Riders: Jake, Matt G, Basil & Ryan.
An early start for the first ever pre afternoon shift ride saw four of us gather near Calver Crossroads at 08:45.
With Matt leading Myself, Basil & Ryan we started out with a steep climb on tarmac, leading to a longer, rougher & steeper climb on limestone up the hill above Calver. This was a good first test for the gears after fitting the new rear dérailleur hanger and they passed fine despite Me wimping out and pushing the bike on some of the steeper parts.
A short rest at the peak led to the first descent, the aptly named "Old Man's demise", this was a rocky narrow trail with a good length broken by the need for an emergency puncture repair on Matt's bike.
Puncture repair number one about two thirds of the way down "Old Man's Demise"
We continued down the demise and then took a steady climb back & took a break to admire the glorious views and take a few pictures to show the "No Shows" what they were missing. We then carried on up to almost where the demise began, this time taking a right turn down a fast grassy slope to a stile where "The Necker" began. I've no idea why it's called that, I keep meaning to ask.
The start of "The Necker"
This descent was an eight inch wide sheep track along a 500 foot ravine down to steam and path below, it was mainly hard mud with the odd rock and some very sketchy bits over loose shale, the surface and the precarious position lead to a lot of "dabbing" and a couple of dismounts but became faster as it widened out onto grass and down through a small wood.
A long but slight climb the lead us back parallel to "The Necker" and the took a sharp right, followed by a sharper climb up to the top of the quarry. This lead to our third descent, it was fast, wide and rocky, with a couple of slow downs as we crossed a couple of real roads.
We then took a steady tarmac climb upto Eyam, a village steeped in history due to the plague. We took a left from the main road and climbed up towards the "Riley Graves". From here began two fast descents though woods with some great root, rocks & bermed corners, the outcome of which left us with just a mile of tarmac back to calver & left Matt with his second and final puncture of the day.
All that was left then was a quick dash home to get ready for work.
A great circuit with some killer climbs and some equally stunning descents, many thanks to Matt for the ace guidance, I can see this one becoming a favourite.
The view after "Old Man's demise"
See the full route here http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/55907093
See the full route here http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/55907093
