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At the bottom a wooden bridge crosses to a slippery climb that brings you on to the road. Left on here for a half mile or so then right up a farm road, through the farmyard and a switchback road climb to a bridle crossroads at the top of the switchbacks. You'll score these later so go straight on and up through the wooden gate for now then 400 yards to a smaller gate at the top of the Screaming Mile.

This starts with a steep drop down towards a right hand bend with a rocky prelude. Round the bend the trail is swoopy fast with muddy banks and a small drop off on the right sends you rattling towards a gate at the halfway point. Cursing the gate for forcing a stop and letting the others catch you up it's on to the second half of this screaming mile.

Treacherous when wet I gave Tom a head start of about 50 yards one day then piled on the gas to catch him, as I drew near I saw him attempt a dangerous lane change from right to left. The slimy centre hump caused Tom's front wheel to slide and the next thing he was down then over and over, bike, limbs everywhere. Curse him for being tall there was no way by as I braked as much as I dared and still came at him like a steam train. At the last split second a gap opened up on the bank to his right and I shot by stopping some fifty yards beyond with major releif at not joining in the fun.

Turned out Lenseman had been using his face as a brake (useful technique that....kidding). Fortunately his MX goggles and helmet had saved his eyes and even some of his nose, the rest, well this is a family show so i'll spare you the description. After this things get worse, a lot steeper with a double bend  more rocks and deep ruts, I usually hit this way too fast and then regret it. Remember to brake for the wooden gate at the end then left turn along the lake-side road for a stop off at the tea kiosk if required. Carry on along the road for a mile or so then turn left up the difficult climb known as snake road.

Up here and over the top bags you a short and ultra-rocky descent before you go straight on at the crossing of the bridle roads and down the switchbacks. Wait for your compadre's then race down the burmed corners to the gate. Through the gate then down to the drop off corner, hit the left hand line and beware walkers as you ride the solid rock then bank round on to the cobbles. A final steep tarmac section goes straight on to the road so brake well in advance. Straight over the road and see how far you can ride up the beast. The second corner on the climb is attainable, much higher than this and you deserve a medal (we're not giving any out to you XC whippets though). 

A hard slog to the top then left turn back down the boulder climbs, and on to the last section known as the Hope drop in. Again watch out for walkers on this busy section. The berms are fun and rain bars make good long jump practice but the deceptive bends mean you won't see someone coming the other way till the last minute. Drop in again at the Woodbine to stock up on food for the frankly monster climb back to the top quarry.

 Retracing your descent means a hard push unless your name is Tim Gould. Back over the grass then down the fast first climb and under the trees in the descent known as the tunnel. On Autumn evenings the overhanging trees make the rocks and holes invisible on here and we seem to go faster than ever avoiding only the boulders and grave sized pot holes in a final Star Wars inspired leap of faith to be the first to the bottom of the final blast on the Peak to Peak.

Route Guide
Map here now!
Where is Peak Forest?

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