Book Review: Cycling in the Peak District

If you love cycling but sometimes find it hard to know where to ride then it’s worth investing in a guide book or two. We love pouring over a new route and planning our next adventure and we reckon you will too. This month we’re planning an autumn trip to the Peak District - here’s why:

The Peak District is Britain’s first and best-loved national park and has been well known by walkers for years, but now it is a popular cycling destination too. Its network of quiet lanes, gentle off-road trails and stunning upland views are perfect for two-wheeled exploration.

The Cycling In The Peak District guidebook describes 20 varied day routes right across the park, suitable for a range of abilities, as well as a 3-5 day (255km) ‘Tour de Peak District’ circling the whole area and stopping at charming Derbyshire towns and villages - so there’s something for everyone.

The routes in this guidebook are intended for anyone of average fitness or better and uses many of the region’s quiet lanes, bridleways, byways and ancient paths.

Most of the routes are suitable for families with older children who have mastered the rules of the road and many of the routes in this guidebook make use of National Cycle Network routes which are often waymarked via signs on lampposts and other street furniture.

All 20 day routes are graded by distance, gradient, terrain and ascent from Easy to Hard, and range from 8 miles through to 30 miles so it’s fairly easy to choose which is best for you.

And like all good guidebooks all the ‘must see’ sights are clearly identified and described so you won’t miss a thing - we wholeheartedly recommend stopping to take in the views!

Factfile: Cycling in the Peak District
21 routes in and around the National Park
by Chiz Dakin
Published by Cicerone Press
Price: £12.95 (printed or ebook)
Best bit: You can buy individual routes or chapters to read online, on your mobile device or to download as a PDF to print or read. Perfect!
More information/buy: www.cicerone.co.uk

Danielle Sellwood, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine