Ring Cycle, 19th Sept.

Piccies from Shalesmoor...









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With Dr Bike cancelled, had no excuse for not driving SWMBO out to the van for the on-going refurbishment work. Then selfishly set off on a bike ride, wanting to try out the section of the Pennine Cycleway between Parsley Hey and Buxton - not done that bit before. Down and Up Millers Dale, always a good climb, then Sheldon, Flagg (spotted a few spire-ites at the tea shop)
and onto the trail just above the Hey. Good surface on the old rail trail, a bit bumpier and with loose stones on the connecting bit that takes you onto the road to Earl Sterndale - wonder if motorbikes have churned it up. Quick pint at the Quiet Woman (sexist chortle at pub sign, picture of woman with no head) White Lightning I think it was, very tasty, on over the hill into Buxton. The route uses a quiet-ish road through Harpur Hill, and into the very genteel Victorian residential areas of Buxton. Outside the Opera House though, in full view of a troupe of Morris dancers, terrific sprang and my rear mech collapses in a twisted heap of expensive Campag spare parts. Quick mod to convert the bike into a single speed machine, decide to head back to the van. Not too bad except occasionally forget and try to change gear on the front, which pulls the wheel out of true - have to stop and adjust. Gearing mostly OK but had to walk up Smalldale - maybe I'll turn it into a fixer! Got up Cliffe Rd in Tideswell OK, quite pleased with myself for that.