A Cut Above

The one with fantastic trails, superb scenery 40+ midge bites & a polka dot cafe!

Ride Date: 28/06/2014

Distance: 17 miles

Route: Howden Reservoir> Langsett.

Weather: Temperature - 9°C, Wind - 3mph →, Humidity - 100%, Conditions - Misty.

Riders : Jake & Matt

Touted as "A warm up for Ambergate", Matt asked me along for a run of the famous Cut gate pass, I couldn't resist testing out what is said to be possibly the finest bit of Peak District riding available .

We met at early at Fairhomes and drove the short journey to the tip of Howden Reservoir, this is where the ride began. 

The gist of Cut Gate is this: It's a linear ride starting at Howden , going up and over the hill down to Langsett Reservoir, looping round and then coming back on the same trail. Some people ride the opposite way, but it's still the same ride. The south side is steep and tricky with loose rocks, slabs, steps and singletrack, the north side is shallower , but much longer & faster, with many similar obstacles to the south side, the centre section is a bizarre terrain, with a mix of large white rocks on a dark peat background it is known as the lunar section and is a test of anyone's skill to find the best line and not have to dab a foot down.

We started by climbing (mostly pushing in my case) the south side, riding across the top where the views are incredible, even on a misty day, then down the other side to Langsett where we stopped off at the Bank View Cafe for a well earned cuppa. Langsett was being passed through on stage 2 of Le Tour De France, so the whole village was decorated ready, the cafe was extra special, painted in the colours of the "King of the mountain" polka dot jersey.

The Polka Dot Cafe

Once refreshed we were off again and although we got slightly lost, which involved crossing a small river, we were soon back on the trail & climbing back to the summit, this is a long and technical climb, but strangely satisfying as you pick your way up and around obstacles, once at the top it was over the lunar section, which seems completely different in reverse. That just left the steep south side descent back down to Howden, I chose a completely duff line at the beginning but was soon back on the proper line, although I couldn't keep pace with Matt!

Fantastic Views, Fantastic Trails

That just left the steady ride back to the cars, we will have to do this again as a group, it is a bit further than Calver & would probably be an earlier start, but it's more than worth it to ride this superb trail, plus there's always the lure of a full English breakfast at the mid point to spur you on!

The video below is quite short as as most it ended up unusable due to water droplets on the lens caused by the slightly damp weather, but I've salvaged as much as possible.

View the ride on Endomondo - https://www.endomondo.com/workouts/364181764/151189