Yesterday I set off early on a cross country route to the Peak District. Arriving at Ashbourne after 90 minutes, I stopped at the Mappleton Lane car park to avail myself of the facilities, these include a food kiosk which amongst other things sells small tubs of ice-cream 
The next leg of the route was to get further north in the Peaks so after a spell of the A515 I headed through Monyash and out the other side onto quieter roads.
After going up Millers Dale I headed off the main roads again to go through the quiet valley containing the hamlet of Abny. This involved zig-zaging up the side of a hill which gave a great view across the flatter lands to the south,
Then down into the ‘hidden’ valley beyond.
Passing through Hathersage, I stopped for fuel at Bamford before heading onwards and northward past Ladybower reservoir to get onto Mortimer Road (AKA the Strines road) and the hills and reservoirs around Bradfield.
By now it was around lunch time and the temperature was definitely warming up, so I began looking for a shady spot to eat the pasty I’d brought with me. I did try stopping at the side of Mortimer Road where it goes though some forests, but there was too much traffic, all those bloody motorcycles riding past every 30 seconds! 
In search of a peaceful half hour for a relaxing lunch I continued on my planned route back south to the hills north of Hathersage which was an area I hadn’t ridden before. Ahh, that’s better, no shade but a great view up at Stanage Edge and peace and quiet… Until a tractor came by trimming the overgrown verge. Oh well.
After a good rest I headed on up the hills which offered a fantastic view across to the Hope valley.
After Hathersage my route took in some quiet narrow roads over hills and past farms and fields.
Arriving at the Old Smithy in Monyash for a tea-time stop, which due to the weather consisted of a cold can of pop and the day’s 2nd ice-cream
There was a good selection of bikes old and new. The quick snap I took as I was leaving, which is framed badly, includes a BSA, AJS and Vincent.
The quiet-road cross country route home took another 2 hours so all told I was out 9 hours and did 190 miles. Satnav said I was actually riding for 6½ hours which surprisingly didn’t completely knacker my body, probably due to the precautionary alternating of ibuprofen and paracetamol every 2 hours
