7 hours 49 minutes and 42 seconds.
Nearly nine hours shorter than its summer counterpart, the Winter Solstice in the UK doesn’t leave much time for bike riding, unless fitting a strong set of lights is your kind of thing.
That being said, there’s something quietly magical about riding at the this time of year. The days are short, but the light is low and golden, and the roads, tracks, and trails feel as though they belong to you alone.
This two-day bikepacking trip carried us from Leicester to Barnsley, threading together old railway lines, river paths, and some of the most beautiful villages in the Peak District.
A journey perfectly suited to winter riding.
Day One: Rivers, Railways, and Limestone Valleys
An early train delivered us to the concourse of Leicester Railway station, as the sky was just beginning to lighten. From there, we slipped out of the city and quickly found quieter ground, following rivers and old cycle routes that carried us west through Burton and into the stillness of the National Forest.
Image: Edward Kingston
These gentle, traffic-free corridors often laid over disused railways are ideal winter riding: steady gradients, sheltered sections (there’s nothing that beats a winter cyclist down more than a cold headwind), and a rhythm that lets you settle in and enjoy the miles - dare I say it, the perfect Slow Adventure.
Image: Edward Kingston
By afternoon, the landscape began to rise and open out as we reached the southern edge of the Peak District. The highlight of the day was the Manifold Trail, a beautifully engineered route through limestone scenery, passing beneath bare winter trees and dramatic rock faces.
As the light had faded, we rolled into the village of Hartington, all stone cottages and quiet lanes - don’t miss the cheese shop! The anticipation of warmth, food, and rest after a full winter’s day on the bike was almost too much to contain.
Day Two: The Dark Peak and the Long Way Home
Day two began with a steady climb, heading north toward the Dark Peak. The route undulated across high ground, where the views stretched wide. The air felt sharp, and mists dominated the day, the Dark Peak Trail. Descending toward Matlock, we passed the iconic John Smedley factory, another reminder of British craftsmanship rooted in place and history.
Image: Edward Kingston
Travelling back through the coal mining villages of Arkwright Town and Staverley, more old railway lines, quiet and dotted with memories of a long lost industrial infrastructure that supported the industries and towards Rotherham.
From there, it was back up onto the tops once more before dropping onto the Rother Valley Trail. The final stretch followed the wonderfully direct line of the Trans Pennine Trail, its old railway foundations guiding us steadily home toward Barnsley.
Image: Edward Kingston
Though Dr Beeching has much to answer for, his old railway lines really are a gift to winter cyclists. As darkness closed in once again, the Solstice was behind us - just a few more short rides in 2025 await.
Riding Through the Shortest Days
Winter bikepacking isn’t about speed or distance - scratch that, all bikepacking - it’s about finding beauty in quieter moments, the frozen puddles, a low sun or misty views over stone walls. And ultimately knowing that you’ve got everything you need in your saddlebag and a roaring log fire and a hearty meal awaits, if you simply keep pedalling.
From riverside paths to the trails of the High Peak, this Solstice ride was a reminder of the joys you get from riding all year round