Pennine Brideway South

[giryan]

Well, I'm back from my first ride! :D

It went really well, I rode from Middleton Top to Summit
https://www.strava.com/activities/372414302

I started Sunday afternoon with the idea that I could have an easy start, before getting into it on Monday.
The first section went really fast as I barrelled along the high peak trail, and then over off to camp at Beech Croft Farm, I wasn't really sure what the terrain would be like until the next spot to stop, and as it was my first night in the tent opted to try it all out somewhere safe and convenient. :)
All of my gear worked well. I was really glad for the down jacket as it started to cool down once I stopped riding, and started to pitch up, and made a great pillow at bedtime.
The tent was just about big enough, all of my bags happily went down one side, and I could nearly sit up. the sleeping bag Vauve Kiowa 300UL was possibly too warm, I slept with it unzipped all the way. Alpkit Airo 120 was long and comfortable enough.
The Yellowstone Aurora Cookset worked, it didn't burn very well, there was a lot of soot on the pan, but it worked, and was cheap. Definitely an area for weight loss and performance improvement.
https://instagram.com/p/6c-80nqh1F
After cooking some food I wandered over a hill to the Church Inn in Chelmorton for a very nice, and deserved pint.

Monday morning, I was up early and raring to go, and after some breakfast I packed up and was on the trail again.
The first descent into the Wye dale was great, although the climb out of the far side was a hint of what was to come, as the grass too slippy from dew and steep, and so I had to get off and push.
https://instagram.com/p/6e7mv2Khxo
Made it to Hayfield for a great time for lunch, the Roundhouse in the middle of Hayfield served up a great burger, and cake to refuel me.

https://instagram.com/p/6fUwRfqh1X/
Midafternoon I found that most of the cafes and places near Charlesworth are closed on Mondays, so couldn't find nice bonus refreshment until I found a lovely little coffeeshop in Hadfield.
National Grid are doing loads of work on Pylons over Lees hil and into Brushes Valley which caused some minor diversions which made for interesting stuff to look at.
From there it was down to Greenfield and the Tame valley. At that point I was beginning to flag, from looking at the map there wasn't a lot of space to camp in the valley I looked for a B&B. I found the Waggon Inn in Uppermill after some very interesting instructions from the locals in a pub in greenfield :)
A bath and an amazing dinner later and I was sleeping sooo comfortably :)

The following morning and it was off again! :)
I didn't ache like I did the night before, but the first big hill out of Diggle showed that my legs weren't great, and the weather was worsening :(
So out came a wind proof jacket, and I continued, I was enjoying it, but definitely having a harder time than the day before.
The Ram's Head providing really welcome warmth, coffee, and Apple Pie for a mid morning break, but thoughts of finding somewhere to stop began, I resolved to get as far as Summit, and the start of the Mary Towneley loop at before actually deciding
So, I prised myself out, after a second cup, and set off despite feeling one or two drops of what could have been rain.
It was spitting by the time I got to the M62, but it felt great, as good as spotting Manchester from a hilltop the previous day :D
A short respite of road by the Hollingworth Lake was followed by another ascent into the hills, I might have been exhausted and aching, but it was really satisfying to push on up them, trying not to get off to walk the bike much, even though the steeper rocky sections were getting a little slippy.
Another small pause was had chatting to a farmer who runs an animal retirement farm above summit, he was a really nice guy, and was interested in my bike too, He used to have a really nice Cannondale that he regretted selling to his cousin a few years ago. But I had to leave the alpacas, ponies, pigs, and the rhea behind and continue.
The section of moor behind the farm was terrible, steep to the point a talented trials rider would probably struggle, let alone me with a laden bike, but soon I was onto an amazing descent into summit, a lovely bit of rolling moor with good choices of track and not too much loose rock was a great finale, because by that point, despite resolving to wait until Summit, the aches and rain had basically decided me, I didn't feel like heading into what looked like an even harder portion of ride as the weather had turned.
I made it to the junction with the loop though, and after a little celebrating I found some shelter from the rain and looked at how to get home. Happily Littleborough Station is really well served, and so very shortly I was on the way to Manchester, and on to home.

My bike stood up really well, I need to check the chain & cassette as late on in the ride there were a couple of chain jumps when climbing hard, but other than that it was brilliant.
Other equipment wise, I'm definitely going to look at some sort of frame bag, either a big one, or something like an AlpKit Possum, as there was definitely too much weight on the handlebars.
I think I over packed on the food front a bit, but if I'd been out for the 4 days I originally thought of it would have been good.
I have no idea if I packed enough by way of tools or first aid kit etc, as nothing went wrong :D

[ootini]

Great write up! Very enjoyable stuff.

[whitestone]

There are some steep hills around Saddleworth!

It's worth writing out a list of everything you took then cross out everything you used. Add remarks on what worked and what didn't. The items not crossed out were essentially extra weight for the trip (obvious exceptions of toolkit, spares and first aid kit) so you can think about leaving them behind. Sometimes it depends on the weather: I didn't use some clothing on the YD300 but if the second day had been fine then I would have used it but not used other stuff so I probably got it right.

[mikehowarth]

Great stuff, sounds like a good trip out.

I'm riding this section at the weekend looking to it.