Peaky Blinder of a ride

A day in the Peaks on a sunny Sunday in August is all you need to recharge for the week ahead.

Saul, Andrew, Tom, and I met in Glossop to tackle a 25-mile loop through the Peaks, hitting climbs like Jacob’s Ladder, Roche Road, and a mix of other classics. Around 6,000 feet of rocky climbing lay ahead—tough going, but I’d brought the right tool for the job. My Santa Cruz Blur CC was built for a day like this, and I was glad I’d chosen it.

Saul and Andre took the harder route, riding rigid singlespeeds (32–17t and 32–18t), while Tom rolled in on his hardtail with front suspension. Café stops were rare on this loop, so we’d wisely packed lunches—a good shout, given the relentless climbing.

The weather was warm, the trails dusty, and every climb seemed to squeeze that little bit more out of us. But the payoff came at Sett Valley Café, where cold drinks and cake gave us just enough energy to punch out the final climb and enjoy a fast descent back to the car.

A brilliant day out: quiet trails, big climbs, and the best kind of catch-up with friends.