quote='Richard'Not Responding said: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.[/QUOTE]
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