I've just found a new road that I've never been on, fast sweeping left right left right. Very grippy and well surfaced. Get to matlock bath, keep on the A6 toward derby. At the first set of lights after matlock turn right, then first right again. Biking nirvana.

It's called the Via Gellia. Links the Derbyshire villages of Cromford and Newhaven at either end.

If you come through Bakewell onto the A6, turn right after Haddon Hall, then first left, this road eventually brings you out on the Via Gellia. I agree it is a great road, (reminds me of Glen Helen on the Isle of Man, might be the smell of Wild Garlic), but the police are aware of this and consequently have a speed camera on there nearly every other Sunday, be careful...

Originally posted by SHarper
If you come through Bakewell onto the A6, turn right after Haddon Hall, then first left, this road eventually brings you out on the Via Gellia. I agree it is a great road, (reminds me of Glen Helen on the Isle of Man, might be the smell of Wild Garlic), but the police are aware of this and consequently have a speed camera on there nearly every other Sunday, be careful...

Hmm, I think this forum needs a thread on good biking roads. I just did a quick search and found nothing.

One of my favourite stretches of road (though a bit short and sweet) is the B6054 from near Fox House through to near Calver. It can be a bit slippy underneath the trees but I do like the fact you go past The Chequers pub so, if you really strain your imagination, you can pretend you're just cruising across the line to pip Schwantz (or Rossi, these days) to the title...

Any more suggestions?

The Derby Royal Infirmary & Chesterfield Royal Hospital Paramedics know that stretch of road quite well. ;)

Originally posted by owdlad
The Derby Royal Infirmary & Chesterfield Royal Hospital Paramedics know that stretch of road quite well. ;)

Yeah, I bet they do. Sad fact that with bikers comes accidents. And it's usually the few that spoil it for the many.

Why pretend you are racing? DO IT !!!!! Contact Darley Moor Racing Club and they will show you the rest. The Matlock posers think they can ride fast, putting all and sundry in danger while they act out their fantasys. Go and try racing for real, it will be an education for you. Real racers ARE FAST.

Originally posted by Nimrod
Why pretend you are racing? DO IT !!!!! Contact Darley Moor Racing Club and they will show you the rest. The Matlock posers think they can ride fast, putting all and sundry in danger while they act out their fantasys. Go and try racing for real, it will be an education for you. Real racers ARE FAST.

I raced for nearly 8 years. Got to be too expensive and I decided to do other things.

Still do the occasional trackday, though.

even better road, first right when you get into hope, the road that leads to the start of the pennine way. its great even on my 30mph scooter. it can actually fly though.

Nice one ADC 28, you know what I am talking about. The track is the place to ride fast, not the narrow lanes found in Derbyshire. My lad found racing expensive but still does the odd track day- finds it gets it out of his system.

Here is a BBC News article (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/derbyshire/4096539.stm). There are a few more on that stretch of road. It is pretty infamous. I think they've slowed the bottom end near Cromford, now, but most of it is still national.

Personally I'd hate to ride that road on a bike, as a lot of lorries come down there faster than most bikers would dare, and I know who'd win that argument! Really enjoyable early in a morning though when there aren't as many about.

So are we going to organise a sheffield forum trackday? I fancy donnington, been to watch racing there but never been round it.

Originally posted by fredsredhat
So are we going to organise a sheffield forum trackday? I fancy donnington, been to watch racing there but never been round it.

Donington's a bit scary for your first track day. Craner curves flat out...

Perhaps try one at Anglesey? Bit further to go but less daunting. Also, smaller capacity bikes tend to go faster, there. Great if you've got a 400....

Myself and a few others are going to the Nurburgring again this year, in the first week of September.

We are going to Assen (in Holland) for the World Superbike meet first, then down into Germany, meeting some more bikes, then going down through Austria. If anyone wants to come I will quite happily let them know what ferries to catch, route to take, cost and so on.

I would be up for a track day, how about Cadwell now they've changed it?

Originally posted by ADC_28
Donington's a bit scary for your first track day. Craner curves flat out...

Perhaps try one at Anglesey? Bit further to go but less daunting. Also, smaller capacity bikes tend to go faster, there. Great if you've got a 400....

What if you've got a 125?? :shakes:

I could be the pace-bike :lol:

Originally posted by ADC_28
Donington's a bit scary for your first track day. Craner curves flat out...

Sorry mate we've got our wires crossed. I've done quite a few track days, cadwell twice, oulton park and mallory. I've just never done Donnington. (off topic but it really ****** that R1 rider off to see a big old GSXF 750 come under him at charlies at Cadwell ha ha ha )

Originally posted by SHarper
If you come through Bakewell onto the A6, turn right after Haddon Hall, then first left, this road eventually brings you out on the Via Gellia. I agree it is a great road, (reminds me of Glen Helen on the Isle of Man, might be the smell of Wild Garlic), but the police are aware of this and consequently have a speed camera on there nearly every other Sunday, be careful...

But this route brings you to the hamlet of Grangemill - approx half way along the Via Gellia. You would then have to turn left or right, and only get to enjoy half the road. Far better to start at one end and enjoy the whole road. (I would suggest Cromford to Newhaven - but watch the approach to Pikehall village, there is a surprise bend in the road).

The Via Gellia, whilst sounding Roman, is probably named after John Gell, of nearby Hopton, who first drove a road through the valley. There is an interesting Derbyshire curiosity along this road - a cottage made from tufa stone.