A flat ride in a mountainous area (The Tissington Trail (Ashbourne))

Member Name: yackers1

Product:	The Tissington Trail (Ashbourne)
Date:	07/12/08 (594 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great for the whole family

Disadvantages: A lot of 'traffic', other users tend to be rude and selfish, only 13.5 miles long

****History****

The Tissington railway was one of the last Victorian railways - opening in 1899. It supplied milk to London and there were several quarries that opened up along the track sending limestone to the industrial areas. The railway closed in 1967 and the trail was opened shortly after.

Unfortunately, the Tissington Trail does not cover the whole length of the original railway - it consists of 13.5 miles from Parsley Hay to Ashbourne.

****Getting there****

The Tissington trail starts (or ends if you are coming the other way) in Parsley Hay. To get there you need to take the A515 Buxton to Ashbourne road and then turn off on the B5055. Follow the tourist cycle sign and you will arrive at the start of the Tissington Trail.

****Start of the trail****

At the start of the trail there are some small outbuildings consisting of a cafe and food outlet, a cycle hire shop, cycling acessories shop, outside seating and public toilets.

My partner and I stumbled across this place whilst searching for bike hire in the Peak District. Having never been to the Peak District before it was a real fluke finding such an idylic location.
Unfortunately we could not take our bikes and decided to hire some. The cost was £11 for four hours, or £22 for the day. We only wanted a quick hack so opted for the four hours.

To start with I thought that £11 per bike (plus a £20 deposit) was quite steep. But then again, I was expecting a real piece of junk that was unloved and had been treated badly and poorly maintained. You know, the sort of bike where it jumps out of gear, the brakes don't work, the frame is rusty, the wheels are buckled etc etc. What we actually received was quite the opposite - an excellently prepared and maintained Claud Butler with full front suspension.

Parsley Hay sits on the point where the Tissington Trail meets the High Peak Trail. Having never been to the Peaks before we were undecided which Trail to take.

It was time to select a trail using the most scientific way we could think of - tossing a coin. Some would have looked at the length of the trails, some would have seen what is on offer along each trail but we just tossed a coin.
The coin spun in the air and landed Tails. The Tissington it was.

****The Tissington Trail today****

As mentioned before the Tissington Trail runs from Parsley Hay to Ashbourne.

Along the way there is:

Hartington Station - 2 miles from Parsley Hay
Alsop en le Dale - 7 miles from Parsley Hay
Tissington - 10 miles from Parsley Hay
Thorpe - 11.5 miles from Parsley Hay
Mapleton Lane - 13.5 miles from Parsley Hay

The signal box at Hartington Station has been preserved and it is possible to go in and see how it worked. We didn't bother since we were too keen to go for a hack. It is one regret I have but I definitely will be going back to take a look.

A disadvantage of the Tissington trail is that you go to the end (or stop at a point inbetween) and back again. It is not a circular route. It is possible to make it a circular route by adding off road trails to different sections of the trail. Unfortunately we did not have an ordance survey map to make a circular route. I can only imagine that going off the beaten track will be hard core and quite technical - something I am not yet good enough, or fit enough for.

****The experience****

Driving to Parsley Hay I was starting to get quite apprehensive. On the way we were driving up dale and down vale. We were stuck amongst undulating (but very steep) hills with significant drops either side. Don't get me wrong - the scenery was absolutely breath taking and I never realised how beautiful the Peaks are. However, it is total contrast to flat Norfolk and I thought that there was no way my fitness levels are up to the standard required for scaling these hills.

It is a haven for both cyclists and motorcyclists alike. I can see why for the motorcycles due to a mixture of long sweeping bends and tight hairpin style turns, the change in contours - hills, valleys, flats, the open moorland and the quaint villages. It all adds up to an awesome ride - and one that I will definitely be doing in the future.

However, for cyclists? I guess some people's thing is exerting them selves and pushing them selves to the limit. Unfortunately, this is not my idea of fun. Riding up steep inclines that are miles long and then going even higher .................... However, I do take my hat off to those guys I saw riding. Super fit is not the phrase.

Back to the trail - I thought that the trail would be like the road in that we would have steep incline after incline and then a small descent etc. "this is going to be one short ride" I thought.

We started off along the trail. The ground was flat, hard and stony. Without even thinking, "It's weird you know. All these undulating and steep hills and this trail is flatter than Norfolk. I can't understand it" I blurted out to my other half. She looked at me in disbelief and then I realised what I had just said. "How many trains have you seen that travel up and down hills? Usually the track carves it's way through a valley" The reply was harsh but fair. I laughed it off but felt so stupid it was unbelievable.
We carried on along the trail taking in the amazing scenery, undulating hills, stone walls, wild life etc. and to add to the experience there was even the stench of sheep.

****Other users****

The cyclists vary from those that are super keen and all "lycra'd" up to the young families just out for a leisurely ride, and everything in between. This can make the cycling a bit dangerous.........

Avoiding parents dragging along the toddlers enclosure, the parents with the adult/child tandem, the young children wobbling all over the place, the senior citizens barely riding at walking pace make this trail a challenge.

There are trail rules and most users stick to them. Due to the narrowness you are expected to move over to the left and in single file when passing oncoming users. When overtaking slower riders or ramblers you are meant to use the bell to let them know to pull over. I actually think this is quite rude - and other users do too. Many ignore the bells and instead wait for you to ask them to move over.

As with everday life there are little spats between ramblers and cyclists and cyclists and horse riders - and even cyclists and cyclists. This is a real shame since it ruins the experience for everyone. Examples I found were a large group of ramblers with dogs taking up the whole width of the path. These ignorant people carried on walking and foerced us off our bikes and in to the hedge - not even a word of thanks was muttered. On the other hand though I did see many cyclists that remained three abreast forcing ramblers in to the hedge.

We did the trail 2 Sundays ago - and I can only assume that it will get busier as the season goes on. I can only guess that this is the time to avoid the trail.

****Time trailing****

Personally I think that the Tissington Trail would be an excellent time trialing route - if there weren't the volume of users. I assume that this can only be done 'out of season'. The volume and differing skills of the users makes time trialing and any speed riding dangerous. The Tissington trail is for a leisurely ride only.

****Conclusion****

If you are a super keen mountain bike rider who enjoys highly technical and challenging riding then the Tissington trail is not for you. You would be better off coming to Norfolk and battling with our 'flat' landscape.

If you are a fast rider who enjoys time trialing then the Tissington Trail is not for you.

If you want something to do, or somewhere to take the children, and enjoy a nice, leisurely ride in beautiful scenery with undulating hills and stone walls and farm animals then the Tissington Trail is for you. It is highly recommended.

It is a very enjoyable ride and one that I will be doing again. However, I will wait till after the season and the crowds have gone home to really get the most out of it.

Summary: Ideal for a nice and slow ride in the countryside