greeted us. Big smiles all round in our group.

Another re-grouping at the bottom and it was nearly all over. A quick blast down to Barber Booth, and then spin out on the road back to Edale car park and we were done.

A quick trip into Castleton for a carvery in the pub and it was time to head off back down the motorway. Just in time too, as the rain that had threatened us in the morning returned as we headed off home to arrive back in Evesham around 9:00pm.

A long way to go for only a 16ish mile ride, but all agreed that the trails up there are pure quality. No punctures, no injuries, no breakdowns meant it was a really good day out.

Now, when can we get back up there again next?!

Riders:
Martin Rose (Driver and Map reader)
Ray Hemming
Jess Hemming
Martin Hall
Tony Canning
Dave Newbould