The Peaks

Centrally-ish located the Peak District, like all UK national parks, is a motorcycling marvel. Free entertainment for all…

The Peak District is one of the UK’S most popular National Parks, and it’s the oldest, officially designated in 1951. Located centrally between Leeds, Sheffield, Derby, Nottingham and Birmingham, it’s conveniently positioned which is good, but also means it’s busy. Particularly in the school holidays, and summer months.

But there are quieter times – spring and autumn are the best or a late summer evening blast, and this is when the Peak District should be high on every rider’s hit list.

The Peaks are criss-crossed by fantastic roads. Some of their names will be familiar to many, whether you have ventured in their direction or not: the A537 (or Cat and Fiddle, as it’s better known) is a legendary strip of tarmac rising up and over a line of hills between Macclesfield and Buxton. However, things ain’t what they used to be as these days average speed cameras stand watch over giddy enthusiasm, and the pub’s closed – it was always a welcome sight on a bracing day.

The second favourite road in the Peaks is the A57, better known as Snake Pass. It’s actually called Snake Road, but although the name suits the slithering, winding tarmac, it derives from a pub on the road called the Snake Inn (which is just B&B accommodation nowadays). In turn the pub took its name from the family coat of arms of the Cavendish family (owners of, among others, Chatsworth House just down the road). The A57 opened in 1821 and was once the main trunk road from Sheffield to Manchester, but the Snake part of it starts at the foot of Ladybower reservoir. For a few miles it runs through woodland and conifers, the trees often casting long shadows across the road and adding moisture to the heady mix. This combination also adversely affects the surface so ride with care.

Further along the A57 suddenly rises, leaving the trees behind and slithering uphill in a series of stone-walled left/right combinations. It’s not a wide road, and the wind often whips down off the hills with enough strength to push a Honda Gold Wing around.

As the road crests the summit, at 1600 feet, and starts a long roll down towards Glossop, with big views out across moorland towards the town, it reveals a landscape that is similar to that of the Isle of Man. So it’s worth parking up for a look on a clear day. Or you could always turn round and have another go; Snake Pass is but 13 miles from one end to the other. Essential motorcycling.

Press repeat…

‘Snake Pass is but 13 miles from one end to the other. Essential motorcycling. Press repeat…’