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This Perm can be ridden with the
 e_Brevet app
. A ride both over and under the limestone area of the Peak District, an area of great beauty, provided you pick a nice day (but it's a Perm, why would pick a bad day?).
There are some challenging cow-themed climbs, including Cowlow near Chapel-en-le-Frith, the rarely visited Cowdale, and Cowlishaw Brow, as used by the 2019 Tour of Britain.
The journey out goes through Millbrook and Stalybridge then climbs over to Mottram and Broadbottom. After riding over Ludworth Moor, you descend to Birch Vale and Hayfield before another climb and descent to Chapel-en-le-Frith.
Cycle over the Monsall Viaduct
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Dove Holes and Peak Dale are next on the itinerary as you enter true limestone scenery to reach 'Tidza', famous for its well-dressing and a large parish church known as 'The Cathedral in the Peak'.
The next leg uses the Monsall Trail. Formerly the Midland Railway's line between Manchester Central and St Pancras, the trail is now an excellent cycle path. It is tarmac through the well-lit tunnels, while the open-air surfaces are hard-packed and quite suitable for even the skinniest of tyres. Just watch for inexperienced cyclists and stray pedestrians at the end of dog retractor leads.
After passing through Buxton via Cowdale, you go through the Goyt Valley and climb The Street, then past Jenkins Chapel the easy way (it's a challenging climb the other way on the
Goyt Peak 100
). There is another great descent into Bollington.
This Perm could reasonably be ridden in either direction, but the bridle path through Lyme Park works better as a climb than a descent, so clockwise as per the GPX file and the route sheet might seem preferable. There is a useful cafe near the car park in Lyme Park. Lyme Hall was used as Pemberley for a TV version of Pride & Prejudice, but please, no swimming in the lake, as you don't want the ladies swooning over your Darcy-like wet cycling jersey.
A word of warning though; the gates at Lyme Park are currently closed at 16:30 as part of the Corona Virus strategy, so chose your start time accordingly.
Nearing the finish, you tackle the climb out of Compstall and up Cowlishaw Brow up Werneth, which the Tour of Britain cyclists made look oh so easy back in 2019.
The start is in Uppermill, Saddleworth. If you drive here, it's handy for M62 junction 22 and there is free all-day parking at the car park by the leisure centre. If arriving by train, Greenfield Station has connections to Manchester and Leeds. TransPennine Trains allow a limited number of bikes on trains which they insist must be pre-booked, a policy strictly observed.
If you like this ride, you may wish to try another of these Perms from Uppermill. They include some Perms from Nephi Alti *.
Perms are also available with starts from
Dean Row
,
Poynton
and
Stalybridge
.
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