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A father has shared photographs of his six-year-old daughter and himself perched high up the A57 Snake Pass.
The happy snap was taken on when several other cyclists defied Derbyshire Council’s decision to block the road to cyclists and walkers.
Sam Easterby-Smith, whose Twitter bio says he is from Withington, Manchester, had an experience of a lifetime with his daughter, who loves cycling too.
Read more: Live coverage as cyclists and walkers defy Derbyshire council’s A57 Snake Pass ban
Sam told Yorkshire Live his daughter Aline loves riding her bike every day, be it on her way to school, to the park or going out for adventures.
And on Saturday, March 12, Sam and Aline got an opportunity they had never dreamed of.
Sam said: “Going up the Snake was something we would NEVER have attempted in traffic, it would simply have been too dangerous.”
The A57 Snake Pass links Sheffield and Glossop and is a key route between Manchester and Yorkshire.
It is well known and popular with motorists and cyclists for its stunning views.
(Image: Sam Easterby-Smith)
The road has been closed to all traffic – including cyclists – following a landslip caused by torrential rain as Storm Eunice and then Storm Franklin battered the UK.
Closing the road for cars created a unique opportunity for cyclists and walkers to enjoy the scenic views safely.
On normal days, cycling on that specific stretch of road can be deadly because of drivers who drive dangerously.
The way the road is weaved gives a Formula One race-track feel, and with very little cameras in sight, and despite it being illegal to race on public roads in the UK, many drivers still fly past, making it impossible to safely cycle.
One cyclist, who joined the A57 trespass told Yorkshire he found it odd that road had been closed to cyclists for their safety, when technically this was the safest time for cyclists to use the road.
(Image: Sam Easterby-Smith)
Dan, who goes by @thirskazoid on Twitter, said: “When the A57 is open, we all know how dangerous it is due to minority of motorists who treat it like a race track. Yet, the main reason @Derbyshirecc gave for closing to cyclists was ‘safety’.”
Sam and his daughter took the trip from Glossop to the summit, but did not go anywhere close to the small section of the road which collapsed.
Sam says it was challenging but he enjoyed it: “Today we went from Glossop up to the summit and back, nowhere near the collapsed section on the far side, and it was hard work but fantastic.”
Sam and Aline’s journey was as safe as a journey can be, and Sam believes it may be time to discuss closing the A57 to motorists entirely.
(Image: Sam Easterby-Smith)
Sam said: “I seriously think that closing the route to through traffic on a permanent basis should be considered – it’s just so dangerous for motorists and the traffic blights towns like Glossop.
“Today gave us a vision of how it could be.”
And Aline who shared this moment with her Dad was equally impressed with the ride.
Aline said: “It felt great, the best bit was coming down. I loved being with all the other (evil) cyclists and chatting with them.
“When we went to the cafe afterwards we had cake and hot chocolate, we do that all the time but it was particularly good!”
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