129th Easter Meet, Derbyshire Dales – Middleton Top, Nr Matlock

Event details

NATIONAL CLARION CYCLING CLUB
129th EASTER MEET
DERBYSHIRE DALES – MIDDLETON TOP, Nr MATLOCK
4 – 5 APRIL 2026

 

 

Last date for booking is Sunday 8^th March 2026. If you want to stay Friday and/or Sunday night please advise (book) by Friday 20^th February. Please refer to the Bookings section at the bottom of this page for further details.

Location & Main Venue
Mount Cook Adventure Centre, Porter Lane, Middleton by Wirksworth, Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 4LS
Venue website: www.mountcook.uk

What3Words Locations
Car Park: cobbles.redeemed.wired
Main Entrance: bedroom.venue.coconuts

About the venue and location
A modern, well decorated facility with on-site quality en-suite Dorm Rooms available for up to 4 people for £102 (for all 4). There are also some 5 and 6 person and accessible rooms at the same price of £102.

Breakfasts and Packed Lunches are an extra £10 each per person. Evening meal is £21 per person.
There is an on-site bar with local beers

People don’t have to stay at the Main Venue, but it is convenient and highly affordable and we would prefer it if you stay at the venue.

In addition to the organised rides, there are various non-cycling activities available and these can be booked separately. These include: Via Ferrata, Zip Line, Abseiling, High Ropes and Indoor Climbing.

Various local sites to visit include Matlock Bath, the Heights of Abraham and Crich Tramway Museum.

Early arrivals (Friday) and late departures (Monday) are available at an extra cost. Please indicate on the Booking Form if you are interested.
If you wish to stay at Mount Cook on Good Friday night and/or Easter Sunday Night, please advise (book) by Friday 20th February.

General Meet Information
Sections and members can arrive by car, train or bike but remember that sections are encouraged to compete for the BWSA Mileage Trophy (greatest total mileage from the section to the venue: no. of riders x distance).
There is a train station less than 2 miles away.
On-site car parking is available.
A bike storeroom has been booked for those staying overnight.

PROGRAMME
Saturday 4th April
10:30 – Group rides of various distances.
Routes still to be planned but gravel routes will take in the (on the doorstep) High Peak Trail, Monsal Trail and Tissington Trail. Road rides can be arranged if members prefer.

Provisional Ride Details:
Club Ride High Peak/Tissington Trails – c. 40-50 miles, mostly on hard-packed gravel & mostly flat
Club Road Ride – c. 50-60 miles, all roads, quite hilly
Short Social Ride – c. 25-30 miles, mostly hard-packed gravel, mostly flat, easy pace
Family Gravel Ride – c. 10 miles

11:00 – Leisurely group walk in the surrounding countryside or Matlock Bath and Heights of Abraham

16:00 – 17:30 – Film Matinee. A cycling related classic/short film (Free)
18:00 – Relax with friends before dinner
19:00 – Annual Prize Presentation and pie and veg dinner

Sunday 5th April
09:30 – Gravel & Road rides to Isaac Walton Hotel, Dovedale (where the Clarion held its first Annual Meet in 1895)

13:00 (3hrs 15 min) – Subject to numbers, possible group booking of outdoor activities: Via Ferrata, Zip Wire & High Ropes.

14:00 – Option to watch the Tour of Flanders on the big screen at the venue as a group social activity. Including fun, cycling-related quiz during the early stages of the race coverage (quiz to end before the climax of the race).

Arrival and Departure
For those who want to both ride to/from the venue and take part in the organised rides, they can book extra nights accommodation for Friday 3rd and Sunday 5th at the same rates. Please indicate on the booking form if interested.

BOOKINGS
To make a booking for the 2026 Easter Meet:
– Complete the booking form which can be downloaded here.
– Email the completed booking form to racing@clarioncc.org
– Make a bank transfer payment for the total amount (use your surname + Easter as the payment reference)
Bank Account Name: National Clarion Cycling Club
Sort Code: 20-63-28
Account No: 73308650
Note: Bookings must be made via the Club rather than direct with the venue.
Last date for booking is Sunday 8^th March 2026. If you want to stay Friday and/or Sunday night please advise (book) by Friday 20^th February.

Queries / Questions
Email racing@clarioncc.org or call Steve Clarke on 07951 666331 or Ian Clarke on 07775 846603.