Online touring resource site, Pannier.cc have launched the first in their "Dark Peak Weekender" event series. The event taking place across the weekend of the 22nd April in North Lees promises riding, socialising, hill climbing and camping for the travelling cyclist.
North Lees is a beautiful, quiet setting nestled in the hills of the northern "Dark Peak" area of the Peak District National Park. The National Park owned campsite makes a special basecamp location - the touring roads, high above Hathersage, are perfect for beginning the planned weekend social rides, and Cattis-side - a single-track road rising up to the iconic Stanage Edge from the campsite - is the ideal natural theatre for the first closed-road Loaded Hill Climb event on Sunday 24th April.
Loaded Hill Climb [n.]
a timed climb up a hill on a loaded touring bike. You ride your own bike, we provide a set kitlist; a standardised handicap. No need to take any of your 36 spokes out, or cut your bars down.
Pannier wants to establish a Loaded Hill Climb in the midst of Spring to signal the beginnings of the cycle-touring season. They have deliberately chosen this rural but accessible location in the stunning Peak District; a special place to spend the whole weekend, aligned to travelling by bike. In the Pannier spirit, the hill climb isn't just an event in itself; they have also forged a slow weekend of camping, socialising and riding.
In the evenings, a number of talks related to cycling, touring and the outdoors are planned. With food and drink in mind, the local Sunshine Pizza Oven parking up on the Friday evening, cycle traveller Tom Perkins (of the Nomadic Kitchen and author of Spices & Spandex – the Travel Cookbook) is already busy preparing a tasty menu for the travellers’ feast on the Saturday evening, and a local microbrewery is lined up to brew an initial batch of Pannier’s own Route Beer©.
For more information and ticket options, please visit the event website (events.pannier.cc/darkpeakweekender)