Ashbourne - Buxton Loop

In 2004 we used a 40 mile longer version of this route for support crew training practice (at night) for the JSNT team that was doing the Race Across America.

This shortened route makes a good fast training ride with a few decent climbs thrown in to keep the legs entertained.

A couple of potential cafe stops are mentioned although there are many others along the way. Strangely they were all shut that night & the view from Monsal Head was also a little disappointing in the dark.

The route is covered by OS map 119 apart from a small obvious bit in Leek.
Finish time at the RAAM

 

Total Distance Dist to next Road Comment
0 0.7 A52 Park in Ashbourne, then follow A52 signposted Leek, past Queens Arms at Mayfield & ascend Swinscoe hill
2.8 2.1 A52 Pass Dog and Partridge" public house at Swinscoe. 200m of ascent so far
4 1.2 A523 At Junction of A52 & A523 straight on (Leek).
6.7 2.7 A523 Descend into Waterhouses passing Ye Olde Crown Hotel
9.4 2.7 A523 Pass the Green Man public house
14.3 4.9 A523 In Leek turn right into Springfield Road (signposted Buxton A53) pass Fire station on right
14.4 0.1 A53 Turn right at T junstion on to A53 towards Buxton
15.3 0.9 A53 Descend a dip then a short steepish ascent follows
17.9 2.6 A53 Pass Three Horseshoes Inn at Blackshaw Moor
23.2 5.3 A53 Ascend (steep) past Ramshaw Rocks on left (look out for winking man rock), pass Royal Cottage & on to Travellers Rest pub.
25.8 2.6 A53 A long fast descent into Buston follows. Follow town centre signs
26.7 0.9 A53 Progress theough the town centre following Matlock / Bakewell A6 signs, passing the Railway Inn & under a large bridge
27.1 0.4 A6 At roundabout follow Bakewell & Matlock (Safeway on left)
32.1 5 A6 Scream down hill through wooded bends before climbing past Taddington village. Follow A6 Matlock & Bakewell
36.4 4.3 A6 After a fast descent & sweeping bends turn left at Ashford in the Water on to the A6020 to Calver & Baslow
36.6 0.2 A6020 Turn  left onto B6465 signposted Monsal Head & Wardlow
38.1 1.5 B6465 Arrive at Monsal Head - view point, café, toilets
1.9 Follow road straight opposite Monsal head pub & toilets through Great Longstone
40 1.2 Turn left & rejoin the A6020, passing under a bridge after 0.6 miles
41.2 0.9 A6020 At the roundabout, turn right onto B6001 to Bakewell
43.1 1.2 B6001 At the T junction turn right downhill on to A619 into Bakewell
3.5 A619 Pass over the bridge into Bakewell. The Bakewell tarts stand by the Wheatsheaf, Bakewell puddings are in the shop on the left :-)  At the roundabout turn left A6 Matlock
46.6 4.4 A6 Pass therough Rowsley (café & toilets at mill just before distinct right hand bend)
51 3.1 A6 Pass through Matlock (right at roundabout) & Matlock Bath to Cromford traffic lights. (beware idiot tourist drivers in Matlock Bath)
54.1 4.4 A6 Turn right & start climbing on to the B5036 signposted Wirksworth
58.5 1 B5036 Turn right near top of hill onto B5035 past National Stone Centre
59.2 0.7 B5035 At cross roads go straight over to Middleton top & Carsington
68.2 9 B5035 Pass Carsington Water and progress to Ashbourne via a short descent & climb out of Kniveton