Browse through our blog posts to find out what life is like at Hoe Grange Holidays along with some great ideas for days out in the Peak District.
Six reasons to cycle in the Peak District
May 31, 2016Archives
May 31, 2016
- Six reasons to cycle in the Peak District
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- Accessible Holidays - Cycling - Derbyshire - Eroica - High Peak Trail - Peak District - Tissington
Why not enjoy cycling in The Peak District? Here are our top six reasons to get your cycle out and get active.
Stunning views
Whether it's the undulating hills of the White Peak or the more severe steep inclines of the ragged Dark Peak the ride is always a challenge. However the reward when you reach the top and take in the stunning views is worth the effort.
Off-road action
There are plenty of off-road action packed cycle routes for keen mountain cyclists who thrive on adrenaline. Speeding down muddy tracks can be tricky but there is help at hand from mountain bike guides if you feel your confidence needs a boost, or you want to improve your skills.Pubs and picnics
Don't despair if you haven't been on a bike for years, or can't face the uphill struggle! There are plenty of options for more leisurely routes along the safe traffic free trails so you can take in the stunning scenery.It's much more social and the gradual gradients are Ideal for taking the children along too - more fun than a spin class at the gym and with the added bonus that you can take a picnic for some family fun. Alternatively you can stop off at Edward and Vintage sweet shop in Tissington for some delicious fudge, linger at Bassettwood Farm for a cream tea or refresh yourself with a pint at The Old Dog.
You can read more about cycling in the Peak District in this article by journalist Klaus Herzmann - that is if you are fluent in German!
Access for All
The old railway lines throughout Derbyshire are very popular trails for walkers and cyclists.The gradual gradients necessary for the old steam engines make the trails perfect cycling for families with young children and people with access difficulties.
If you haven't got your own bike there are cycle hire centres at Parsley Hay, Middleton Top and Carsington Water, which also hire a range of adapted bikes.Or for the ultimate experience you can hire our Hoe Grange Boma 7 off-road wheelchair. The High Peak Trail (route 54) runs along side Hoe Grange farm so you can access the trail directly by trekking across the fields. There are some good circular cycling routes from Middleton Top.
Eroica Britannia
Don't miss Eroica Britannia - a spectacular 3 day race and family festival in Bakewell from Friday 17th to Sunday 19th June. The highlight of the event is the cycle race where 3,000 cyclists take to the Derbyshire hills on various routes riding pre-1987 bikes and wearing vintage clothing - an amazing spectacle to behold.Join in the fun - there is so much to see and do, from a good old fashioned vintage fairground, live music, to acres of vintage sales, amazing shops and the GRAZE specialist Food Festival. You can relax on the beach or join in the vintage style family Sports Day on The Sporting Lawns. Why not get dressed up in your vintage best for Best in Show and impress the judges, including Patrick Grant, British fashion designer and judge from The Great British Sewing Bee?
Derby Velodrome
For those of a more competitive nature Hoe Grange is just 30 minutes travel from the Derby Arena, where there are plenty of opportunities to train and race on the superb velodrome. The Derby velodrome is also used for British cycling's Rider Route.
This amazing high tech cycle race track is built from 26 miles worth of wood sourced from the Russian spruce forests of Siberia. If all the planks were laid end to end, there would be enough to stretch from Derby to Leicester!
Throughout the six weeks it took to install, over 265,000 nails were hand-driven into the 250m track and aside from the coloured racing lines, there is no other finish on the track.
So make the most of your stay in our self-catering log cabins at Hoe Grange - pack a picnic, grab the map, get into gear on your bike and tackle those Derbyshire hills. You may pant and puff up the hills, but just think of the freedom of freewheeling back down!Felicity








