Am hoping to introduce my mate to mountain biking, but for logistical reasons the route has to start from Fairholme Car-Park by the Derwent Reservoir.
He has cycled the Danube before so he knows what it feels like to be on a bike but obviously I don't want to break him (well...maybe another time) or make it so hard that he doesn't enjoy himself.
The thing is I'm not familiar with Hope/Ladybower so can anyone recommend the best bits to squeeze in to a shortish route?
I have the wild boar map for the area so finding and following the bridleways won't be a problem but which bits should I make sure we don't miss?
The more fun, the better, could do with avoiding too many massive uphill slog-athons if at all possible (probably not tbf 🙂 )
Unless you go round the reservoir (not really mtb) it's all up from fairholmes and none of it is an 'easy' up for people not used to mountain biking, the easiest up is probably crookhill farm as the steep bit is Tarmac, along hagside and down lockerbrook/gores back to fairholmes (or go down hagg farm (rocky) to a57 along road and up rowlee farm (surfaced climb again) to get back to top of lockerbrook), if he coped with that head other side of reservoir and up to whinstone tor (will be some walking) and along to cutthroat bridge to come out at ladybower inn then spin back up road to fairholmes again
It's all very wet and very muddy at the moment though, and definately not suited to anyone who has never riden properly off road before, there is a fair chance you would break him there are some big loose rocks and wheel sized ruts whatever downs you took
OK cheers for the info- seems like might have to have a re-think or maybe keep it really short and make sure there is a pint at the end to stretch the day out a bit. Sounds like mileage-wise it could be a short one!
Even short miles can take a while to get around round there. It's not the Alps but it's not the easiest terrain
EDIT: Specially in the wet