Ride Report - Sett Valley Way

A FABULOUS DAY IN THE HILLS.

Despite the cold and icy conditions four of us set off at a later start of 11am bound for the Sett Valley Way between New Mills and Hayfield.

We quickly made our way to join the canal at Buxton Road and followed it as far as Clarke Lane. Climbing up through Kerridge we skirted around White Nancy to drop down the other side into Ingersley Vale. We took the short steep path onto Mill Lane then up Spuley Lane through Pott Shrigley to Lyme Park.

Fighting our way through the crowds we descended Mudhurst Lane to cross Buxton Old Road down Ward and Lower Greenshall Lanes. Although these lanes started well, they soon degenerated into a technical rocky descent which is either great or terrible depending on your point of view!

We had an easier time once we joined the Peak Forest Canal headed East then a quick bit of tarmac through New Mills to join the Sett Valley Way. Our first choice of cafe, the Sett Valley cafe was closed for refurbishment so we continued into Hayfield. Our Second choice, Rosie’s was very packed and cycle parking was very limited so we struck lucky at Millie’s. Although we did have to wait a little while for our food we were rewarded with one of the tastiest lunches including rather scrummy vegan flapjack can you believe!

After leaving Hayfield we rode the boring A6015 road out until we hit the climb on Oven Hill Road. Half way along the n changes to r to become Over Hill Road, and along this rocky, puddle strewn byway we enjoyed sunkissed stunning views of the Peaks as we skirted around the Western flanks of Chinley Churn. Dropping down into Buxworth Mark had a mishap on a patch of ice and although escaped without injury had managed to jam the chain between the cranks and the lower suspension. It was looking like a rescue was imminent but fortunately Craig managed to release it and we could continue.

By the time we dropped into Whalley Bridge at just after 3pm the temperature and freezing fog descended so we decided to curtail any further off-road adventures and head back via Kettleshume and Pott Shrigley.

At the end of the ride we were back in Macclesfield around 4.15pm after thirty odd miles and around 3400 feet of (quite tough!) climbing.

Kudos to Nigel, Craig and Mark H for making the day a success.

Phil K

Over Hill Road