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After hearing so many great things about Peak District riding I decided to take the train up to Sheffield and check it out. For context I'm mostly an xc rider based in the south-east who loves long scenic rides with a few flowy trails thrown in
I had a fantastic ride, maybe my favourite ever. I started on porter brook trail, a few laps of lady canning's plantation, houndkirk road, longmore estate, froggat edge. Gritstone is a very nice surface to ride on, and what a view!
Shortly after I messed up a bunny hop, landed on a rock so hard with my rear tire that I tore the bead. I was able to repair with a plug but wasn't too confident it would hold, so used the excuse to head down into bakewell where the lovely staff at peakland cycles sorted me out, while I tried out a proper bakewell pudding, yum.
Down towards Alport some schoolgirls doing D of E were scared to enter a field with a herd of cows at the gate. I felt like a hero parting the cows like moses and the red sea but almost fell over while mounting my bike. Up a testing climb to lees moor, chatsworth estate, then another very nice climb out from baslow.
Blacka moor was another highlight of the ride that I couldn't believe is so close to sheffield. The final test was devil's elbow, I've read a bit about this trail and it is definitely beyond my ability at this time. Dabbed my way down it and I would like to come back with better skills and probably body armour.
Good route back through Dore, Ecclesall woods whose stream was an alarming orange colour, and some back roads to Abbeydale brewery which poured out delicious IPAs.
I'm aware this might just be a regular Saturday ride for some of you but for me it was pretty special. It seems I barely scratched the surface, I can't wait to come back and check out the dark peak!
It's great isn't it? I live within an hour and so look on it as home having been walking and riding here all my life. Yesterday I did the Win Hill classic with a few tasty variations and spent most of the day marvelling at how lucky I am to have this place (and a brilliant bike). Living in the moment at it's best, it's about having the experience (NOT making memories)
Central southerner here who thinks the Watford gap is actually the Woking gap and I have similar sentiments about the Peak District. I suspect in part because my first real experience of rocks was a guided MTB weekend out of Edale YHA back in the early 90s on a bike with a Girvin flexstem and DX thumbies.
I have a truckload of holiday to use this year and I'm thinking a week's riding up there later this year or a mix of Peak District/South Lakes must be the plan.
Sounds like a great day out. It's ace when you ride somewhere new and it's brilliant.
I have had some proper amazing days in the peaks.
I really need to make more use of it. Unfortunately we keep having children so I'm currently on lockdown.
Sounds like you had a great time. Good excuse to come back for more 👍
Sounds like a pretty big and great route covering trails of my youth. I live close to Tweed Valley now but do miss the PD.
Ecclesall woods whose stream was an alarming orange colour,
It's been that way since I was a kid (50 years ago) and way before that. Scientific answers aside, it's completely natural - iron or something
Ecclesall woods whose stream was an alarming orange colour,
It's been that way since I was a kid (50 years ago) and way before that. Scientific answers aside, it's completely natural - iron or something
Ecclesall woods whose stream was an alarming orange colour,
It's been that way since I was a kid (50 years ago) and way before that. Scientific answers aside, it's completely natural - iron or something
Sounds like you did a banging route. I moved up here from the SE 20+ years ago and love the riding.
Good range of xc type stuff, I regularly do parts of your route, but if you fancy it some more gnarr stuff and spots like Wharncliffe or Grenno.
If you're up for another day I'd recommend cut-gate. Not massively technical but brilliant views and a feeling of being miles from everyone, even though you're not.
Edit: I do miss the Chilterns in the.summer though. Not much woodland riding around these parts.
Just spent 4 days struggling round the same area.
I used to be ok with hills , that is not the case anymore.
Day 1 Bakewell loop Linton tunnel
Day 2 cut gate and a ww2 bomber crash site
Day 3 Hebden and Todmordon
Day 4 Mam Tor road climb hurty hurty ouch
Day 5 Mary Townley loop sort of big bail out
My bike ate it's shock so had to run around and buy a 2nd hand Whyte130c
The Mary Townly loop we attempted was in 30mph cross winds at rain. Hideous type 3 fun .
Nice views when the sun came out
It's great to see you had such a good ride. I often think those of us who live here take it for granted. I mostly gravel and road ride these days, but keep promising myself to get out to Edale or the edges on the MTB.
Cannings/Houndkirk/Blacka and variations is my doorstep mtb or gravel loop.
There’s most definitely worse places to live.
It’s a different kind of riding compared to, say, Surrey Hills - but it does get under your skin (quite literally when you crash on gritstone!).
I still haven't got round to doing a proper peak district ride! I've been up to Wharncliffe a few times but that looks quite different from the typical rocky peak trails I've seen. As an east midlander it's nice to go up north to ride some proper hills and descents, but it reveals how bad my fitness and climbing ability is!
Any interest in a STW meetup weekend in the peak?
I could organise it if there was...
Any interest in a STW meetup weekend in the peak?
I could organise it if there was...
I'd be up for that.
Camping at Edale or some such?
As someone who lives on the edge of the Highlands, I don't half miss the Peak.
TAFKASTR!
I was going to message you and ask. Gotta get back out and ride more!
Early September?
TAFKASTR!
I was going to message you and ask. Gotta get back out and ride more!
Early September?
Sounds good to me 👍
Plenty of Peak, Derbyshire Dales, Sheffield folk on here, let's get a big ride going
Southerners are more than welcome 😉, nay encouraged to make the journey
If it lines up with a free weekend and you don't mind a slow climbing non-eeber joining, I'd be up for it!
@hyper_real - taken a couple of sundays ago from a similar area, this is White Edge above Curbar/Froggat Edge
I remember a comment on here (can't remember who) that the riding round Sheffield is nowt special. Not sure what meds they were taking at the time
If it lines up with a free weekend and you don't mind a slow climbing non-eeber joining, I'd be up for it!
Hell will freeze over and the apocalypse would happen before thegeneralist buys an ebike so you're good there!
Another show of interest here.
Been wanting to go back after an excellent holiday near Castleton a few years ago, with Cutgate being a highlight (I assume it's always dry and dusty there 😄)
Righto
I remember a comment on here (can't remember who) that the riding round Sheffield is nowt special. Not sure what meds they were taking at the time
Yeah I was already having a good time before I'd even left Sheffield as the Porter brook trail route out was so nice, and it just got better and better from there.
While researching the route I saw some odd criticisms of Lady Cannings Plantation, I found them to be very well-designed trails for what they are, and the fire road climb up felt easier than it had any right to be. Not sure what people expect.
As it's been so dry recently I'm tempted to come back up on a weekend soon to try cut gate.
Depending on timing, would be fun to join in on an STW meetup.
I remember a comment on here (can't remember who) that the riding round Sheffield is nowt special. Not sure what meds they were taking at the time
Yeah I was already having a good time before I'd even left Sheffield as the Porter brook trail route out was so nice, and it just got better and better from there.
While researching the route I saw some odd criticisms of Lady Cannings Plantation, I found them to be very well-designed trails for what they are, and the fire road climb up felt easier than it had any right to be. Not sure what people expect.
As it's been so dry recently I'm tempted to come back up on a weekend soon to try cut gate.
Depending on timing, would be fun to join in on an STW meetup.
Guilty as charged, whilst loving everything else in the area, I'm not overly enamoured with LC tbh, but I do ride it occasionally so have to appreciate the work that has been put in
Plenty of Peak, Derbyshire Dales, Sheffield folk on here, let's get a big ride going
I'd be game for that 🙂
I remember a comment on here (can't remember who) that the riding round Sheffield is nowt special. Not sure what meds they were taking at the time
More likely they weren't taking them. There's quite a few on here who get hysterical when they don't take their SSRIs.
Im in the peaks this weekend for a memorial ride for our mate Owen on Saturday, then the awesome singletrack on win hill sunday 💥
@jedi how was it?
After hearing Cutgate mentioned a lot, and that it was best experienced in a dry spell, I made the last minute decision to get out there. What an amazing route, even if I walked a lot of it. Out and back was surprisingly fun as I knew what awaited me, and was able to tackle stuff that I wasn't sure I'd be capable of on the way up. Had a blast on the descent down to Langsett and enjoyed the polka dot cafe there!
On the way back to Sheffield, I had a bizarre series of experiences on New Road off Yorkshire bridge. First I got close passed by a group of motorbikers. Then a guy barreled round the corner on a huge ATV. Shortly after a carful of lads drove past, made a silly sound at me and laughed. Then I came across a man relieving himself in plain sight. All within the space of 3 minutes. Is this spot known for idiotic behaviour or was I just unlucky? What a contrast to the peace and grandeur of Stanage Edge shortly after.
OP how much climbing was in that first ride? It sounds great.
Cutgate from Sheffield is a big ride. I have done it. But we went out on roads to the far side and back.
Was just going to comment on the length of the OP's rides. Impressive stuff
About 1400 metres for the first ride. Yeah Cutgate was a big one, I rode out to Ladybower reservoir the evening before to make it more manageable. Great ale on tap at the Yorkshire bridge inn.
Glad the OP had a good ride. I have a day off work so was planning on riding cutgate today whilst it's a bit cooler.
But no, for some reason my body hates me and I've been on the big white telephone talking to god 🤢🤮
I think I'll do it Wed or Thu after work instead.
Can't complain too much as I had a lovely spin out yesterday.
Glad you had a good time OP, the views are bloody lovely up there.
Just back from 2 days in Edale. Did a very nice 30mile loop around Ladybower on Saturday, and then an explore of the excellent WinHill trails on Sunday morning.
Absolutely beautiful area, locals could be a bit wild though...
Also, I know we're in a heatwave but the reservoir level looked really low
Right.
12/13 September looks like a good option. I've contacted loads of campsites but none of them with space seem to take groups ( no great surprise I guess)
Anyone got any campsite suggestions in Edale/Castleton for that weekend?
Going to see the Molotovs in Sheffield on the 12th and it's my birthday on the 13th.
Ordinarily I'd jump on it as a birthday ride, but my daughter is over from Oz for a couple of weeks and those are two of the days she is seeing us.
Don't rearrange for me though, no doubt there'll be another time 👍
And if for some reason others can't make it and it gets rearranged, I'm supposed to be out on a Stanton owners ride out with Dan Stanton on the 20th
