We're just trail riders, nowt special at all. I mostly ride a singlespeed, but haven't drilled the rims out (yet), and that inevitably means walking some of the climbs. In fact, it probably weighs more than Derek's geared bike.

I thought the idea was a nice, sociable paced group ride? Nothing for anyone to wet themselves over. Derek is fairly civilised and only occasionally punches people (mainly motocrossers who annoy him), Juan is pleasant enough provided he has taken his tablets, and I'm usually just happy to be let out of the house.

I've met Derek before - he'd cycled from Chesterfield to Edale to join our ride and then thrashed me up the big hills on his singlespeed

Nice guy though!

 OK well I feel fairly re-assured now Chris! 

Derek -  sorry to be a pain but I don't think I can make tomorrow's ride.. However I am definately up for starting next Thursday!!

Dan : / wrote (see)

I am mildly wetting myself (if that's possible).

Until recently I was riding a 35lb Foes FXR; that should give you an indication of a) my fitness and b) my inclination towards hills.

Are you guys all on ultra light singlespeeds with drilled rims?

Hmmm... I do have a singlespeed, somewhere, but it's not exactly ultralight and I broke all my drilled rims. Mostly for the last year, I've been riding a 30lb Pace RC405. I do occasionally ride with some properly fast people, but believe me, I'm quite normal on a bike. Honest

Hi

I've just been following this thread and wondered if you are still planning to ride on Thursday next week (5th) if so where, and are incomers allowed?

We ride cross country, but are currently not that fit, too much work and not enough play unfortunately. We have got some good lights which haven't been used nearly enough, so it would be good to get out mid week again.

TPG - Next week (5th) is definitely on. Since it's Bonfire Night we'll probably head up Whinstonelee Tor and launch some rockets into the void.

I'm riding tonight. 19:00hrs tonight in the car park opposite Stuart's garage in Hope.

Hello Derek, and Chris for that matter.

Just happened to be looking on here and saw your post. It's great to hear your both still riding. You know, we still ride bikes and we do miss both of yours company, just we dont organise it on here anymore.

You should join us one day, but it means using another website...which you should join, if you dont like it close your account, It wont cost you anything, and if you do like it you can ride/keep in touch with us all.

You mean the broken road that runs up directly from Castleton? Yep, still very rideable, still disintegrating slowly, but yes, straightforward, fast, easy climb. Or do you mean Chapel Gate?

So... Thursday evening? Fireworks? Where? 

Thursday 5th - Fireworks launch site Whinstone Lee Tor. Meet in the car park in Hope for 19:00, make our way to WLT via Roman Road, Hope Brinks, "Roller-coaster". Across the dam. 'Easy' way up WLT. Launch rockets, eat cake, Return via East side of Derwent res., old railway line and the lanes to Hope.

Is that a plan?

Juan Doran wrote (see)

You mean the broken road that runs up directly from Castleton? Yep, still very rideable, still disintegrating slowly, but yes, straightforward, fast, easy climb. Or do you mean Chapel Gate?

So... Thursday evening? Fireworks? Where? 

Do I need to shave my legs, wear Assos lycra and ride a singlespeed?

No. You just need some lights and a bicycle.

Yes the broken road that runs out of Castleton, and it's still disintegrating then!

Yes and has been for ages. I once met the structural engineer who had been in charge of trying to stop it falling to pieces at the top of the broken road. He goes back for a look once a year apparently. Bottom line, the road should never have been built there in the first place, it's simply too unstable. Mam Tor is known as the shivering mountain you know and is basically falling apart...

See ya tomorrow night guys. Also Hayfield this evening if anyone else is out?

Hi Derek

We are still hoping to join you tomorrow, so which car park are we looking at in Hope....., is it a mix of on and off road.... how long is the ride and do we need to bring oxygen? and do I sound completely paranoid about not being able to keep up??????

 And last but not least is there a pub at the end of it?

Hi, Chris here not Derek

The usual meet up is the car park opposite the Woodbine Cafe in Hope, 7:00. the one by the public loos.

The route that Derek described is mostly off road for the first half, with some lanes and track on the way back to Hope at the end. I'm sure there will be enough oxygen around for all of us...

There are pubs in Hope, but I'll be heading off home after the ride ... I have an early start Friday

TPG - As Chris says it's a mixture of road and off-road. It will probably take us an hour and a bit to get to the 'launch site', half an hour of faffing with fireworks and then about half an hour or three quarters of an hour to return. Say, two and a half hours.

See you all tonight.