James Irwin

About James Irwin

https://bikegarage.co.uk

Posts by James Irwin:

February 10 2020

Trail Preview | The Beast – Hope Cross

The Beast is a cornerstone of many classic Dark Peak routes. A rocky riverbed that provides a fun challenge no matter your level of experience. Joining us on this one is Billy from Cafe Adventure in Hope. He can often be found heading up the Roman Road after a long day in the kitchen. Keeping riders and walkers fueled up. This video and those to come will be focusing on trails within the local riding scene. Expect a variety of locations and guest riders. Hopefully helping to expand your knowledge and showcasing some of the best of the local Peak District and Sheffield riding scene.

Trail Preview | The Beast - Hope Cross

November 7 2019

Route 8 – Chinley to Bamford A to B

James Irwin Routes

GPX File

Komoot Route

Chinley to Bamford A to B

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!

This ride suits itself to those wishing to hire a bike from the Bike Garage for a proper day in the peaks. Starting at the Bike Garage a short trip to the Bamford train station is the first step, make sure you go to the Manchester side of the tracks as you don’t want to set off towards Sheffield! Get on one of the frequent trains through to Chinley, this is only a 20-minute ride so be sure not to miss your stop.

Route Profile

Once in Chinley leave the station via the footbridge onto station road, from here follow the road left to Green lane then left again onto Stubbins lane. Now it is time for the first climb of the day, follow Stubbins lane for roughly a mile before turning right onto the bridleway just after the paved driveway, this is the start of the offroad section. This stretch of the bridleway is followed for another mile before reaching a wooden gate, pass through this gate and follow the bridleway for the first descent down to Chapel road. This is a nice little descent with amazing views of the Peak District and the route to come.

View towards Kinder

After joining onto Chapel road turn left and then right at the building, this is only a short road section but is quite a fast road so be careful for traffic. From Chapel road, it is a short half a mile climb up to a very nice descent that drops you down to Coldwell Clough and the foot of the climb up towards Kinder Scout. This descent is a fast-flowing wide grass descent that drops into a more rugged bridleway before joining the small lane, as you get to the end of the descent keep right so you don’t miss the road.

Now it is time for the climb up to the top of Jacobs Ladder, this is a long climb that brings you up just over 900ft over the space of 1.5 miles. It is peppered in loose boulders so can be quite a challenge but the views from the top and the upcoming Jacobs Ladder descent make it well worth it. It’s worth noting this bridleway can be very popular, especially during the weekends in summer so respect other trail users moving in either direction. By the time you have reached the top of the climb at Edale Cross you will be on for roughly 6 miles, the next 3.6 miles are all downhill and come nicely to Edale where you can stop for food and drink. But before coffee and cake it is time for the Jacobs Ladder descent, this is a rugged steep descent that drops you almost 600ft in just less than a mile!

Keep an eye out for other trail users coming up in the opposite direction and make sure you spot your line as there are some little drops that can catch up on you quickly if you are not careful! After this descent follow the bridleway for roughly 2.5 miles taking you through Upper Booth, joining the road into Barber Booth then turning left on the Edale road and following it into Edale.

Jacobs Ladder MTB Classic

When you arrive in Edale you have two options, you can push on with the route climbing up to Hollins Cross or take half an hour to get some food and drink from the Penny Pot Cafe.If this takes your fancy ride into Edale turning left at the junction with the red phone box opposite it, just up here you will see the signs for Edale train station and just before the station is the Penny Pot Cafe, they have outdoor seating around the back and it’s a very worthwhile stop to refuel before the next half of this ride.

And just before the station is the Penny Pot Café. Under new enthusiastic ownership since March 2019 you can be sure of a warm welcome. Open all year round you can treat yourself to some simple home cooked food, a piece of cake or if you just need a water bottle refill they are more than happy to oblige. If it’s a cold day you can relax by the log burner and on the warmer days take a break on the terrace before you set off fully recharged for the next half of this ride.

: Penny Pot Cafe Edale

After following the bridleway for almost a mile you will get to a gate, the route goes through this gate and turns right through another gate, the bridleway continues through the field along the stone wall be careful not to follow the footpath that runs parallel with the wire fence. After following through the field for a short while you get to a gate, go through this and continue along the wall to a second gate, the trail gets narrower as it runs along the bottom of a hill before becoming a fun singletrack descent down to a property. Join the road and follow it to a second property and look out for the limestone way sign near the rusted gate, this is again a grassy trail that you follow to the A623 where you take a left following it to a back road just after the first property you come to.

Hollins Cross before the drop-down to Back Tor

Once you have got into Edale or finished at the cafe it is time to climb up to Hollins Cross, the next significant climb on this route. The lane taken to the bridleway is on the right as you come into Edale, it is just before the red phone box you use to find the cafe. You follow this lane for just half a mile before taking the bridleway on the left and climbing up to Hollins Cross. This is another good climb over half a mile climbing almost 300ft, it offers some amazing views over the valley and really pays off during the summer months. After the final kick up to Hollins Cross the route takes the descent to the left down to back tor farm, this is a fast flowing descent that drops into some deep skinny sections, it’s not one that is covered too often due to its location on the hill but works perfectly for this route. After dropping down here you join back onto the Edale road where you turn right, under the bridge and follow for just shy of one mile before joining the bridleway that passes round the back of Clough farm.

This bridleway is followed for 1.5 miles up to Hope Cross, on this section you drop down and climb back up Jaggers Clough, this is a steep climb that is popular in both directions so keep an eye out for other users in each direction. After the final climb up to Hope Cross you get the option to descend down The Beast, turn left to go down to Spud Alley or follow to the right to drop down towards the Roman Road. This route follows down to the Roman road and follows it for half a mile before turning left after the gate climbing up towards Hope Brink and on towards Win Hill. At this point you can follow the Roman Road down into Hope if you want to have a second cafe stop at Cafe Adventure. If you don’t fancy a cafe stop take the left up towards Win Hill. After climbing up here you will see the sign for the bridleway pointing to the right, drop down here for the final major descent of this route, this drops you down to Aston on the Aston Bridleway, this is a 400ft descent that is just over one mile long before joining the road again. At the road take a left and follow it through to Thornhill for just over one mile then take a right at the red phone box before dropping down the road then turning left onto Water Lane. Follow water lane for 0.7 of a mile then turn right into the recreational grounds then through to the garden center under the train bridge back to the Bike Garage.

View from Hope Brinks, final long descent back down to the shop.

This route comes in for 19 miles climbing roughly 3,200ft taking in some significant climbs and descents with a couple of cafe stops on the way. It is perfect if you are wanting to hire a bike from the shop, check the website for availability.

You can download the GPX of the route by following this link.

Want to explore this route? Book your bikes online now!

Book Now

November 5 2019

Keeper of the Peak Podcast

James Irwin Workshop

We were invited by Keeper of the Peak to take part in his Podcast an informal interview discussing how we started the shop, local riding and our involvement in local MTB Advocacy.

I talk to James Irwin from the Bike Garage about cheeky building, advocacy and my poor bike maintenance regime

Keeper of the Peak (@kofthep) is a twitter feed for riders in the Peak District. After a ride, riders send in details of where they’ve been and what kind of condition the path was in, then we share it with everyone else.

October 24 2019

New custom Stem Caps

James Irwin Product News 0

Thanks to the excellent HKT Products Ltd we now have these lovely stems caps for sale. £5 each its is fair to say we are pleased as punch with how they have turned out.

Available in 5 colours to match your bike, get in contact if you want one

Custom Bike Garage stem caps

April 28 2019

The Bike Garage – your gateway to exploring the wonders of the scenic Peak District and beyond

James Irwin Guest Posts, Trail news 0

We recently collaborated with myhotelbreak.com to give their guests their take on the Bike Garage. Find out what they discovered in this guest blog edition.

It’s important having fun and interesting things to do when on a hotel break. For guests looking for hotels in the Peak District, enjoying a day out exploring the National Park isn’t complete without the help of the Bike Garage.

Let’s find out more…

Looking to explore the wonders of the Peak District? One of the best ways to see this magical area in all its glory is by exploring by bike. We highly recommend a visit to the Bike Garage that’s situated in the Hope Valley Garden Centre in Bamford.

The team at The Bike Garage are passionate about what they do and that’s making sure their customers have the best possible experience when visiting this beautiful part of the country. The family-run business started back in 2010 and it has gone from strength to strength in enhancing visitors experience in the Peak District.

James, the owner of the Bike Garage has given visitors the knowledge and expertise they need through his 20 years’ experience riding the trails and hills of the Peak District.

The Great Ridge, Mam Tor

Cycle Hire at its best

The Bike Garage offers a wide variety of bikes which are suited to different types of experiences.

The Hardtail Mountain Bike

Priced at £25 for a half day
1-2days £30 per day
3 days are priced at £27 per day

This is one of the most popular bikes and is ideal for exploring the trails.

Full Suspension Mountain Bike

Half day is £35
1-2 days hire is £50 per day
3 days hire is £45 per day

This is one of the teams favourites and is perfect for those trails that are a little more technical.

Electric Full Suspension Mountain Bike

1-2 days £50 per day
3 days is £45 per day

See more the area with the electric bike which has an off-road range of between 30 and 80 miles.

To find out more the reviews of the Bike Garage, bikes offered and routes to explore click here.

The Valley of Edale, from Mam Tor.

The Bike Garage Shop

Whether you’re looking to hire or buy, the Bike garage gives its customers piece of mind as being the experts in their field. No matter the type of bike you’re looking for, James an the team are on hand to ask any questions before you purchase.

Some of the best bikes on offer at the Electric Mountain Bikes, a fantastic investment.

Another great service at the Bike Garage is the Workshop where you can get a comprehensive bike service and repair options too. Click here to find out more.

The Bike Garage should be part of your arsenal on your next trip to the Peak District. Explore and experience like never before with a helpful hand from the Bike Garage.

March 3 2019

What is the C.A.B.G Collective?

James Irwin Trail news 0

C.A.B.G Standing for Cafe Adventure Bike Garage collective. Started back in 2015 by Billy from Cafe Adventure in hope and ourselves. Meeting on a Wednesday evening at either the Cafe in Hope or the Bike Garage for roughly a 2-3 hour ride.

Initially set up as a way to help with winter riding motivation. It being easier to ride with others in the winter at night than on your own. The rides have grown from humble numbers. Into regularly group sizes of 35+.

Group on Hope Brinks

Top of Whinstone Lee Tor

The pace of the ride is set by the slowest rider and route is discussed by the group on the night depending on conditions and what people want to ride. No one is left behind, we all help each other out should anyone have a mechanical but you should aim to carry everything you would normally.

Hollins Cross- Mam Tor

The rides are open to all to attend and dates/venues are published on the C.A.B.G facebook page or by following the group on Instagram. Whilst the riders normally start in the hope valley we have expanded to include other areas of interest. There is often a group out on the weekend too. Feel free to post your riding plans online as people often use it a way to meet up. The rides are a great environment to share local route ideas, talk about places to ride locally or further afield.

Look forward to seeing you on a ride soon.

The group climbing the Roman Road.

Billy Clegg

James Irwin

Lovely light on a evening ride.

: Riding Wharncliffe Woods

: It isn't a race.

: Regular Jamie

: We ride all year round

: Stream Crossing

February 3 2019

2018 PDMTB Trail Maintenance

James Irwin Trail news

We are an active member of Peak District MTB and do our bit to help organise and lead local trail maintenance dig days. This is something we feel is hugely important. Giving back to the local riding scene and helps to improve the trails for all.

The video shows volunteers working on various bridleways across the Hope Valley and Roaches.

If you want to get involved or find out more information check the website link above. Or send me an email to James@peakdistrictmtb.org and I will add you to the diggers mailing list.

PDMTB

January 30 2019

Bike Garage – Gateway To Your Adventure – Mountain Biking Peak District

James Irwin Trail news Derwent Edge, Hope Cross, Lady Cannings, Mam Tor, The Beast, Whinstone Lee Tor

The Bike Garage is an independent family-owned bike shop which set out in 2010 with one mission: Help people get out on bikes more and experience our amazing local countryside. Every year, our cycle hire helps people from all over the world of any skill level experience an unforgettable adventure riding in the Peak District.

Jump on a train in Sheffield station. Or arrive via car and begin your adventure. With tailored route information and trails for all levels. We offer a range of high-quality Trek bikes, in a range of frame sizes. The bikes are intended for off-road use on the bridleways, singletrack and trails in the Peak District. Offering Hardtail, Full suspension and Electric mountain bikes.

The video feature some of our favourite local trail including Mam Tor, Lady Cannings Blue Steel flow trail, Hope Cross aka The Beast and Whinstone lee tor as well as others.

We were extremely proud to have been voted best cycle hire in the Peak District By Tripadvisor travel blog in 2018. Feel free to browse our site to see more about what I do or book your cycle hire. If you can’t find what you need, feel free to get in touch!

Hope to see you in the shop soon! – James, Owner

Book Now

Hollins Cross on Mam Tor. Run by a local mountain biker with over 20 years experience.

View of Mam Tor of the Edale Valley and Kinder in the background.

The Peak District has a huge variety of trails from technical to flow.

January 26 2019

Route 7 – Hope Valley and Hucklow

James Irwin Routes

GPX File

Route Map

Hope Valley and Hucklow

Difficulty: Medium/Challenging

Length: 26 Miles (42km)

Elevation Gain: 3,400ft (1,036m)

A longer ride taking in some classic dark peak climbs and descents with breathtaking views throughout. Starting and finishing at the Bike Garage this ride starts off heading north up the Thornhill trail to the Ladybower Reservoir before climbing up towards Hope Cross and descending down Jaggers Clough.

A quick road section to Edale leads you up to Mam Tor then south towards the Peak Forest and on for some gravel road action along the dark/white peak boundary into Abney and on for a final descent from Shatton Moor down to the Bike Garage. This ride makes for a perfect loop for those wanting a longer ride covering a satisfying span of the Peak District.

Route Profile

The bridleway up to Wooler Knoll

This ride leaves the back of the Bike Garage towards the Thornhill Trail. The trail is followed for 1.5 miles, it is a perfect warm up to get the legs going before turning left for the climb up to Wooler Knoll, be sure not to fly past the turn off, it is seen just by the bench on the left of the trail. Drop it into a low gear and spin away up this climb until you leave the wooded area and see a large gate on the left, this climb is just over a mile climbing 260ft. Once at the gate head through it for the final climb out of the woods up to Hope Brink giving way to incredible views of Lose Hill and the valley leading to Edale.

Link through to the ridge

After taking in the views the route follows the ridgeline to the right through to Hope Cross, this is a tough little climb with a number of step ledges in it. Once at the top turn left to follow the rocky descent down to Jaggers Clough, before the river crossing get into a low gear for the climb up the other side. The climb out of Jaggers Clough is loose and again has a few steps making it a little technical towards the top. Once at the top the trail meanders along to Clough Farm before dropping down to Edale Road via a narrow singletrack descent through the trees. From, here the route heads towards Edale for 1.7 miles before turning left and heading up towards Hollins Cross.

The short climb to Hope Cross junction.

The climb to Hollins Cross is a 0.65 mile section climbing 250ft, it is possible to ride up it without stopping thanks to the recent maintenance carried out by Peak District MTB. At Hollins Cross the route turns right following the stone slab trail towards Mam Tor, this is a perfect location for a few photos and a good halfway point for some lunch with a view. When you get to the second gate keep to the right as this is the bridleway that runs along the north side of Mam Tor unlike the footpath that goes straight to the peak. Follow this bridleway down to the road then it’s time for another road section. Follow the road to the left through the middle of the hillside then down the south side to the junction with Sheffield Road, turn left and follow down the hill and around the sharp right hand corner for 0.7 miles. On your left shortly after the turn off for Winnats Pass you will see a sign for Rowter Farm, go through this gate and follow the part paved part gravel track for just short of a mile.

Past Rowter farm

Leaving the wider track and heading over the field.

This back road is followed for 1.5 miles then you turn right onto a gravel track as the road turns sharply left, follow this track to the end where it joins onto Forest lane, follow this road for a quick mile into Little Hucklow. Once in Little Hucklow turn right and then a very sharp steep left through the village to the junction with the B6049, straight ahead is a second gravel track that climbs a little bit and has a significant gulley in it making for a fairly technical section that is followed for almost a mile into Great Hucklow. Ride through Great Hucklow keeping an eye out for the side road opposite the phone box, this climbs up to the school, follow this road behind the school as it becomes an off road trail climbing up through Great Hucklow woods to another back road. At this back road turn left and follow it for 1.7 miles enjoying the incredible scenery before getting to Abney.

Straight over the road and up to Great Hucklow.

Keep an eye out for a red phone box in Abney, opposite it is Duper Lane, the trail that climbs up to Shatton Moor. This is the final notable climb of the ride and once at the top the bridleway is followed to the right towards the mast. After the mast the trail descends quickly for oly 0.4 of a mile before going into the fields through a wooden gate. This section of trail is then followed for 0.8 miles descending into Offerton. Take a left once you get to the road and ride through the small collection of houses and take a left onto another offroad trail that is followed through a few more fields before coming out onto Shatton Lane after one mile. From here turn right and follow to the junction with the A6187 and it’s back to the Bike Garage!

The view from above Shatton, leaving the road and turning onto the Bridleway.

This is a good ride for those wanting to go a little further than they might usually but take in some incredible views throughout. I would recommend hiring an e-bike for this one so you can enjoy it a little more. A full suspension bike would also be fine however due to the mainly gravel trails with only a few steep/technical sections you would be fine on a hardtail bike as well.

You can download the GPX of the route by following this link.

Want to explore this route? Book your bikes online now!

Book Now

January 26 2019

Route 6 – Thornhill/Upper Derwent Valley Trail

James Irwin Routes

Route Map

GPX File

Thornhill/Upper Derwent Valley Trail

Difficulty: Easy/Medium

Length: 2-26 Miles

Elevation: 1475ft

Traffic free loop ranging from only a couple of miles up to a longer ride your choice. Starting on the Thornhill trail, heading up to and round Ladybower/Derwent and Howden Reservoir. With miles of smooth traffic free explore at your own pace.

The Thornhill trail once carried materials to construct the Derwent and Howden. It is now a traffic-free trail and the perfect way to get from our shop up to the Ladybower Reservoir. It is a wide smooth trail and means you can enjoy the view and chat as you head out.

Once you get to the Ladybower you pass the dam wall and continue to head north towards Fairholmes visitor centre and the Upper Derwent Valley. The route has no significant climbs but undulates around the edge of the water.

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A post shared by James Irwin (@bike_garage)

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