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I seem to remember reading over the last couple of years that the legends at PDMTB, Ride Sheffield etc have done some amazing work making Cut Gate a bit more all weather. But the only info I can find is from early last year when work was being started.
Has it been completed? Is Cut Gate good for a winter plod now? Obviously we don't mind some mud, but equally don't want to be trashing trails unduly.
I've not been up that way for ages, due to a heady combination of living in Hull, Covid being a thing and having a toddler...
We were up there last week. Cutgate was running good all the way. A little bit wet but nothing unusual. The repairs to the bog on the top are holding up well.
However they have now finished resurfacing North America from the green turn off sign to the big gate at the bottom. I don't think its been done as good as the rest and it was a mud fest, so much so that we saw riders and walkers using the peat/heather at either side which probably defeats any repairs
Brilliant, thanks Tracey. Might be worth avoiding North America and going round then but otherwise sounds great.
Happy to be put right by someone who knows better, but my view is that a big chunk of the ride was affected by rain/ mud and the bog of doom was really awful in mud.
They have fixed the bog of doom, but the ride as a whole is still best enjoyed after a bit of a dry spell...
Ie, they've fixed the worst bit, but expect loads of grassy/ boggy sections regardless if it's rained recently.
I would say now that they have fixed the big of doom, it's now pretty weather proof. Yes, you are effectively riding on a stream bed which can be wet, but areas of mud are limited.
As said above we rode it last week, including North America and it was far better than expected. Its local to us and have ridden it in all conditions.
The picture below was taken at the end of the last bit on the way back to Langsett. Didn't need to get changed for the drive home.
It was Abigales first big ride out since breaking her leg
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That pic just sums up Cut Gate for me, it’s an absolutely belting ride. Not been up there (or anywhere) for ages, but that’s my Saturday morning sorted 😀
Its been dry and frosty all week local.
After more than 30 years riding it its still one of my all time favourites
A grin like that at the end of a ride says it all.
This is the repair at the bog on the top
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http://peakdistrictmtb.org/cut-gate-work-underway-and-looking-promising/
I thought we'd done another update after this one but I can't find it!
Anyway, as everyone else says; yes it's done. There's still some muddy patchy bits but in the main it's ok all the way.
We're going to be doing a bit more with the National Trust down the line but enjoy. It's ace.
And thanks for the kind words, it means a lot to hear from riders how well it's been received
Credit where credit is due. There has been a vast amount of effort put in by everyone concerned with very little recognition 👏 👍
One of my favourite routes, and being able to ride it guilt free during the slop months is grand, so another "Cheers trail fairies" from me.
@Pook we rode it last spring and summer and it was fantastic. Well done and thanks to the trail builders for the work.
Interesting... One of my favourite rides anywhere but I'm still stuck mentally in cut gate being a no-no at this time of year.
I'm now wondering whether heading up there is a goer for this weekend.
How does the descent down to slippery stones hold up? (grassy bit after the flags but before Bull Clough)
Rode it in June/July evening at peak dry, Cut Gate itself has had a fantastic job done on it, still holding its overall character but with the bogs replaced by much needed heavy stonework pictured above.
North America I'm afraid I'll never descend again though, gone is the springy corker of joy in the dry for wide and straight broken by water-bars snatching at your wrists
Well its still sunny and dry local so I wouldn't have any qualms in riding it. Saying that I do ride it all year round in all conditions
Around this time last year
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Can confirm that Cut Gate was riding about as well as could reasonably be expected in January.
The repairs on the bogs are terrific - massive thanks to @Pook et al for all the hard work. North America not so great - I'd avoid at the moment. It was ok as we went up as a lot was frozen, but where it had thawed was a horrid sticky mess. Probably best left till summer. Easy enough to avoid though.
Plenty of mud and puddles on the top to the cairn, as you'd expect - but all rideable. In theory.
Down to the flags was riding really well, then from the flags to where it gets rocky was sketchy mud and definitely wider than last time I was up a year or so ago. All the rest down to Slippery Stones riding really well, the repairs from the stream crossing to the wooden bridge are fantastic.
We then added on an extra Fairholmes / Hagg Side carpark climb / Lockerbrook loop because we're masochists. Hagg Side was riding really well - only excuse for not cleaning it was my feeble legs. Lockerbrook is crazy fast at the moment, riding really well too.
Then back over Cut Gate, avoiding North America this time. Once it starts to tilt down it's riding absolutely brilliant - pretty wet and muddy towards the end (definitely needed to change before getting in the van) but fun to ride.
A lot was frozen solid, especially on the outward leg which I think went in our favour - won't be so good when it thaws, but I reckon it'll still be rideable in the main.
Top work and thanks to everyone involved in the repairs.
Glad you had a good time. 😀