Dirty Weekender PEAK DISTRICT
Even off-season, Castleton village draws a decent number of outdoor types, who benefit from the quieter trails and easy parking. I actually prefer riding here away from peak times, because the harsher weather seems to suit the rough and rugged scenery, and I like having the trails to ourselves. After making the most of the cafe, we head out of the village, aiming for 517m-high Mam Tor. The name means ‘Mother Hill’ – so-called because frequent landslips have resulted in multiple mini-hills beneath it. While the road that traversed it was officially closed in 1979, it’s still open to cyclists – although you need to be careful of the hidden drops!
At the top, a big puddle forces our tired legs to produce one more burst of power to get through. And, as one of our group discovers, if you don’t have the momentum when you meet a submerged rock in the murky depths, you’re going to get wet. The ride down the backside of Mam Tor is a just reward for our efforts though (apart from
