We went to hire bikes on the Friday afternoon of the August Bank Holiday Weekend as the rain looked like passing over at last. That was a mistake, but hiring the bikes and trying out the new fully opened trail wasn’t. It was great fun and since the tunnels are fairly evenly spaced there was regular shelter from the rain, I mean downpours…

The staff at the Blackwell Mill Cycle Hire Centre were really patient and helpful, especially as they had to find our family 5 bikes including a bike to suit my Mum, a retirement aged lady of less than 5 feet tall, who hadn’t rode a bike for 15 years!

We cycled through all of the tunnels, turning round after Headstone. We took about 2 hours to do this return trip, but it could be done in less time by more experienced cyclists or if you don’t stop so often to admire the views and take photographs. After living in the area several years ago it was great to see the tunnels finally open, I used to walk the route of the trail regularly, taking the diversions either over the tunnels or by the river. My Mum had last journeyed through the tunnels on a steam train. The tunnels are in surprisingly good condition and if anyone is concerned about the darkness, don’t be, they are very well lit.

I hope that the route using the Monsal Trail is finally extended to link Buxton with Bakewell.

Blackwell Mill Cycle hire is well placed at the start of the Buxton end of the trail as within a few minutes of cycling you reach the first of the newly opened tunnels and then the spectacular viaducts at Millers Dale followed by the views of Litton and Cressbrook Mills and the views over the Wye Valley. It is less spectacular to be on the Monsal Head Viaduct than looking at it so I’d advise anyone who hasn’t seen this view, to leave the track for a few minutes or drive back that way to see it properly.

The snacks and drinks sold at the cycle hire were very welcome at the end of our trip as it is slightly more uphill on the return journey from Headstone!

Carole Taylor