Hope to Sheffield

I'm up in the Peak District in December and have just found out that the
train I had expected to take en route home ain't running. It looks like
I'll have to cycle from Hope to Sheffield station instead. I've just
looked at a map and it appears there's a fulking great hill in the way.
Presumably, that's what the enormous rail tunnel runs under.

Is it better than it looks or will they find my body in the Spring? Any
route suggestions?

On the +ve side, I have, for the first time ever, just bought a
discounted Virgin rail ticket. 30UKP Sheffield to Soton first class.

Not Responding wrote:
> I'm up in the Peak District in December and have just found out that the
> train I had expected to take en route home ain't running. It looks like
> I'll have to cycle from Hope to Sheffield station instead. I've just
> looked at a map and it appears there's a fulking great hill in the way.
> Presumably, that's what the enormous rail tunnel runs under.

Your looking th ewrong way. The big hill is between Hope and
Manchester..

> Is it better than it looks or will they find my body in the Spring? Any
> route suggestions?

It is better than it looks. Just leave lots of time, and drink lots on
the way. And it's only about 15 miles.

> On the +ve side, I have, for the first time ever, just bought a
> discounted Virgin rail ticket. 30UKP Sheffield to Soton first class.

...d

Not Responding wrote:
> I'm up in the Peak District in December and have just found out that the
> train I had expected to take en route home ain't running. It looks like
> I'll have to cycle from Hope to Sheffield station instead. I've just
> looked at a map and it appears there's a fulking great hill in the way.
> Presumably, that's what the enormous rail tunnel runs under.

Ah, finally a route I know about.

It's a bit of a slog but if an unfit fat guy (moi) can get up it on an
aging 10-speed, you'll do it in an trice, if not necessarily on one.
There are few steep bits. Depending when you're doing it, the main
road can get a bit trafficky but not really a problem. You can either
go Hope -> Hathersage (stop off at Little John's grave if you want,
although it's up a bloody steep hill) -> Fox House -> Dore -> Sheffield,
or alternatively as you climb out of Hathersage there's the route over
Ringinglow Moor on the left; somewhat more scenic and a 40 mph limit,
although if the weather is foul it's horribly exposed, and it's a
steeper climb on a narrower twisty road to get there. Two cattle grids
on this road, too. After you've climbed the hill either way, it's a
looooong straight downhill into Sheffield, most pleasant.

Personally if the weather's good I'd take the Ringinglow road; if not
the Fox House route is slightly more sheltered.

R.

I tend to agre the Ringinglow road is much nicer than going stright up to Fox House ( althouh you can stop off for a drink). Of course there is another way, you can get fo Hope -> Bamford -> Ladybower (Stop off at the Ladybower Inn), Rivelin Valley (cup of tea at the post office) -> Sheffield. This route may actually be the 'flattest' (there are no 'flat routes in and out of Sheffield).

Whichever route you take, they aren;t that bad, and you'll have agreat time going down hill into Sheffield.

Bryan

Going into Sheffield via Rivelin would leave the original poster less
well placed for getting catching their train, though - you enter
Sheffield via Crosspool [1], pass through the University district and
then have to cross the city centre (negotiating ring roads, tramlines,
etc.) to get to Midland station.

David Belcher

[1] Ascending from Rivelin Valley P.O. up to Crosspool (good views over
the valley to Stannington, etc, incidentally), there used to be a pub
bearing the comedy name of The John Thomas (formerly The Bell Hagg) -
don't know if it's still called that, mind.

David E. Belcher wrote:

> Sheffield via Crosspool [1], pass through the University district and
> then have to cross the city centre (negotiating ring roads, tramlines,
> etc.) to get to Midland station.

Which reminds me to mention for the OP's benefit, there's a lot of
building work around the station at the moment. Once you get within
half a mile of it, allow at least half an hour to complete the journey.

R.

Yebbut, you can go down Glossop road, lright onto Netherthorpe road, and you end up at the bottom of Ecclesall road where you'd be if you came over Ringinglow or Fox House :-)

IIRC the Bell Hagg is still the Bell Hagg

Bryan