[Closed] Peak district ride ideas

If you've only got one day then head for Ladybower, takes a lot of beating.

While you're waiting for suggestions of specific routes, have a browse of the Flat Tyres website.
There are loads of photos, to give you an idea of the terrain.

(We're looking forward to trips to Dartmoor and the Quantocks!)

I say this every time, but get yourself a copy of the V-Publishing Dark Peak Trail book and pick from the obvious classics - pretty much any loop around Ladybower, Cut Gate is superb in the right conditions, and/or the classic Jacob's Lader / Roych Loop.

You won't get classic woodland, twisting singletrack round here, but there's plenty of rocky stuff to get your teeth into.

Edit: this, and 30% off at the moment - bargain!

https://www.v-publishing.co.uk/books/mountain-biking/peak-district-mountain-biking/

Yep, for Dark Peak you want the classic Ladybower route and/or Kinder route (cue arguments about which way round is the best way for the Kinder one).

Also worth doing something in the White Peak as it's quite different.

If it's been dry, Cut Gate is a gem.

Ladybower trails are good as above.
Or a Jacobs ladder loop?
Grabbing a copy of the Vertebrate Publishing Dark Peak guide would be an idea - especially if you're planning to head up here again (and why wouldn't you?).

Si

**EDIT* Beaten to it by everyone.

Typically ride the dark peak as it's more technical and drains really well compared to the white peak. However, each summer when we do our first white peak ride and it's all nice and dry, I realise just how much I've missed it.

Second the comment about filling your boots with vertibrae guide books. Especially with the 30%. It's a small operation that would really appreciate the support at a time like this.

I come to realise this week that my most memorable rides in the peak district have been the ones away from ladybower/ hope (not to say they are not very good). The best tend to be with an OS map and a general "i want a loop" mentality finding as many bridleways as i go. Quiet, sunny, just me, birds, views and enevitable sheep poo.
Having said all that Jacobs ladder loop is always rewarding. You get remoteness, rocky paths, tough climbs and good decents. For some reason i prefer it opposite way round, up Jacobs ladder. Just take extra food and a another layer in case it takes you a bit longer.

If the weather is good and it's been dry, for me Cut Gate is hard to beat. Extend it around Ladybower and it's pretty much my ideal day out (though you will have some gravel and road to join up the awesome).

Cave Dale is great fun too but only consider it when it’s bone dry. And if it is watch out for the crowds of walkers.

I bet Cut Gate will be riding brilliantly this weekend. We know when we'll be allowed back - the day after a week of heavy rain.
But yes a Ladybower loop of appropriate length.

I love the quantocks because it’s so different to the peak (home turf)

we do rocky tracks very well up here,but Singletrack like the Q’s is few and far between..

depending on where your staying depends on where to point you, buy the dark/white peak books as inspiration. You can come more than once!!!!

come back after a bit of research for a route critique!

Cut gate for sure. It's a classic for a reason.

Cheers all, much appreciated.

After looking at some videos and routes I think the plan is to do a hollins cross/jacobs ladder route, then potentially Cavedale as well if that's easy to tag on at the end?

https://www.komoot.com/tour/50063794#previewMap

Then assuming it's dry on the other day Cutgate looks brilliant, or Ladybower if not!

If you're feeling spry, you can always do a big day ride heading out over Cut Gate then looping back via Ladybower and Hope Cross then either the Roych or Jacob's. There's a stretch of not very exciting riding between Glossop and Langsett, but you can do pretty much all of it off-road and the scenery along the Longdendale Valley is actually very cool. Don't be tempted by Doctor's Gate though. It's pretty stop-start and, to link it legally, means a big slab of the A57 Snake Pass on the road, which isn't very lovely, particularly on mountain bikes.

As all have said, while your here the Cut Gate is the must do if only one route done.
Cut gate is the one, and lady bower is easy add on.
Can be made as small or large as you like.

+1 for this

There are so many singletrack routes just out of The Peak District. Ashover, west of Matlock, Beeley and Barlow are great. Short routes but tough, going down Vernon Lane towards Kelstedge is like a bobsleigh run and the routes around Rowsley are challenging. Yes, Ladybower, Cut Gate good (two broken ribs, dislocated thumb, and I’m fairly local), get an OS map and highlight routes. Old fashioned, yes, but gives you a plan! Have fun.

And to add on there’s a book by my former colleague, Tom Windsor, that has some good rides.