Words by Pete, Photos by Butty and Pete
Route : 28 BL , Buxton Road, Cat and Fiddle, Longnor , Back via Flash, Gradbach and Burntcliff Top (and a wonderfully named place ”Higher Bangs”) to the Rose and Crown at Allgreave.
Wildboarclough Valley – Standing stone – home .
Crew : El Pres, Butty, Slim, Troll….and eventually Mr K
Conditions : fantastic
It was a brilliant Presidential Plan .
Out to Longnor on road-ish bikes.
The weather was still excellent.
The views and the route the same.
Kestrel hovering as we climb away from the A54 junction towards the gap in Axe Edge .
Library Photo
Good to be clear of the Cat and Fiddle road and those bloody motorbikes
the White Peak limestone territory is so different. Fast, sweeping, single-car width roads with cattle grids .
A little stop for sausage roll and mustard near Chrome Hill. Rusty nail warm is still ok .
Then the last three miles into Longnor.
Strange reception for the Troll in the chippy – they did not appreciate his wit . And he was the only enthusiast for pickled eggs.
Kersh suddenly arrived just as our fish and chips and mushy were being served.
Posh carbon Bianchi road bike. Weighs nothing.
And he looks like he has been training.
We take his suggested route back to find the Rose and Crown. It’s an excellent one as well. Rolling and quiet. Setting sun , good post sunset sky.
Lone buzzard on a fence.
back via Gradbach , Flash and Burntcliff Top
We finally reach the Rose and Crown on the A54 just after 10pm , with Mr K at the bar keeping the landlady in conversation. There are tall tales of 20th Century hangings at the HG. The beer is iffy, the lager more reliable .
We depart pub close to the witching hour , and it is a long (but not unpleasant) ride home .
late to bed but a memorable TNR !!