Yesterday an out and back on the Arkose. Down to Youlgreave and up to Middleton, Gratton, Elton and Winster before a bit of an off road slog up a rutted lane, with 4 gates to lift the bike over, to within 150 yds of the TP at Blakelow Hill. Finally two barbed wire fences to roll under to reach the TP. Won't be going there again in a hurry.
Back under the fences, over the gates and down the rutted lane again onto a less rutted lane before the relief of tarmac. Having been on road tyres recently being back on the Arkose with its knobblies is such hard work. Back home by the same route in reverse.
Only 21 miles, 4 of them off road, and 2'497 feet in a tortoise like 2hrs 2 min. Had to don the old waterproof top on the return as it started to rain, not very hard but icily cold. No other cyclist seen.
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