Peak District

About the Route

The mission I accepted was to plot a route, somewhere in England packed with Switchbacks. My first thought was you are joking, right?

We have no mountains, that’s not possible, but then I began to think, and one by one snap shots of awesome bends began to surface from my memory and a good proportion where right on my door step in the Peak District. I quickly opened up Strava and started to plot. The limiter for the ride was 100km so it wouldn’t be easy but this was the challenge, how many could I squeeze in! Starting in Bakewell the town world famous for its Tarts, the route kicks up right way through Manners Wood taking in switchback number one. From here it’s onto a genuine killer of a climb, Rowsley Bar to tick off bends two and three.

After this abrupt start it’s time to head deeper into the Peak to the tiny village of Alport and the nasty little climb that leaves it heading south through switchback number four. After this there is quite a haul to reach the next targets, a full 30 kilometres until you arrive at the wonderful Larkstone Lane for corners five and six. From here, the southern most point of the ride you head due north to Crowdecote to the real stars of the ride.

These next two bends are as close to genuine Alpine switchbacks you will find anywhere in Britain as they sweep the road rapidly out of the valley. With now eight in the bag it’s time to head home towards Bakewell for bend nine climbing out of Lathkill Dale and even though you are almost back a the start point the route diverts north to bag one more bend and this is a favourite of mine. Heading up to the end of Monsal Dale the final hairpin is a genuine 180 degree stunner into the small village of Cressbrook, one that has been the venue for many an instagram photo shoot. Doubling back you return to Bakewell where you can feast on the local speciality, the Bakewell Tart.