Planning a bit of a ride with mates on Saturday. We're in/near Leeds.
Any locals to the following able to comment on current trail conditions?
- Dalby (specifically the off-piste stuff at the southern end)
- The Peak - Ladybower/Stanage/Win Hill etc
- The Peak - Cut Gate
- Wharncliffe/Grenoside
- Calderdale (Hebden Bridge)
Trails locally aren't too bad, but then we didn't get hammered with any snow last weekend ('tho had a fair bit of rain), but awake there was a lot of snow in the Peak, which has presumably all melted and turned the trails to mush?
Ta.
I was thinking the same thing myself, so following this thread with interest (and adding the Moors around Rosedale Abbey to the list).
My dad was working in Cropton earlier in the week and said most of the snow was gone and things weren't too wet considering, so as long as it doesn't rain too much before the weekend, it should be okay.
*edit* And I reckon Cropton conditions are probably similarish to Dalby
Dalby has been so dry for so long I'd take a guess that the off piste stuff is still absolutely fine. To be fair, it usually is whatever the weather especially the southern stuff which is generally pretty sandy and drains well.
I haven't been out since before Xmas but I'm sitting in Sheffield looking at the rain wondering where to ride tomorrow.
Wharny is a safe bet as it rides the same in any weather. In fact some days the shittier it is, the more fun it is.
Dalby has been so dry for so long I'd take a guess that the off piste stuff is still absolutely fine.
I don't know recent conditions but just after Christmas, it was absolutely bone dry, really nice to ride.
I'm going to do one of the Dales Bike Center routes in Swaledale on Saturday for the first time, so hopefully that's not too boggy.
Dalby will be absolutely prime as above - its been much milder today and yesterday, I'd be surprised to find anythng frozen now, and like the poster above its been so dry for so long that even when it does chuck it down its not a bog fest other than the odd puddle.
My preference is always to be in the trees during winter, saving The peaks, dales etc for after the clocks change and spring starts to appear...
Looks like it'll snowing in Hebden on Sunday afternoon. It can come down pretty fast over some of the hills around Heptonstall, and on the Pike, dress for winter if you're headed that way.
I'm going to do one of the Dales Bike Center routes in Swaledale on Saturday for the first time, so hopefully that's not too boggy.
Wont be boggy up there, its all loose dry gravelly rocky stuff once your up from the river bottom.
Its the wind that will get you! Ask Stu in the shop before you setoff - he does a cracking 'finger in the air' move before letting you know which routes to do to get the tailwinds right!