Dean Sas

My favourite local ride is short but varied. It begins in urban Chesterfield before quickly reaching quiet countryside on the edge of the Peak District National Park. Along the way there are steep climbs and fast descents, cycle paths and busy roads, and even a serene stretch along the canal towpath.

Starting at the railway station, I head around the town centre via the station link path. It’s flat and segregated – a perfect warm-up – as it joins the path winding west through Queen’s Park and past Walton Dam.

After joining the Chatsworth Road cycle path, it’s easy to pick up some speed, a welcome run-up before the first climb of the ride heading towards Holymoorside. It’s a convenient escape from the bustle of town as you get yourself into gear.

After crossing the road, it’s a fast and fun descent into the centre of Holymoorside. It’s needed for what’s coming soon. There’s a stretch of steeper hill going up New Road to get me ready, followed by a breather on the brief flat section. Once around the corner I’ve left Holymoorside behind and truly feel like I’m out in the countryside. It’s a narrow, infrequently used road, lined with drystone walls, cool shady trees and lush vegetation. I’m feeling it for quite a while as Harewood road is five kilometres of constant uphill as it rises through the Hipper valley.

The first section twists and turns, hiding the hill ahead of you behind its trees and corners. I keep riding at the same pace, keep enjoying the quiet and the calm. Then I see the road rear-up ahead of me. I take a drink as I approach, and then it’s up-and-out-of-the-saddle as I can’t resist an all-out effort to conquer the hill and round the corner.

Once around the corner – hot and panting – the ride shifted again – from sheltered valley lane to open, exposed hillside. The road has straightened and removes any illusion of relief. This is the grind, steady cadence – glancing up and wondering if the horizon has got any closer. I keep my legs spinning but my eyes moving too, taking in the scenery around me.

After a while I reach another wooded section. My hands down onto the drop bars, my fingers cover the brakes as I smile in anticipation of the upcoming roller-coaster. It’s a real welcome after so much toil. Around one corner, down some more, building some speed, then it’s immediately up, recapturing the metres that were lost so quickly. Somewhere along here – almost unnoticed – the road crosses into the Peak District National Park.

Eventually the gradient softens, still climbing but gentler now. My legs disagree. Moorland is directly either side now. Suddenly it’s the final straight, and I summon my reserves for one last blast to the end of the road.

I always stop here to catch my breath and look around. When the heather blooms the moors are alive with a gorgeous purple. In the distance, the hills of the Derwent Valley stretch across the horizon. I’m not at the summit but it feels like standing on top of the world. I’ve built up all this stored gravity, and I can feel it – urging to be spent. It’s not time yet though.

Breath caught, views drank, it’s back on the bike and further uphill though, almost doubling back as the high point of the Hipper Valley is reached by Harland Edge. Once it is, there’s no time to look at the views as the road heads downhill. The road dog legs at the bottom as it crosses the Hipper so I’m braking as I get to it, with one eye up the road scanning for traffic.

Leaving the Hipper behind at the turn into Syda Lane, there’s a section of fast and fun undulating hills that really put a smile on my face as I swoop up and down. Eventually the rhythm breaks at the tricky crossing of the A619 as cars hurtle between Chesterfield and Baslow

Once safely crossed, there’s a little bit more undulation with wide open views to the north and then it’s time to turn right and head east for the last proper hill of the day. A short and sharp effort to crest Puddingpie Hill.

From here it’s a long and fast descent into Ashgate. I have to keep my wits about me and my eyes peeled for potholes. I’m grinning all of the way down, the headwind cooling me down is my reward for my earlier efforts.

Energised by the descent, it’s back into the traffic in Chesterfield as I head along the Loundsley Green Rd. Waiting at the Old House traffic lights, I challenge myself to see how fast I can accelerate away. It’s soon time for that one last little down hill as I drop past the Co-op and down Littlemoor and Stand Road.

Briefly onto the busy Sheffield Road, I turn off nearly immediately down Pottery Lane to pick up the A61 bike path, under the road bridge and onto the canal towpath. Time to slow it down now, watch for wildlife, and let the ride gently wind down along the canal. After all the climbing and speed, the canal towpath feels like a different ride entirely — slow, quiet, reflective. To finish it’s up to Brimington Road and back to the beginning – legs tired, head clear, face smiling.