[Closed] One day in the Peaks - Cutgate or Ladybower

Cutgate will be Ace right now. If you've a whole day then you could do that and a decent ladybower loop.

Given recent weather, Cut Gate!

Cut gate would be my suggestion.

i'll go out on a limb here and say Cut Gate is **** - i do not get the hype around it

Is it too much to ask for both?

It's too much for my legs to ask for both!!!
But seems to be a lot of love for Cutgate

Both great routes, but if I had to choose one it would be the classic lady bower loop - win hill, potato alley, climb up to lockerbrook and down the screaming mile, quick coffee & cake stop at fairholmes and up to derwent edge, straight on when you get to winstone lee tor and down 'les arcs'. Drop into the bottom of the last rocky descent and pop out by the ladybower in for a lovely refreshing pint of farmers blonde. I find that loop more fun than cut gate (although it's a very close run thing)

+ sofa boy

Was up on Cutgate from Langsett on Sunday and it was in great condition. Not many times in the year when it will be as good.
The classic Ladybower loop above is also first class.
My pick would be Cutgate coming back down North America as the other is good all year round

I do love cut gate (+1 north America) but if I was visiting I'd do what sofaboy says tbpfh. Nice views, good variety of riding, natural stops.

Cut Gate is a bit bleak 🙂

I love cutgate but have to agree, it's a bit of a one trick pony that also has a limited window of opportunity. That window is wide open right now and riding it mid week would be perfect. I'd imagine it might well be bumper to bumper this weekend.

If you're new to the peak, the ladybower loop will give you greater variety and still make use of some of the best descents around.

Ladybower gets my vote of the two although right now, it's hard to resist the white Peak.

The Ladybower route is probably more fun IMO, the one suggested by Sofaboy is cracking though I'd go Beast over spud alley 😀 . Cut gate will be perfect just now though, which doesn't happen often so might be worth doing it while you can if it's on your list! However, it can be a bit short on its own and it's easier to extend your loop by a few km if you stay around Ladybower.

dirtyrider - Member
i'll go out on a limb here and say Cut Gate is **** - i do not get the hype around it

I felt like that about half way through the ride, not because it had been dull or anything, just because I didn't think coming back along that route would be enjoyable. But I was wrong, thoroughly enjoyed the ride.

I'd still say Cut Gate at the moment as we were lucky that a trip to the Peak (please, not Peaks, it's Peak!) coincided with a spell of dry weather and the conditions were good. This is not, I had been told, usually the case.

If, however, you rarely get to the Peak then I guess you're actually after "the best ride" out of those two and not "the best ride to do now" if that makes sense. In which case I'd say the Ladybower loop is better than Cut Gate overall.

We seem to have ridden the Ladybower loop in one form or another quite a bit when we've been up that way, which was probably another reasn I plumped for Cut Gate when I initially replied.

So, a helpful - "either one" vote from me!!

Si

Ladybower loop is ace, just skip the les arcs but - we've had a bit of friction with the landowner in the past. Cutthroat and then down to the pub is cracking too

having only recently ventured into the peak and done ladybower and cutgate only.

I would say cut gate. Its not as fun as the ladybower loop imo but it will be horrible in wet / windy conditions as there is little shelter. The ladybower loop you could ride all year i would expect.

Ladybower. Unusual for a Lakes rider to 'not be up to something'. Jacobs loop is not excessively hard but few options to bail.

Check out the peaks route on the Edge Cycleworks website, I did this by myself with a map and their directions, took ages but has a good mix of stuff, sofaboy's route is good but I think The Beast is better than Potato Alley.

That being said, I'm 30 mins drive from Cutgate, and this time of year I start at Langsett, ride out over Cutgate, drop down to SlipperyStones then do a combo of Sofaboy/Edge Cycleworks route, then return via Cutgate (same way), this is at least 30 miles, chuffing ace ride just a shame you have to do ride one side of the Reservoirs twice.

Speaking of which, we pretty much rode the sofaboy route on Sunday and CHUFF ME how rough has potato alley got? It seems like there's a lot more flat rock uncovered now and the 'potatoes' are much bigger. I'm not complaining but it used to be a flat out blast straight down (hence finding Beast more interesting) but you've gotta pick your line much more carefully now.

Cut gate! It's dry, go ride it!

If you do end up doing Ladybower, do The Beast instead of Potato Alley.

Each to their own, I love that Potato Alley decent!

For me it would Sofa's suggestion, rode exactly that route recently, brilliant ride.

If you do end up doing Ladybower, do The Beast instead of Potato Alley.

Or do both! Easy enough to just push back up the Beast after doing it.

Or do both! Easy enough to just push back up the Beast after doing it.

That's my plan for next weekend 😀

Up that way in a couple of weeks time - is [url= http://my.viewranger.com/route/details/MTM4MDI= ]this[/url] roughly the route described above? Ta!

sofaboy's loop for me, that said, fingers crossed my mates are up for cutgate tonight from holmfirth. ;0)
not been up this year.

Up that way in a couple of weeks time - is this roughly the route described above? Ta!

that's pretty much exactly the route decribed, other than not taking in the 'les arcs' descent (after point 2, winestone lee tor, straight on down the red dotted line - although as others have said this is somewhat of a cheeky trail as not a bridle way, although in years of riding it I'm yet to see a walker on it)

do The Beast instead of Potato Alley.

both excellent descents. beast is more technical and great fun (but as mentioned above potato alley seems to got rougher over the years), but PA is longer and the climb up the other side of the valley to lockerbrook is easier - cant go wrong either way

I'd go for potato alley over the beast as well, I prefer speed over tech. My BIG fave loop would be to start in Castleton, up the broken road, down greenlands, cut back up to hollins cross, down to the road then up the bridleway climb to hope cross. Down potato alley, up the other side and down through the woods gores farm to the res. If you've got bags of time round the top of the res (just coz it's nice and peaceful with Lunch at the slippery stones) down the other side and up to winston lee tor, I've never done the les arcs drop but the cutthroat bride one is good fun, down to the pub, a swift pint then up the other side of the res again and down roman road to finish.
You will sleep well that night. Have fun.

How long is the cut gate route to get the good bits? i have a couple hours spare Friday but not enough time to do the 28 mile route ive got downloaded on view ranger. Anyone have a GPX of a shorter route?

How long is the cut gate route to get the good bits? i have a couple hours spare Friday but not enough time to do the 28 mile route ive got downloaded on view ranger. Anyone have a GPX of a shorter route?

starting from the langsett reservoir end makes it a bit more time efficient. if you are really pushed for time you can just turn round and retrace your steps at the big cairn before the descent which leads to slippery stones (although it's a shame to miss it out) which means it's doable in couple of hours comfortabley and you get all of cutgate proper

Did cut gate last month from langsett, my strava log says 10.8 miles and 2 hrs 9 mins elapsed time. My mate did get a puncture and need a stop for food, so doable under 2 hours without killing yourself, fitness depending of course.

[url= https://www.strava.com/activities/961483596/shareable_images/map_based?hl=en-US&v=1493392820 ]Strava linky[/url]
19 miles out and back from fairholmes. Takes an old duffer like me 3-31/2 hours

Eddy if you email me I can send the gpx, address in profile.

If short of time then do Cutgate from Langsett via North America and then back down the western BW. Turn round when you hit the bog of doom or feel you are running out of time. It's all rideable, all good. However I daresay most people would say the best bit is the final bit of the descent going south, just before you reach slippery stones and the top of the Howden reservoir, but it's hard to include that in a short ride.

As to Les Arcs, I'm probably out of sync with the majority but having ridden it once I won't be doing it again. A waste of gravity and a waste of goodwill, either of the legal descents from WLT are more enjoyable IMHO

Because you've got the weather I'd say Cut Gate from Langsett, but you could tack a loop on the far end - ride around to the Whinstone Lee Tor bridleway and go up and down to Ladybower Inn. Then over the bridge and you could climb from the Bridge End car park to do the Lockerbrook descent and then back to Cut Gate for the return leg.

It's nearly the longest day - you've got the hours of daylight to do it......

As to Les Arcs, I'm probably out of sync with the majority but having ridden it once I won't be doing it again. A waste of gravity and a waste of goodwill, either of the legal descents from WLT are more enjoyable IMHO

+1

Les arcs/insanity is the most fun I've had on a mountain bike in the peaks.
However it is a bit contentious nowadays and although I've not ridden it myself for the last year or so riding buddies tell me it's getting wider and losing some of its appeal so I think I'll be leaving it alone for now. Shame.

Cutgate. It will as dry as it ever gets so in good condition.

Someone told me it was Cy Turner that cut Les Arcs, dunno if it's true or not or if it matters!?

Obvious answer is both.

I rode this way for the first time ever (I know) a few weeks back. As mentioned, Cut Gate is a couple of hours across and then back again, so it's natural to loop some form of Ladybower in to it. We did the [url= http://www.mbr.co.uk/routes/northern-england/peak_district/cut-gate-peak-district-gps-route-download-321377 ]MBR route[/url], 4-5 hours should do the job.

I'm obviously not too familiar with the area, but the trails were dry and dusty, save for a 50m bog section on the top of Cut Gate. I preferred heading north back across Cut Gate, which is a great way to finish the ride.

For a decent length ride with a good bit of variety I'd say the Ladybower route.

I did cutgate from Langsett on Saturday. We did enjoy it but its not all that long a ride although fairly tiring. It is possible to carry on past cutgate round derwent to reach other trails and come back but there is a long boring section that you need to ride both ways to acheive that.

Les Arcs needs a hard earned rest. When I first rode it who-knows-how-many years ago, it was incredible, a single ribbon of loam!

I'd seen it on a Monkeyspoon video and put 2 and 2 together to find it. Trouble is, it's a mess now, 15ft wide in some parts and it's not a suitable trail for the amount of traffic it gets.

The legal way to Cutthroat Bridge is fine enough, particularly if you get a nice tail wind 🙂

And Peak District MTB have done a load of work on it to create a flowy line

I'd ride Cut Gate, you can do the Ladybower loop any time but Cut Gate will be perfect now. It's perhaps not as exciting as Ladybower but it is great. I'd really recommend the route suggested above of Cut Gate, up towards WLT, up onto Derwent Edge, then down Les Arcs, across the viaduct and up and down Lockerbrook before returning over Cut Gate if you have the time/energy.

I wouldn't say Les Arcs was in that bad a state. There's two lines for the last bit of the plateau, as there have been for a few years, but they aren't widening. The last open steep bit is a bit wide, but that's also been like that for years and it's too good a trail to not ride.

I don't see the point of riding Potato Alley when the Beast exists.

just skip the les arcs but - we've had a bit of friction with the landowner in the past.

Am I right in thinking that 'Les Arcs' falls just outside the National Trust and the belongs to same landowner that owns Bamford Edge & Moscar Moors etc? Whose family made their fortune making snuff and he has got 'form' for not liking walkers/climbers/cyclists/fell runners etc who access his land without making a contribution to its upkeep? Good to see that he hasn't mellowed much despite the CroW Act! 😉

However it is a bit contentious nowadays

Contentious in what way? between different user groups or between the landowner and users?

I prefer Cut Gate myself, was planning to head down and do it from Langsett with a Ladybower lollipop at the southern end - should be a big but manageable day out.

Ive been up cut gate a few times and it was OK but didn't get the love for it.

Went up in the dry spell in spring and it was amazing. Do it now it is unlikely to be better

Thanks for all the advice everyone. Just back from riding Cutgate. The clincher was that's I'd had enough driving when I turned off the M1.
To be honest you'd have struggled to have a bad ride today what ever the route, warning but not too hot, bone dry trails and a little breeze. But Cutgate was awesome!!

The climb from Langsett was surprisingly rideable, just a few little pushes on the steeper, looser bits. I didn't 'get' the top bit on the way out. Not uphill but definitely not down or even flat. And it seemed to go on forever and I couldn't get any rythym. But the descent to Ladybower made me forget all that, a bit of everything. Then down the track on the east of the reservoir to the visitor centre for coffee. Looking st the map I continued down the reservoir a mile or so then up a steep climb to Lockerbrook activity centre and a great decent back to the reservoir. Different from Cutgate but still fun. Then Tarmac along the lake before the big climb. By now this was mostly a push but I didn't mind, id had too good a day. But what made it was the decent. This time the top bit made more sense and seemed over a lot quicker. Then singletrack for what seemed like miles with barely any climbing all the way back to Langsett.
So all in all a great day and it's whetted the appetite for more. Ladybower loop next time.

Thanks everyone!!

Marked for 2 weeks time

Jealous, lovely day for it

Contentious

Glad you enjoyed it, after 30 years it still one of my favorites

love the fact that we've spent all day debating it and the Ops out and riding it. Any pics Op?

No sorry - no pics. I never seem to take any photos when cycling or walking. It was a bit hazy for good long distance views (but that's being really picky about the weather!)

But one bit would have made a good photo if I dared! Bloke stops to ask me directions. No helmet, topless and no pack or gear of any sorts. That's going to hurt if he comes off. And he was covered in tattoos saying '100% white', 'Britain first' and 'English till I die' and so on. I'm not one to judge, but it was hard....

Glad you had a good ride! Bearing in mind I think the Lakes is like the peaks on steroids, how does it compare the other way?

I thought it was a bit tougher than the Lakes to be honest. Both are rocky but I wasn't so used to the big loose rocks in gullys. Obviously the climbs aren't as tough as some of the big hike a bike days out in the Lakes but still longer and harder (I thought) than the southern Lakes riding in Grizedale, Landgale, Ambleside etc

Thanks for the help to my querie guys, sorry for the slight thread hijack op glad you had a good day out!

Well seemingly between landowner and users. A thread a while back regarding a certain Sheffield based brand having filmed a sick "edit" there etc.

Ahhh ... interesting - just had a quick look at 'that' thread. Can't believe I missed that one! Wow. It all escalated in true STW style didn't it?

Although it sounds like it was more contentious between the different local mountain bike 'interested parties' ... I note the landlord is mentioned - but only by reference.

Ahhh ... interesting - just had a quick look at 'that' thread.

I think I missed that one too - and cant find it. Care to give me a hint

I'm not that well versed in the latest goings on, but I am aware that PDMTB have been doing sterling work on the WLT bridleway and are also in negotiations re new trails elsewhere around Ladybower.

I think I missed that one too - and cant find it. Care to give me a hint

The thread is in the public domain and so I see no problem in providing a link to it:

[url= http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/irresponsible-bike-brands ]http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/irresponsible-bike-brands[/url]

My ride day (this weekend) is rapidly approaching.. will Cut Gate still be in a good shape after the recent wet/dry period?

[url=

like it is ok at the moment. Thunderstorms due tomorrow [/url]

[url= https://twitter.com/KoftheP/status/882680790957662211 ]Yep, KoftheP update from that same ride[/url]

was up there last night went over and back, existential bog is no worse than its ever been , apart from that it was parched

A few highlights from my cut gate jaunt earlier on in the year. Setting off from Langsett over to the Fairholmes cafe and then back.

Am I right in thinking that 'Les Arcs' falls just outside the National Trust and the belongs to same landowner that owns Bamford Edge & Moscar Moors etc?

Turns out I should pay more attention to my BMC newsletters:- Jeremy Archdale apparently sold Moscar Moors and Derwent Edge etc last year to the Duke of Rutland/Haddon Estate - which has just been implicated in the 'illegal killing' of wildlife.