Not done much round Ashover. At this time of year I'd it all the other way round and take the road and miss out the golf course section south of point6 in the route description. You could also miss out point5 to Carlton house by sticking on the road to the Chatsworth car park at Carlton Lees and coming up the bridleway from the E to Carlton house. Bit of a field plod to the wood and muddy through the first bit of it but the descent is better this way.
Cheedale circuit - the Monsal trail is now open so you can by-pass the road section via Litton Mill. The climb from the Monsal Trail to Brushfield is limestone rubble. I think its better as a descent but it'll be intrestingly slippy with the recent rain. Nothing major going round to Blackwell, steep drop in and climb out of Wyedale. Can be muddy E and W of Wormhill. I usually do most of this the other way round with some convoluted doubling back to do E of Wormhill in the direction shown. Prob wouldnt ride this at the moment, just because of the slippy slimestone. But if you did it - I'd suggest from start go Millersdale to Wormhill and then W. Reverse the whole route to point2 on the description. From there go to Tideswell and onto point7 then follow route back to start. There are a few, non-technical lanes NW of tideswell you can insert between there and point7 but you're not missing much if you dont.
A shorten / modified version of the 5 Dales Circuit could be another alternative in winter. From the start - go anti clockwise but at Two Dales dont follow the route onto the first section of off road. Keep on the B5057 for about another 900m and then take a left. This rejoins the route but cuts out a boulderly push up a sunken lane. At point2 in the guide go straight over onto an lane - with big puddles - end of that turn left and head W to rejoin the route about a km after point3. This cuts out bits nice trails in the dry but ones that are a bit of a slog in wet winter conditions. Now follow guide book route W down descent to Carlton Lees through up and over the woods to the back of Haddon Hall. If its been dry / frosty the week before then keep on the guidebook route. If its been wet take the right fork and head down to join the A6 west of Haddon Hall. Follow this W for about 800m and pick up a bridleway heading SW. Its the section between points4 and 5 in the Rowsley circuit in the guide. Again if its been really wet give the second off road section with the black graded descent a miss and replace with road. Its a wet field slog. Its then the 5 Dales / Rowsley circuit route through to the end of the ride. The field before point5 on the 5 dales route description is a bit of a mud fest as well in winter but its close to the end. Final descent is intresting in the wet.
Dark Peak area rides in the guide are better bet for Winter or Macc Forest one - just dont do this one if there's been a big freeze.