Riding On The Peaks - Was I Just Unlucky?

[KTMsm]

I'm equidistant between Wales and the Peak District, haven't been to the Peaks for years and as the weather was better there today with just a few showers forecast, decided to take the bike there

Googled for good roads / views I was aware the speed limits had been lowered and there were some average speed cameras but fk me

It was rammed with cars even though the weather wasn't the best and a huge amount of cyclists causing tailbacks as cars couldn't overtake them - I've done more filtering today than I've done in the last year !

After the trip up there via A515 and the first half, I was ready to call it a day, luckily the second half was clearer

Couldn't face the speed cameras on the A515 coming back and cut back through Twycross - what a difference, quiet roads, no speed cameras

Was I just unlucky / did I pick the wrong roads or is that what the Peak District is like now ?

[anonymous-user]

I've always found it not worth it, especially as I'm just on the Shropshire border so turn left at the end kf my road and its all country roads into Wales

I had a similar experience when I made the effort to go up there.

[Mr Squarekins]

Just a combination of weekend and weather.

My strategy is to be on the homeward leg as mist people are setting out.

I got to the welsh coast, 120 miles from home, by 9am. All of the roads to myself. Best time of the day.

On the homeward leg by midday.

[KTMsm]

I agree it's better to set out early but I was out for eight hours so you're going to come across other people

I thought there would be less on a weekend than during the week

Wales and Yorkshire upwards are completely deserted in comparison to today's experience

[Lost Soul]

If the red line is your route, it covers the vast majority of the main routes through the Peak District

[Slowboathome]

Peak District has been mobbed at weekends since people discovered it during lockdown.

I'll only ride in it during the week nowadays.

[KTMsm]

Slowboathome said:

I'll only ride in it during the week nowadays.

I sometimes ride all day in the week but that means trying to avoid both rush hours - I thought the weekend would be quieter particularly as it was forecast to be overcast with showers

[tamore]

i live smack in the middle of the peak district. the traffic is constant now, and the general level of road craft has plummeted.

[airsafari87]

The trick is to go out really early to enjoy the quiet roads.

Ohhhh and to avoid wherever those roadside ‘Biker Pics’ type photographers are going to be.
I had to make a trip over to Helmsley and Thirsk last weekend at around 10.30 and I have never seen as many bikes on that road, was only when I passed the Biker Pics gadgey I realised why it was so busy.

[akadk]

Peaks is way to busy during normal hours.

Population density is much higher than Wales etc

Also tricky to overtake as it’s not as open as Wales

It’s either crack of dawn or dusk FTW

[ChocolateFrog]

I've found the minor roads to be better than the main roads.

Better for a bimble. If you want a proper hoon then you're going to have to do what 28 days later did for the London scene.

Edited by ChocolateFrog on Sunday 18th June 20:13

[Alickadoo]

airsafari87 said:

The trick is to go out really early to enjoy the quiet roads.

Yes, but we have had the earliest sunrise.

Mornings are going to be darker from now on.

[200Plus Club]

Midweek and early when all the cyclists are in bed or working etc is your only chance.
We head further north now rather than into Derbyshire at weekends, around Holmfirth/ Huddersfield but its still a Lottery with 3 abreast or more cycling fans..

[KTMsm]

So I should have asked you lot first

Here's a pic of one group I just couldn't get past

[200Plus Club]

KTMsm said:

So I should have asked you lot first

Here's a pic of one group I just couldn't get past

I'd happily sit behind a group like that, unfortunately the peak district seems to attract mainly overweight middle aged bumbling road captains these days. Bulging lycra in all the wrong places !

[bogie]

A few weeks ago we were up early Sunday AM and rode to Matlock for brekkie, then we did a similar route to yourself before heading home after lunch, back to NE Notts and Lincs. Most of the way there through Notts into Derbyshire we were in bleeding 50mph limits and then it continued. We had a frustrating mornings ride, much busier than anticipated for most of the time . When we made it home that afternoon we agreed, it was not worth the effort.

In hindsight heading into the centre of the country to a popular tourist area and expecting deserted roads was not such a great idea Shame as I previously have had a number of memorable road trips around the peaks on bike and car...but it was 15-20 years ago....

[Mr Squarekins]

Snowdonia can be the same now. Much much busier than even ten years ago. Still great, but no so much a wilderness at weekends.

[Rubin215]

Cyclists.

Not wanting to start another hate-thread because I am also an occasional cyclist, but the selfish behaviour of two abreast on twisty windy roads does my head in.
Quite happy for a large group to clump up as it makes it easier to get past, but when it's only two or maybe three and they are performing the lycra-clad rolling-roadblock I am glad we don't have ready access to handguns in the UK...

[popeyewhite]

Rubin215 said:

Cyclists.

Not wanting to start another hate-thread because I am also an occasional cyclist, but the selfish behaviour of two abreast on twisty windy roads does my head in.
Quite happy for a large group to clump up as it makes it easier to get past, but when it's only two or maybe three and they are performing the lycra-clad rolling-roadblock I am glad we don't have ready access to handguns in the UK...

The above.

They are a plague. I'm a cyclist and motorcyclist btw. We seem to have a considerable increase in 10 - 15 bike pelotons this year. Local farmers put a sign up in Rainow opposite the local primary school last year: "Who needs speed limits when you're overrun with cyclists?"

Also yes lockdown brought the city dwellers into the PD, but the area has been rammed for years. Sunday night after 7 is best, I do the Macc - Whaley Bridge - Buxton - Leek - C+A to Macc circuit most Sundays and progress is quite unhindered.

[ChocolateFrog]

Cyclists are a virtual Irrelevance to motorcycling.

I do fairly equal amounts of both.

Doubt I've been held up on my motorbike by cyclists for more than a minute cumulatively in the last 24 years of riding.

Even when there are cars it's not like you clear the cars and then bikes and it's motoring nirvana, you're still up behind the next car or lorry within a minute or two.