On top of the world!

On a bleak night some time in the winter, Stuart, Paul and I sat in the Horseshoes contemplating the bike season ahead and what to do, and so the seed was sown “A boys weekend somewhere on the bikes”.
Somewhere quickly turned to the Peak District, before we knew it the dates had been agreed and we’d even found a biker friendly B&B, at the time Friday 23rd June 2006 seemed so far off.
With all the planning completed the day soon came, there I was Friday morning doing the final checks on the bike, luggage security etc, under a beaming hot sun and clear blue sky’s.
We agreed to meet at Stuart’s. All fuelled up and ready to go, Paul and I turned up and the three of us made the final agreements on the route, watering holes and fuel stops, and then we were off.
As virgin two wheel tourers we agreed to stop every 100 miles, this as the more experienced of you will know, soon runs into time on the bike rather than miles covered. As normal the traffic on the A17 was horrendous so the farm shop seemed an appropriate coffee stop.
It soon came to light that Friday’s probably isn’t the best day to travel, but we picked our way through the traffic, really appreciating being on two wheels as we sliced our way through one traffic jam after another. Thanks to Paul’s excellent route planning we had a safe, enjoyable and uneventful trip.
Fortunately the lovely weather we had left in Norfolk had decided to follow us all the way to the Peaks. On arrival at our B&B we found a welcome together with some breath taking views. After a shower and change we relaxed and enjoyed the panoramic views, as our hosts discussed the surrounding area and earlier two wheeled visitors that had stayed before us.
After a lazy couple of hours chatting with our hosts, we took their advice and went off in search of the recommended hostelry. “There are two pubs opposite one another, we recommend the one on the right, the foods good, and the other is a bit noisy”.
The brochure clearly stated the pubs to be “only five minutes walk!” so off we set. Fortunately the 5 minute walk which actually took 15 minutes was down hill, we arrived in a welcoming village pub and the food was well worth the walk.
Friday nights appears to be the local’s night out, the pub soon filled up and as it was such a warm evening we ate our meals and retired to the garden. At this point we soon realised the difference in pubs, the other “lively” pub faced on the beer garden. The locals appeared to get their entertainment screaming with delight as the on coming traffic narrowly missed cars coming in the opposite direction. So joyously they screamed as the tyres screeched and another accident was narrowly avoided.
Stuart wasted no time in phoning his family back home, walking towards the rear gate so we couldn’t hear him declare his undying love for her. As he turned around to face us he was met with the most amazing back drop to the pub which lifted us all.
As the sun started to set we started to feel the day journey catching up so we headed off for the five minute walk back to our B&B! The uphill (bloody steep up hill) walk back was just what the doctor ordered after a full meal and a few pints and half an hour later we arrived back. Off to bed as the hills came alive to sound of Stuart snoring!
The following morning Stuart awoke completely refreshed as Paul, myself and the heard of sheep on the hills behind our B&B awoke with head aches. It was raining so we had a leisurely breakfast (which kept us going all day), had a walk through the village and by the time we returned the rain had stopped.
We set off midmorning for our first days riding around the peak district, the route was planned to be a basic figure eight of the district, taking in the Snake Pass and the Cat and Fiddle run.
Due to the playful police coverage we agreed to stick to speed limits and not risk challenging the police helicopters that trawl the area picking on unsuspecting bikers.
The roads were still damp as we set off down the Snake Pass, the views where fantastic, which is something that couldn’t be said of the road condition, you’d have to be an idiot to want to ride down there fast.
Our first stop of the day was at the Lady Bower pub. Situated beside the famous Lady Bower reservoir, this reservoir is best known for being the testing ground used for the bouncing bomb development. Paul and I used our charm and charisma to woo what turned out to be the land ladies mother, thinking she was the land lady herself, worked in our favour anyway!
Back on the bikes again heading for Bakewell and than Buxton. We came we saw and we left, as we rode into both places I was disappointed to note just how commercialised they were and that really wasn’t what we were looking for. We did stop for short breaks, but it wasn’t the sight seeing I envisaged.
After riding several roads we ended up on the infamous Cat and Fiddle run. As the heading states, my ears popped and I felt like I was riding to the top of the world, you could see for miles, that’s probably what the motorcycle cop sitting in the car park at the Cat and Fiddle thought, giving our bikes the once over as we rode into the car park.
Another coffee break was taking as we enjoyed the panoramic views. Friendly lot those Peaky People, as we sat enjoying the surroundings a lonely biker approached us to tell all the bad things that had happened on the surrounding roads, the longer he stayed to gloomier his stories got, most inspiring character that we think may have been un undercover policeman!
After he tales of whoa he proceeded to tell us of the fastest routes, showing us on the map how to get there. He then mounted his bike and attempted to impress us by accelerating up the road, missing a gear and once out of sight (or so he thought) slowing right down.
Turning right out of the Cat and Fiddle we soon found ourselves on some of the best roads I think I’ve ever ridden, they where fantastic. Deciding to take our new found friends advice we ended up heading in the direction of the fastest road, stopping on route to fill the bike up with some much needed motion lotion.
Considering he was such a plonker he did do us a favour. We soon found ourselves approaching the road in question, not breaking every speed limit as he suggested we rode the route and it was fantastic, the scenery was breathtaking. So much so that we would end up revisiting it the following day!
Heading back in the direction of our B&B we stopped off allowing Stuart and Paul time to do a sponsored walk in search of the cash point and toilet, it was a bloody hot day for walking the streets in leathers.
Back at the B&B, we showered and set off in the direction of our favoured pub for a meal. On route Paul and Stuart tried to persuade me to try an Indian restaurant. As I know little of the menu’s I knew Stuart would use this as an opportunity to give me the shits so we carried on to the faithful old pub.
Back at the B&B, Stuart once again entertained us with his wind instruments and nasal noises. The sheep came down from the hills thinking a storm was imminent.
Next morning and another fantastic Breakfast, after a brief stroll we loaded our bikes, paid the landlady and set off. So impressed by the Plonkers route we decided on a detour to take another aspect of the route, stopping to take a few snaps. Unfortunately the warm air had caused some mist but the views where still as breathtaking as the previous day.
On to our final destination Matlock Bath, we stopped off in the centre of some town for a coffee, excellent location to watch the heroics of bikers on route to Matlock.
After a short stop we continued on our journey, arriving in Matlock about midday. As those of you who have visited before will know this is a Mecca for bikes, and traffic wardens! You can stop for one hour before he creeps up in an attempt to screw a ticket into you.
Under the baking hot sun we rested under a tree watch the world of bikes go up and down. We made one little lads day as he thought our helmets belonged to the “power ranges”, I don’t think he realised how close he was to action heroes!
And then it was time to head off home. I have never been more thankful for the World Cup, the roads were deserted and we had a fantastic ride home, no cellulite on my arse by the time we arrived back in Norfolk, but the whole weekend was fantastic.
Will we do it again, too right; we all agreed that we had never had so much fun on the bikes without breaking a single speed limit. That company was excellent, superb and welcoming B&B and areally good introduction to a touring weekend.

Orleans

Maynestone Road

Chinley

High Peak

Derbyshire

SK23 6AQ

England

Tel. + 44 (0)1663 750640.

If you are considering a similar weekend you won’t be disappointed staying at this location.