Planning a visit next Thursday and could do with some advice on where best to ride, and also if anyone knows any good B&Bs in the Dark Peak with bike storage?

Only previous visit was about a decade ago, when we did a great but challenging route round Hope, Edale, Castleton sort of area – possibly starting from Ladybower (unless that was a separate semi-forgotten ride).

Will probably buy the VG graphics Dark Peak book, so anything in there that's particularly good? Seen some great pics of rocky trails here and in the mags.

Unless anybody is free and fancies showing a visitor round?

We stayed last year in a pub in Hayfield, decent B&B and secure bike storage.

http://www.peakdistrictonline.co.uk/accommodation/bed_and_breakfast/peak-district-bed-breakfast-the-sportsman-hotel-hayfield-high-peak/l344.html

Route – Hayfield to Rushup via the Pennine Brideway then onto Hope (cafe and 18 bikes) via the 'lanes' south of Mam Tor. Onto the Roman Road and around into Edale. Then Jacobs Ladder and Kinder resouvoir and either drop into Hayfield, or Little Hayfield and then come into the West of Hayfield onto the old railway line.

Looks good, thanks mate.

If you get the VG book then a good one is the Kinder Circuit ride. Only 22km but plenty to keep you occupied with. There's loads of options to do extra bits around the Hope/Castleton/ Edale area which you can cobble together from the book. B+b wise I'm not sure. I only live about 20 or 30 miles further North so either just ride down from home or stay at either Castleton or Edale Youth hostels (both have bike storage). The latter also has a hose pipe for bike washing.

I can recommend lilybankfarmcottage, over the hill from Hope but there is plenty of good riding nearby, or you can do a longer ride and do jacobs->edale->hope etc. They can sort you out with route suggestions.

Seconded pypdjl's recommendation, although the Sportsman in Hayfield has Wainwright Ale on tap which is a mighty strong plus point…