Sett Valley gravel

60Km permanent cycling event starting from Portland Basin Museum.
An off road ride to Lyme Park and the Sett Valley Cafe. The route starts outside the Portland Basin Museum but if you are cycling to the start on the canal there is no need to leave the canal to go to the museum as the e-brevet will work from the canal side in view of the museum. There is a car park and may be charges on some days, there is a cafe in the museum which is open most days. The route uses the High Peak canal to get to Marple where you leave the canal via the park after which there is a short stretch on the road to get onto the Middlewood Way. You come off the Middlewood Way after around 5k onto Shrigley road in order to get to the entrance to Lyme Park. The gravel track up into Lyme park is rough in places and whilst it isn’t steep it does climb up for a while. There is a cafe and toilets in Lyme Park. There is another climb out of Lyme Park which has a great view at the top, the descent following is steep and rough in places, caution is advised. There is another short stretch of road in Disley to get you back on to the High Peak canal, then the Sett Valley trail takes you to the Sett Valley cafe which is a real gem but closes early some days so check opening times ahead of choosing your start time. After the cafe stop you retrace your steps back to the High Peak canal which you stay on until getting back to Portland Basin.
To access the canal from the car park you will have to carry your bike down some steps. There is a short steep cobbled descent to the Marple aqueduct (just after 10k) which you will need to dismount for. There are cobbled locks and bridges on the High Peak canal which can be slippery in wet weather.
The route is best suited for riding on a gravel bike or MTB. It is not suitable for bikes with skinny tyres.
Controls at
Portland Basin Museum
Lyme Park
Sett Valley Cafe
Portland Basin Museum
You must use electronic proof of passage (GPS or E-Brevet) for this event