Peak District - Cycling Journey

'The circuit of all three reservoirs, Ladybower, Derwent and Howden is a very good ride, in magnificent scenery. A lot of the route is on rough tracks so a mountain bike is advisable, but this is a fairly flat route as mountain bike routes go, with relatively little rough ground.' We choose Upper Derwent Valley Reservoirs Circuits as our cycling journey. 

We're not fully equipped, but we're ready!

Let's begin our cycling journey!

'Start from the car park and information centre at Fairholmes. From there, follow the tarmac road up the valley, past Derwent Dam, alongside Derwent Reservoir, to reach Howden Dam and Reservoir.' Probably is because we didn't cycle for a long period and it's our first time after reaching UK (valid excuse? :P), so we've to take a short break when reach Howden Dam.

Wonder what's the function of these pillars

We enjoyed our cycling journey very much!

'Continue alongside Howden Reservoir to King's Tree, where the road ends. Go through the gate and continue along the rough track towards Slippery Stones and the packhorse bridge, which once stood at Derwent village.'

It's my bike, 369

Enjoying our lunch and the natural environment~ 

'Cross the packhorse bridge to the other side of the River Derwent - here no more than a stream. Continue leftwards for a short distance to reach a track which comes across at a higher level, then turn back right to follow this track back along the eastern side of the reservoirs. This track is fairly rough for most of the length of Howden Reservoir, but improves when you reach Derwent Reservoir.'

'On reaching Derwent Dam it is possible to cut the ride short by taking a right turn and returning to Fairholmes.' Due to lack of time (we only hire the bikes for 4 hours), we choose to shorten our journey and have to rush back to the bike hire centre. At last, we've made it! we're able to return the bikes on time :)

After returning the bikes, we go to a lakeside to take a break. The meadow is too comfortable for us to lay on, the weather is too lovely, and the air is so fresh, which make most of us accidentally fall asleep at here~ 

Howden Dam

It's a joyful cycling journey! The lovely scenes, cycling experience, and valuable memories are the best rewards for us :) The circuit which completed by us is about 17km, well done us! We're tired in an enjoyable way :D

*The sentences in Italic are sourced from <http://www.peakdistrictinformation.com/outdoors/cycle0.php>.

Peak District - Adventure in Ladybower & Derwent Edge

在几天内，路线规划好了，功课做足了，

Peak District - Ladybower & Derwent Edge 之旅可以成行了。

清晨7时许，一行14人搭巴士照原定计划出发。

我们先到 Ladybower Reservoir 观看其中一个景点。

看似平平无奇的的放水孔，在湖水高涨时，它的作用就体现了。 

但当日水位偏低，无缘看到湖水流入放水孔时的景象。

 这一刻，蔚为奇观。
<http://i1.trekearth.com/photos/151614/ladybower_reservoir_800.jpg>

过后，我们到路过的 Yorkshire Bridge Inn 喝早茶。
整间客店的装潢和设计都以浓厚的英式风格为主，
还获得了不少奖项。
点了杯热巧克力，很浓、好味道。

当日早上和中午的天气都是阴天，气温约10°C

享用完早茶后，我们继续我们的主要旅程。

起点是 Ladybower Inn ，我们就沿着路线行走。

在途中遇到了岔路，我们选择到非计划中的路线探索查看。

结果... 遇见了一地的紫色植物！犹如薰衣草田园。

紫色田园里的五朵花

天，如所料般下起了雨，寒风刺骨，天气很寒冷。

我们都没有被打到，继续往前进探索。

终于... 令人惊叹的美景呈现在眼前！

雨中朦胧的景色，丝毫不逊色！

雨后的景色，是如此的让人陶醉、让人惊叹不已！

Millstone Grit

来到了类似奇石阵的景点，很壮观！

亲眼看到景观绝对是更壮丽，让人赞叹不已！

整趟旅程，费时约5小时，可这一切都是值得的。

我们彻底地被这里的景色所征服了~

每一趟旅程、探险最吸引人的就是未知的景色、惊喜。

它们让我逐渐地为自然景点的探险着迷！