Ashby Winter Descending May 2026

At 7:00 AM, with temperatures usually around -3°C, they roll out toward the dramatic drop of .

In the Ashby area, the surrounding hills create "shaded corridors"—roads that never see direct sunlight in the winter months (such as the lane through Gelsmoor or the descent into Staunton Harold). While the main road is dry, these shaded corners remain at -2°C. You will feel optimistic, you will accelerate, and then you will hit the "shadow ice." Always assume the shady corner is frozen until you roll through it and feel the traction. Every year on the Saturday closest to the Winter Solstice, a loose group of 20 to 30 riders gathers at the Bath Yard in Ashby. They call themselves the "The Descender's Guild." There are no jerseys, no sponsorship, just a shared understanding.

Watching a skilled rider perform an Ashby Winter Descent is like watching a calligrapher work. There is no wasted movement. They dart between the gravel patches. They flow around the camber. At the bottom, they pull over, unzip their gilets, and laugh. The steam rises off their bodies like dragons breathing. They have beaten the winter again. Why do we do it? Why descend in the freezing cold when the turbo trainer is warm and the sofa is comfortable?

So next time the forecast says "wintry showers" and the wind blows from the north, do not hang up the bike. Zip up, light your lights, and head for the high ground. The descent is waiting.