Yesterday.
And it was an epic. I first raced out of Nottingham heading for Ambergate, taking a couple of short but steep hills to get warmed up. Just before Ambergate we headed North on the B6013 for Oakerthorpe. We started a game of ups and downs, the ups lasting slightly longer than the downs, taking us progressively above the valley and offering a first glimpse of the Woolley Moor to the West. Having reached the A61, we turned left for Ashover on the B6036. The climbs were starting to be a bit more challenging; not very long but rather brutal on twisted road. In the absence of wind riding in narrow lanes through the banked streets of the villages made us feel rather warm then. The A632 was finally reached; the A632 is busy at this location; but it also rewards the brave cyclist with about half a mile of a climb at 14%. Oh boy, my 39x25 was a bit short for the climb and I was slipping on the gravel but we made it to the top. We bailed out of the busy road to cut back across the fields through beautiful narrow lanes (Wheatcroft lane, Potters lane), and resumed a game of ups and downs, although this time we really enjoyed long, fast downhills. then we climbed to Crich, by which stage we were getting tired. The way home was offered to us as we reached the A6. We raced to Derby, playing with the few other fast cyclists out yesterday, and then back home along the Derby-LE cycling route before getting back on the A6005.
5 hours in the saddle in total, around 80 mi I reckon, some tough climbs rewarded by gorgeous sceneries as well as some fast downhill and some solid motoring on the flat. I am a bit unfit (and fat!) and still lack power on the climbs at the end of long rides, but I went around without much problem this WE and I enjoyed the ride during which I actually felt rather good on all but the longest ascent.
The Peak District can really reward the adventurous cyclist with its beautiful lanes and climbs as well as sumptuous views. A great day for a ride too.