Horton in Ribblesdale (Yorkshire) to Home (Derbsyhire)

This was a spontaneous decision that could be deemed reckless by some. I did 10 minutes of planning on the day we set off to the Yorkshire Dales to undertake the Yorkshire three peaks walk. I packed my gigantic saddle bag from Alpkit with nutrition, a bivvy bag and some warm clothes. I then quickly loaded a route onto my Satmap that was automated by the ’komoot’ app, it would plot a ride using quiet roads, cycle networks and bridleways! This was the first time I have used the app for a long distance ride, but I had full trust that it would take me through some nice traffic free areas, after a few successful trial attempts in the Peak District.

Horton In Ribblesdale to Settle

I set off at 9:30am from Horton in Ribblesdale, my legs were feeling pretty fresh considering I walked the Three Peaks the day before and I started cycling to Settle, but for some unknown reason, I had a technological conundrum. My GPS had failed me, it kept turning off and it wouldn’t load the route fast enough. I was only 5 miles into the ride but I was determined to cycle home, I didn’t want to quit this early on and ring my parents who were probably still in the car park from where I set off. Therefore, I recklessly decided to just start cycling and see where it lead. But, When reflecting on this decision, it was rather silly, I had no previous knowledge of the area and I didn’t even know if i was heading in the right direction until I set a feature on my watch to give me a digital compass. 

Settle to Long Preston

But, I saw a sign post for the Pennine Bridleway just past Settle, I got onto 'Mitchell lane' and decided to follow it because I knew this would eventually lead to Middleton top. However, I underestimated the terrain for my gravel bike, I did a few miles of the bridelway and I knew I couldn’t do much more of it, it was proper mountain bike terrain, steep rocky climbs and decents with mud that my skinny tyres just couldn’t get traction on. (The bridleway is definitely on the bucket list for next year if i can find any other looney to undertake it with). Therefore, I got off the track at Long Preston and back onto the roads , but once again, having no clue where I was,  I persisted and carried on spinning my legs.  It was a strange feeling of having no knowledge of the area, but I enjoyed the freedom of exploring the new landscape with having a total new eye to area.

Pennine Bridleway

Long Preston to Foulridge
After a few miles of lovely quiet roads, I descended down the road from West Marton and saw a National Cycle Route 68 sign that lead to Barnoldswick via the Leeds and Liverpool canal system. I quickly turned and it became a pot of gold, the canal path was fantastic, I saw very few people apart from the pleasant Canal boat users (I even saw an old couple in the full nude taking in the sun on the roof of their boat!). After passing Barnoldswick, I decided to carry on the canal and see where it lead as it was just brilliant, grass paths all to myself, what more could I need (a map, compass and maybe an idea where I was), at this point I was thoroughly enjoying it and I didn't take much notice of where I was heading to!

Ridehalgh to Hebden Bridge

I got to the end of the canal and started to ride through a few towns and then out into the countryside once more. I then got to a steep road called Ridehalgh, the views was stunning and then further along the valley I looked over towards Widdop reservoir which was incredibly peaceful. Fortunately due to the constant hills around Derbyshire the multiple 20% hills didn't faze me and when there is n up there normal is a brilliant down which always doesn't last as long as I hope.

Ridehalgh climb

After loosing myself into the stunning scenery...BANG. I thought it was a gunshot, but no, it was a pinch flat puncture. I had been dreading this moment, as putting tyres onto my new wheels at home with beefy tyre levers was near on impossible. I was in the middle of nowhere, no traffic or cyclists were passing me and I was frantically trying to change my inner tube on the rear wheel. The damage of this pinch flat was massive, it left a great slash of 30cm in the tube meaning it couldn't be repaiarable. It was quite typical as it was my first puncture for the year and considering I have rode over mountainbike terrain consisting of sharp rocks and scree, I punctured on  tarmac as smooth as a velodrome!. After many strong words with myself and the bike (not that it would help but it did relieve some tension) and 2 tyre levers that looked liked bananas later, I somehow got my tyre on. All I had now to do was to pump the tyre up......some interesting and tedious pumping actions/techniques later with my miniature pump (Im glad no cars passed at this point as my pumping technique may have looked a little strange at times) the bike was finally rideable, I had all fingers and toes crossed for the rest of the ride that this would not happen again as it took almost an hour to get me back on the road again and it was a demoralising part, but, as with all endurance events, you have to get back into that positive mindset or it can soon grind you down!

The cyclists nightmare

Therefore, I got back on my bike and started peddling like I was in a race in order to vent some frustration and anger out, this didn't last long, 5 minutes in and I was panting like dog (It always amazes me how the mindset fluctuates to positive and negative feelings during many hours in the saddle). I reached civilisation at a lovely village called Heptonstall, I saw a quaint cafe, filled up my water bottle and brought a trusty milkshake (a standard purchase during my cafe stops that provides a vital moral boost and break from water and juice). A few guzzles in and an old man on his vintage bike tapped me on the shoulder, complementing my bicycle and asking if i was going somewhere nice, I responded ‘I will be honest, I have no clue where im going…i'm heading to Derbyshire at somepoint hopefully’ this man gave me a strange look of confinement, but fortunately he had a wealth of cycling knowledge and was going to the Eroica weekend in Derbyshire. After a nice chat about the route, he kindly directed me towards a canal path from Hebden Bridge which goes all the way to Macclesfield.

Hebden Bridge to Manchester
This was great as it allowed me to stick to a route and cover some distance without having to look at signs, it started off to be a lovely trail going though Todmorden, Walden and surrounding places but as I got to Rochdale and littleborugh, the scenery began to decline.This time I was dodging needles and broken beer bottles to avoid punctures compared to the common scree, rocks and pot holes I'm normally used to in the Peak District and country side. Slightly further on,  I passed a cyclist who was on his fat bike trying to find where his puncture was on his ginormous inner tube, luckily for him he was next to a canal, so dousing the tube in the water was of great help, but I don't envy carrying a spare tube that was the size of  his rucksack! At this point it definitley made me even more cautious when cycling, as I didn't want to puncture in this area. After a few decisions that was more forced upon me (the area became unsafe to continue due to excessive drinking and drug taking) I came off the canal path and ended up in the city of Manchester. This was no better, I dont know if I was more safe next to some interesting people on the canal or the busy roads and roundabouts in this densely populated city. This was a low point for me as I hate city cycling, cars were missing me by inches at certain points. I turned off a main road and onto a council estate (another wrong decision that I needed to get out of quick), I saw a sign for a park and thought great but this wasn't a park I was used to, it was full of groups of hooded teenagers and there was me in my tight lycra sticking out like a saw thumb. After much verbal abuse/banter from thirteen looking children, I once again took another turning to escape this area. I think my heart rate for these hours of 'excitement' was higher than any of my sprint efforts and i was only tootling around trying to avoid having my bicycle stolen or getting a puncture.

Manchester to New mills to Whaley bridge
Luckily, this horrible period ended, I saw another canal (cycle route way 6) and became amazed by how many I had been on during the day, it had a great map and displayed that if I continued on it I would reach Whaley Bridge. This was the best news I saw all day, what a relief that was. It meant I would be getting close to known and comfortable territory of the Peak District. By this point, I had been on the saddle for over 9 hours so I needed some substantial food before all of the shops shut before I carried on during the evening section. After a few miles of keeping my eyes peeled I came across a Tescos before the end of the canal....Damn it was shut after 4 on sunday's, but fortunately there were enough supplies in the petrol station to keep me going. I brought some pasta, strapped 2 bottles of milkshake to my saddle bag and set off again to Whaley Bridge. This canal was brilliant and was much more scenic than the previous terrifying hours (I must explore it again!)

Necessary rehydration and refuel

Whaley Bridge to Buxton
After reaching Whaley Bridge, I followed the signs to Buxton. This was a massive moral boost as once I was there, all I had to do then was get on the High Peak Trail and put my head down and I would eventually arrive close to home. But, I didn't expect the long gruelling hill to get to Buxton (it felt hard but when I reviisit the climb it will more than likely be easy and it was inevitable down to my mental strength declining but to give me some reassurance that it was difficult the road was called 'long hill'). This road seemed to be never needed with endless times that i thought id reach the summit but finally I had a great descent into Buxton.

Buxton to Cromford

After a quick climb out of Buxton I reached my common rode trail.  I put my head down and averaged over 18mph, along high peak trail, flying down sheep pasture over some rugged wooden sleepers and then all that was left was the final flourish along Cromford Canal. 

To conclude this ride  was definitely an experience I won't forget, I still don't know to this day how I managed to get home in one piece, not getting majorly lost and to do it in a day. After viewing the route on Strava,  I could have only shortened the ride by 30 miles, and avoided the busy roads and cities but hey ho it was a great learning experience and a memory i won’t forget. It made me appreciate quality gear more and the peak district but more importantly having a bivvy bag and extra food keeps your mind at rest that you will have a place to sleep wherever you may get to.

Tips for next time

• Always have a back up navigation unit (invest in a phone and stop being a hermit)

• Upgrade to tubeless to prevent being stranded in more rural locations

• Plan for longer than 10 minutes and research food/drink stops along the way

• Use cycle networks and canals for routes (they really are ace)