BIG 15th Birthday Weekend: Sunday Any Bike Any Rider
18 people attending
2 places left
2 people waitlisted
This event is part of the Outdoorlads *BIG 15th Birthday Celebration Weekend* and participation is intended for those attending the Celebration Weekend.
Information on the accommodation options and to sign-up:
BIG 15th Birthday Celebration Weekend (Hostel Option)
BIG 15th Birthday Celebration Weekend (Camping Option)
Rather than just pack up and go home on the Sunday of the BIG 15th Birthday Celebration Weekend, join Will on a gentle cycle to blow the cobwebs away and enjoy cake along the former railway line that runs adjacent to the venue, the Monsal Trail.
We will cycle to either end of the trail, covering approximately 30km in total (about 1.5 to 2 hours cycling), combined with a lunch stop at Hassop Cafe.
The route is viewable here, ignore the profile as there are tunnels through most of those peaks.
The Monsal Trail follows a section of the former Manchester, Buxton, Matlock and Midlands Junction Railway, built by the Midland Railway in 1863 to link Manchester with London. The line was closed in 1968. The route includes several tunnels and we pass a couple of former stations that will please the train geeks amongst you.
Any bike will be suitable for this excursion, as it's flat and reasonably surfaced. If you haven't your own bike, you can rent one from the centre.
Photos: Photos by W Allaway and used with permission.
IMPORTANT! - Participation Statement
You MUST complete a Participation Statement in addition to booking your event space before attending an OutdoorLads event. You only need to complete this Participation Statement once, not for each event you attend.
COVID-19 – IMPORTANT, Please read the following before you sign up to this event:
- Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms, even if they are extremely mild, or who lives or is in a support bubble with someone showing symptoms, is asked not to attend. This is in line with the government’s coronavirus advice.
- You must also immediately self-isolate and not attend the event if you or someone in your household or support bubble shows coronavirus symptoms or tests positive. You can find the NHS self-isolation guidance here.
- OutdoorLads’ Covid-19 Policy for hostel and BIG events applies to this event. On arrival, we will need to see evidence that you are fully vaccinated, or have registered a negative lateral flow test in the last 48 hours, or have Covid-19 antibodies. Evidence of this can be obtained via the NHS App in England, with equivalent schemes available in Wales and Scotland. Our full policy and more details can be found here.
What to bring
Your will need a bike, one with wheels.
Apart from your bike you may want some of the following:
- Puncture repair kit (or better still a spare inner tube) and tyre levers. Also any special tools that your bike needs.
- Food - bring small snacks such as biscuits, energy bars or gels, bananas, chocolate or dried fruit is great too
- A cycling bottle attached to your bike and plenty of water
- Eye protection - impact from a bee, grit or even a fly at speed is extremely unpleasant, sunglasses may do if not made of glass and not too shaded.
- Clothing: choose suitable clothes and footwear for the weather forecast and time of year. You will be exercising so lightweight layered clothing is best. Shorts are best even in rain, as they allow free movement of your legs.
- Footwear - Appropriate to your bike
- Cyclist's Helmet - Outdoorlads policy asks you to wear a helmet.
- Bag - Not essential, but if the weather is likely to be changeable or you wish to carry supplies and clothing, a small ruck sack or pannier bags attached to your bike could be very useful. We don't want you getting cold or wet.
- Bike lock - Keep your bike safe if we go for a drink
- Chocolate and a big present for Will
Food & drink
Bring a drink and a snack.
We will stop at Hassop Cafe for refreshments, maybe even lunch.