Day One: From Bamford to Howden Reservoir
Our adventure began with a train journey to Bamford. The journey to Bamford was punctuated by the mild panic when the rail replacement buses were announced although luckily it was only some of the trains and after a short delay we were on our way.
Our first day of riding started with a pedal past Ladybower, with the promise of jacket potatoes at the Fairholmes Café acting as a goal. This quaint cafe which is just a hole in the wall with outdoor seating, staying open surprisingly late, is a great place to fuel up in the before heading further into the Upper Derwent Valley.
The side of the reservoir buzzed with hikers, cyclists, and an unexpected amount of cars ignoring the ‘road closed’ signs. Our goal was to reach a little valley up from the end of the round reservoir cycle route. Despite being a remote setting, we found signs of fellow wild campers seeking the same solitude we were.
Our first chosen camping spot turned out to be an ants’ nest. A quick relocation, some warming rice noodles and miso soup, and we were settled for the night.
Day Two: Ladybower Reservoir via Longshaw Estate to the Eastern Moors
The morning gifted us with a bright sky and a strong breeze—perfect for packing up without condensation or midges. However, we had the company of a million millipedes that seemed to have magically appeared overnight. As we breakfasted on yogurt and cereal, we watched the early cyclists the hill on the nearby bridleway.
We descended towards Fairholmes; the trail was beautiful, and we managed to keep pace with a group of lads enjoying a brisk run. As the trails grew busier, we felt grateful for our early start and soon arrived at Fairholmes to have a sandwich, break and refill our waterbottles at the tap there.
Continuing our journey, we soaked up the breathtaking views along the side of Ladybower Reservoir before veering back towards Snake Pass Road. A brief stop at the Yorkshire Bridge Hotel, where we treated ourselves to roadside ice creams before tackling the steady climb up ‘New Road’ towards Bamford Edge.
Our determination and perseverance paid off as we reached Stanage Edge Plantation Car Park without a break. My daughter’s pride was palpable, and I assured her that if she could tackle this climb, any hill in the future would be a walkover.
Our hunger pushed us on towards the Longshaw Cafe, where the goal was to arrive before lunch service ended. This day was a tour of some of my favourite parts of the Peak District with just another hour of riding left for the day we spent a long, relaxed break at the Longshaw cafe; before heading on to reach our final wild camp.
Day Three: Longshaw Estate to Linacre Reservoir
Our third day began with bird songs and sunlight filtering through the trees. After the previous long day, we enjoyed a lie-in before savouring a breakfast of porridge and hot chocolate. Our final day was a shorter ride, leading us through enchanting woods around Linacre Reservoir, past the striking Angel of the Midlands, and towards the end of our unforgettable adventure.
The shared memories and the beauty of the Peak District were the undeniable highlights of this journey. Bikepacking with my daughter was more than an adventure; it was an incredible way to appreciate nature. As we concluded our trip, we were left with memories etched in our hearts and the promise of more bikepacking adventures in the future.
