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James Irwin

About James Irwin

https://bikegarage.co.uk

Posts by James Irwin:

Bike Garage is officially a Trash Free Trails (TFT) Community Hub!

Bike Garage is officially a Trash Free Trails (TFT) Community Hub!

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Big News: We’re Turning Our Gears for Good! 🚲♻️

We’ve always believed that the best part of riding isn’t just the bike—it’s the incredible places those two wheels take us. That’s why we are beyond stoked to announce that Bike Garage is officially a Trash Free Trails (TFT) Community Hub!

What does this mean?

We’ve joined forces with Trash Free Trails and a global network of small businesses and organisations dedicated to one simple mission: protecting our local green spaces.

As a Community Hub, we aren’t just a bike shop anymore; we’re a basecamp for environmental stewardship. We’re here to help our local riders reconnect with nature and ensure that our favourite trails stay pristine for generations of shredders to come.

What’s on the Calendar?

We aren’t just talking the talk; we’re hitting the dirt. Over the next year, Bike Garage will host four amazing trail clean-up events. But it’s not just about picking up litter. We’re also contributing to the #StateOfOurTrails Report. This is where you get to put on your “citizen scientist” hat! By tracking what we find, we provide vital data that helps TFT understand the plastic pollution crisis on our trails and advocate for real change.

How Can You Get Involved?

Whether you’re a local legend on the climbs or a casual weekend cruiser, we need your help to #LeaveAPositiveTrace.

  • Join a Clean: Keep an eye on our socials for dates. We’ll provide the vibe (and the grabbers!); you provide the hands.

  • Become a Citizen Scientist: Help us collect data during our events to contribute to the national report.

  • Stop by the Shop: Pop in anytime to chat about our upcoming projects or find out how you can reduce your impact on every ride.

Our trails give us so much. It’s time we gave something back. Follow us for updates, grab a picker, and let’s get to work!

 

Discover the Best of the Peak District: Our Hand-Picked MTB Routes!

Discover the Best of the Peak District: Our Hand-Picked MTB Routes!

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​We’ve ridden, tested, and hand-picked 11 incredible mountain bike routes, totaling over 217 miles of trails that all start and finish right at our shop door! Whether you’re a beginner looking for a scenic cruise or a seasoned rider hunting for a technical challenge, we have the perfect loop for you.

​Check out a breakdown of our Peak District routes by difficulty:

​🟢 Easy Ride

  • ​Route 6: Thornhill/Upper Derwent Valley Trail
    • ​Distance: 2-23 Miles | Elevation: 1,475ft
    • ​A versatile, traffic-free loop perfect for all abilities. Cruise along the Thornhill Trail and circle the stunning Ladybower, Derwent, and Howden Reservoirs. Adjust the distance to suit your day!

​🟡 Medium Adventures

​Our medium routes offer a great mix of terrain and challenge, perfect for a solid day in the saddle:

  • ​Route 1: Shatton Mast
    • ​Distance: 7.2 Miles | Elevation: 850ft
    • ​A short, punchy route packed with great singletrack, fast descents, and superb views—ideal for a warm-up or a quick spin.
  • ​Route 2: The Beast of Hope Cross
    • ​Distance: 11 Miles | Elevation: 1,220ft
    • ​A perfect sampler of the Peak District, featuring a variety of trails from the old Thornhill railway line to the technical, rocky descents of ‘The Beast’ itself.
  • ​Route 3: Upper Derwent Classic
    • ​Distance: 17 Miles | Elevation: 1,770ft
    • ​A classic medium-distance loop that circles Ladybower and Derwent reservoirs, offering two significant climbs and descents amidst beautiful scenery.
  • ​Route 5: Stanage and Lady Cannings Explorer
    • ​Distance: 19.5 Miles | Elevation: 2,000ft
    • ​This explorer route mixes old packhorse routes, roads, and lanes, taking you past the iconic Stanage Edge and incorporating the flow trails at Lady Cannings.
  • ​Route 11: Lords and Ladies
    • ​Distance: 21 Miles | Elevation: 2,150ft
    • ​A medium-technical loop that links lanes and bridleways along the south of the Hope Valley, climbing up to Mam Tor and Lords Seat before a thrilling drop down Chapel Gate.
  • ​Route 10: Grindleford, Eyam and Edges
    • ​Distance: 27 Miles | Elevation: 3,375ft
    • ​A longer, less technical option that links lanes and light off-road tracks into the White Peak, looping back along the scenic Curber and Froggatt Edge.

​🟠 Medium/Challenging

  • ​Route 7: Hope Valley and Hucklow
    • ​Distance: 26 Miles | Elevation: 3,400ft
    • ​A long ride featuring classic Dark Peak climbs and descents, including breathtaking views. You’ll tackle Hope Cross, descend Jaggers Clough, and climb up toward Mam Tor.

​🔴 Hard/Challenging Epics

​Ready for a real test? These demanding loops cover significant distance and elevation, featuring technical terrain:

  • ​Route 4: Shatton Ladybower Enduro
    • ​Distance: 20 Miles | Elevation: 3,000ft
    • ​A challenging ride that rewards your effort with four brilliant descents, ranging from wide grass tracks to tight, exhilarating singletrack.
  • ​Route 8: Chinley to Bamford A to B
    • ​Distance: 19 Miles | Elevation: 3,200ft
    • ​A different type of ride: take a short train journey to Chinley, then enjoy 2+ hours of riding that hits the highest point in the Peak District and follows a great section of the all-weather route.
  • ​Route 9: Caves and Castle
    • ​Distance: 24 Miles | Elevation: 4,500ft
    • ​The most demanding loop on the list, featuring six significant climbs and six rewarding descents. Expect a mix of everything, from the fast, open grass of Win Hill to the very technical boulder fields of Cavedale.

​Need a Guide? Hire one of our Wahoo GPS devices, preloaded with all these routes for seamless navigation!

​For complete guides, elevation profiles, and GPX files for all 11 routes, visit our full routes page: www.bikegarage.co.uk/routes

 

Monkeyspoon.com Back Online

Monkeyspoon.com Back Online

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Monkeyspoon started 20 years ago as a website I created to practice my web editing skills during a time before social media and Instagram. It evolved into a platform for sharing our collective passion for mountain biking in the Peak District, as well as participating in races in nearby areas and beyond.

Over the years, Jeff and I, along with many others, have contributed content to the site. Although we don’t post new material frequently anymore, we decided to refresh the website because much of the trail and route information remains relevant.

Much of my trail knowledge for the Bike Garage routes came from decades of riding in the Peak District.

We both still live locally and continue to ride, being founding members of Peak District MTB, which acts as a voice for mountain bikers in the region and helps with trail maintenance.

Top Peak District MTB Winter Routes

Top Peak District MTB Winter Routes

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Our favourite Peak District Winter Routes

Given the often rocky nature of the trails in the north of the Peak District, the rocky trails of the Dark Peak are a safe bet for winter rides.  Conversely, the White Peak in the south can be treacherous, with limestone becoming slippery in the wet and trails often turning muddy and soft. For more enjoyable winter adventure, we recommend sticking to the northern trails, where the Gritstone offers excellent traction in the wet. 

We have picked out a number of the Peak District MTB Winter Routes from our online guides. Click the link to view each guide in full, including the GPX file, Elevation profile, full written guide, and link to the Komoot guide.

Stanage and Lady Cannings Explorer – Route 5

Difficulty: Medium

Length: 19.5 miles

Elevation: 2000ft

This reliable 19.5-mile route features a climb of just over 2,000 feet, offering stunning views of Stanage Edge and the enjoyment of Lady Cannings, not to mention the opportunity to indulge in some lovely ice cream from Thorpe Farm.

This ride caters to everyone, whether you’re looking for a shorter winter option. Or take a leisurely day enjoying the various pub stops along the way. With a mix of quiet lanes and wider, less technical gravel trails plus the trails at Lady Cannings, this route offers an excellent option for any weather conditions.

Route Guide

Chinley to Bamford A to B – Route 8

Difficulty: Challenging

Length: 19 Miles (30.5km)

Elevation Gain: 3,200ft (975m)

This is a different type of ride involving a short 20 minute train journey for 2+ hours of riding, taking in the highest point in the peak district and a good portion of the peak district all weather route. With the option for two coffee stops and roughly 2,500ft of descending there is something here for everyone to enjoy!

A twist on the classic PDMTB all weather loop. Using the train to Chinley and then a ride back over doing Jacobs Ladder and the kinder loop, before climbing Jagger Clough and descending the Beast.

Route Guide

Lords and Ladies – Route 11

Difficulty: Medium

Length: 21 miles

Elevation: 2,150 ft

A middle distance, medium technical loop linking lanes, off-road tracks, & Bridleways along the south of the Hope Valley before climbing up onto Mam Tor and Lords Seat. Before dropping down Chapel Gate into the Edale Valley.
This is a great route for those looking for a varied route that covers a good variety of trails and landscapes. It is shorter than some of the other routes and less technical.

Route Guide

Grindleford, Eyam and Edges – Route 10

Difficulty: Medium

Length: 27 miles

Elevation: 3375 ft

A longer but less technical loop linking lanes and light off-road tracks into the White Peak. Before looping back around and returning along Curber and Froggatt Edge. With the mixture of road and light off-road, this would make a good option for a winter loop to get some miles in the legs.

Route Guide

If you’re looking for more inspiration, be sure to visit our routes page.

 

TripAdvisor Travellers Choice 2025

TripAdvisor Travellers Choice 2025

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Route 11 – Lords and Ladies

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Dirtlow Rake
Route 11 – Lords and Ladies
Dirtlow Rake from above
Tope of Dirtlow Rake
RX_04165-min
Climb upto Jaggers
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Route 11 – Lords and Ladies
GPX File
Route Map

Lords and Ladies

Difficulty: Medium

Length: 21 miles

Elevation: 2,150 ft
 

A middle distance, medium technical loop linking lanes, off-road tracks, & Bridleways along the south of the Hope Valley before climbing up onto Mam Tor and Lords Seat. Before dropping down Chapel Gate into the Edale Valley.

This is a great route for those looking for a varied route that covers a good variety of trails and landscapes. It is shorter than some of the other routes and less technical. There are some good options for refreshment stops and additional technical descents. The route name Lords and Ladies comes from as it passes over Lords Seat, the highest bridleway in the Peak District, and around the South side of Ladybower (Ladies)

Map and Elevation Profile
Map and Elevation Profile

The Route

Beginning at the Bike Garage, exit the site, take a right onto Hope Road, and then make the first left over the small bridge across the river into Shatton.

Follow Shatton Lane until you reach a fork. Take the right fork onto Townfield Lane, leading you through a ford. Continue along this track as it gradually climbs. After about one mile, you’ll encounter another fork; take the right-hand option through a gate onto the gravel track that runs along the edge of the field—another gate and a short descent down to Brough Lane before meeting the much wider Stretfield Road.

Dirtlow Rake with the Valley behind.
Dirtlow Rake

The route continues

Taking a right, riding along the road for just under a mile into Bradwell, the first village on the route. Taking the right, up the side of the park via Gore Lane. Look out for the bridleway on your right once you reach the top corner of the park.

This bridleway passes through the grounds of the cement work and brings you out at the bottom of Pindale, the first significant climb. Pindale is an old quarry that provides a technical yet rewarding challenge. As you come out the top of the quarry, a short tarmac section before splitting off right and climbing Dirtlow Rake, a long, relatively mellow gravel climb. With excellent views back down the valley on a good day.

The Top of Dirtlow Rake

This is the longest climb on the route; the track turns towards Mam Tor and to a tarmac surface. Before meeting the more major Sheffield Road, turn right and follow the road before passing the National Trust car park on your right. Turn to climb up the road towards Mam Tor; just before the summit, look for a bridleway on the left up onto Lord Seat; this is the highest bridleway in the Peak District and a great view from the ridge at the top.

Following the bridleway downhill, after 0.8 miles, turn right and head down Chapel Gate, which drops you downhill into the Edale valley. This is the longest descent on this route. Chapel Gate joins the Edale road and follows it down the Valley.

Time for refreshments

Edale provides a good stop-off point for refreshments at the Penny Pot Cafe or The Rambler Inn near the train station.

View of Lords Seat from Mam Tor
Climbing towards Jaggers Clough
Down through the woods

The final climb

The route continues east down the Edale Valley, passing through Nether Booth after 0.3 miles. Look out for the gate and bridleway on the left. This trail ascends towards Jagger Clough, where you’ll encounter a stream crossing followed by a steep, rocky, and technical climb up to the Hope Cross junction. Instead of descending at Hope Cross, the route takes a less technical option by dropping down into Elmin Pits.  From there, you’ll enjoy an easy-going ride around the south side of Ladybower, eventually returning down the Thornhill Trail. This provides a nice and gentle finish to the loop.

Top of Elmin Pits
Top of Elmin Pits
Trail through Elmin Pits
Trail through Elmin Pits
Woods below the farm
Woods below the farm
Ladybower Res
Ladybower Res
Want to explore this route?  Book your bikes online now!
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Scotland, Golfie Trip

Scotland, Golfie Trip

Chromag Lowdown Demo

Chromag Lowdown Demo

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Route 10 – Grindleford, Eyam and Edges

Route 10 – Grindleford, Eyam and Edges
Route 10 – Grindleford, Eyam and Edges
Route 10 – Grindleford, Eyam and Edges
Route 10 – Grindleford, Eyam and Edges
Route 10 – Grindleford, Eyam and Edges
Route 10 – Grindleford, Eyam and Edges
The beautiful tree lined road between Plough Pub and Sir William Hill
Route Map
GPX File

Grindleford, Eyam and Edges

Difficulty: Medium

Length: 27 miles

Elevation: 3375 ft

A longer but less technical loop linking lanes and light off-road tracks into the White Peak. Before looping back around and returning along Curber and Froggatt Edge.

Map
Map and Elevation Profile
Track past Offerton Hall

The Route starts from the Bike Garage. Leave the site and take a right-hand turn along Hope Road, before taking the first right over the small bridge over the river into Shatton. Take the first left turn after you climb a small hill and pass through a row of houses. The path initially has a Tarmac surface but changes to a gravel track once you go through the big gate.

The track continues climbing up and passing through Oferton Hall before returning to the tarmac and snaking around the hill to join the more significant Abney Road. At this point, you turn left and follow the Road downhill for around 1 mile.  Where the Road meets the B6001, and you have the Plough Inn Pub

Refreshment Stop

This would be an early opportunity for many to stop for refreshments or food. Turning right and climbing up before taking the first right-hand

You are turning right and climbing a steeply narrow lane into Leam, a route that offers breathtaking views of the countryside. Riding along this beautifully lined country road, you’ll join Sir William Hill, another scenic spot. At this time, you have the option of turning left and dropping down Sir William Hill into Grindleford, or you can turn right and add an extra descent via Eyam, both routes offering picturesque landscapes. 

 After dropping down into Grindleford, you will want to turn right opposite the Sir William pub before turning right again onto the main Road heading south. After a short but manageable Road climb, you’ll reach the junction of New Road and Main Road where you want to take the right-hand split onto the narrower New Road. Please note, this Road is a dead end due to a landslide, but it’s ideal for cyclists as it’s lovely and quiet, ensuring your safety and peace of mind.

The beutiful tree lined road between Plough Pub and Sir William Hill
After climbing up New Road for 0.8 of a mile you want to take the left-hand turning dropping down Jacob’s ladder into Stoney Middleton. This is a short rocky track descent that brings you down into the back of Stony via the Church.
 
At the bottom of the hill, you join the Nook Road which meets the A623. Turning left at this junction heading downhill for around half a mile before turning right immediately after the football pitch on your right-hand side.

Longest Climb

You’ve reached the bottom of Coombs Dale which is a long quarry-style rocky track climb up the bottom of Coombs Dale.  The climb is around 2 miles in length with an average gradient of five degrees. When you get to the top there is a crossroads where you want to turn left and left again. Which brings you back along the south side of the dale with views back down into the climb you’ve just made. The bridleway then joins Bramley lane which drops down to cross Hassop Road.
 
Where you want to continue straight across on Bramley lane this little lane drops you into the back of Baslow. This marks the furthest south you will be going on this route from here you begin to head north back along the edges. 
Jacobs Ladder down into Stoney Middleton
Coombs Dale
Track along the top of Coombs Dale.
After passing through Baslow over the bridge, you pass the church on your right, taking the next left onto the school lane. The next section is one of the steepest on the route. At the top of the school lane, you take the left-hand fork onto Bar Road.
 
Following the bar, Road uphill before taking the left-hand split onto the bridleway, climbing up to the back of Curber edge.

View from the top

With stunning views down onto Chatsworth and the Derwent Valley, keep heading north along the bridleway to Curber Gap. This is where the road climbs up through the edge. Pass straight across the road and up onto Froggat Edge. It’s always worth stopping once you’ve got to the top of the edge to admire the view. This is a fun section of the Bridleway. It’s a rocky path along the top of the edge that eventually drops down to join the A625.
Froggat Edge
Along Froggat Edge
After a short Road section pass the Grouse Inn. Shortly after taking a left turn onto the Longshore Estate. Passing by Longshore House where there is a cafe. Heading on straight across Grindleford Road, dropping down to take the right-hand split straight over Hathersage Road onto the Burbage Valley track. This is a long gradual incline up to Burbage Bridge. Following uphill through the car park, before taking the right-hand split onto Dale Road. Heading downhill below Stanage Edge. Before turning right onto North Lees Road. The road bears right around a small woodland you want to take the left and turn onto the Bridleway.  Which will drop you down onto Birley Lane. Follow Birley Lane and at the junction with Coggers Lane. Where you want to take a left followed by a right down to the Hope Valley Ice Cream.
Almost at the end of the ride so a good place for a relaxing stop.
 
Following the farm track down to the main valley road. Turning right and using the cycleway on the pavement bring you back. Turning right when you get to the petrol station following the road uphill turning left at Mytham bridge, across the footbridge and back onto the Garden Centre. 
Want to explore this route?  Book your bikes online now!
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Ex-Rental Hardtails for sale

Ex-Rental Hardtails for sale

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