Because I'm a kind and generous sort of bloke, I went out and rode some of the stuff above Hope last night - no new snow, but lots of old, grey, melancholic stuff clogging up anything that's vaguely walled or sunken, so the Roman Road out of Hope is clear to Hope Cross and then a massive, unrideable drift. Most of the Jaggers Track above the ford is fubared as well, though there's something of a trail on the bank to the left. The bridleway up towards Hollins Cross from Mam Nick is comprehensively banked out from what I could see from the road - yes, I did...
Anyway, based on last night's ride, anything that's not open or low down is likely to be holding some hard-to-ride residual snow. I rode both the Roych and the Jacob's Ladder track early this year and both had a load of big drifts, I'm guessing that a fair bit of that will still be hanging about.
Anyway, it's all good fun. Might bump into you guys on the trail tomorrow.
jon
ps: no new snow last night, I drove back over the Snake and nothing falling there, wet this morning.
I really want to come on this ride (walk/ paddle/swim?) now... Not looking forward to the stag do tonight, s i will only know a couple of people there, and I cant even drink. I'd much rather be in the hills. Still, theres allways next time.
cheers for that jon - if that's the case with the roman road I'd think the stuff on the other side of rushup might be ok, especially with another day's worth of melting.
Expect it to be wet though everyone!
Waterproof trou on then! 9's good, cheers
mmmm I think im gonna do a loop round Ladybower tomorrow - Crookhill farm - Lockerbrook Farm - Suicide Brake - Jubilee Cottages - Flagstones - 2 barns - Derwent Edge - Whinestone le Tor - Cuthroat Bridge - finish at Ladybower Inn.
Should be ok cos its quite open & low down!
I was supposed to be riding with Jon last night but we missed each other.
As it happens I covered a different area: Broken Road, Rowter Farm, Dirtlow Rake. The Broken Road is clear, as is the Rowter Farm track as far as the farm, but after the farm (heading towards Dirtlow Rake) the track is completely covered with un-rideable, massive drifts.
I cannot imagine that you will get over Jacobs on bikes tomorrow and I reckon Rushup will be pretty bad too.
The Pennine Bridleway from Rushup Edge to South Head is unrideable other than in short sections. I "ran" it this morning. Most of it is several feet deep in very wet snow, with absolutely no chance of a significant melt before tomorrow. It was hard enough on foot without dragging a bike along too, so no point in including it in tomorrow's route.
I didn't look at Rushup Edge itself. I guess parts of that will be bad too, but may still be worth a look tomorrow.
Sambob's Dad
So a fundamental route change in the making then? Any suggestions?
just come down south, even the snow is civilized down here, it all melted a week or so back.
I'm still keen to do the route (dont they have walkers up there?). We can miss the first climb to Mam Tor and ride up the rode then along Rushops. I guess the benefit *might* be we can use the cheeky route along the top of Rushops edge?
Skyweather forecasts heavy rain there today. http://news.sky.com/skynews/Weather
just come down south, even the snow is civilized down here, it all melted a week or so back.
I remember it being a push/struggle on the North Downs last Sat!
lyons could be right, maybe South is the way to go.
But not too far South - just something a bit more White Peak than Dark Peak?
Yes Hora, I agree. I will be there with ourkidsam for what could be a push. Come prepared everyone.
[b]ORIGINAL ROUTE BLOODY MINDEDLY GOING AHEAD![/b]
I'm out. If I want to go for a walk, I'll go for a walk, I won;t take my bike
nbt I trust your opinion- do you think it'll be that bad?
ORIGINAL ROUTE BLOODY MINDEDLY GOING AHEAD!
Enjoy your walk 😉
this is now getting ridiculous!
[b]
If anyone else is happy to get a route posted of a similar length, in the vicinity of this one, and guide it, I'll happily come along.[/b]
I'm not massively in the know on the white peak stuff. All i have is one around Baslow Edge i could potentially lead on but it's not what i'd call a medium.
Hora - it's built and I think I like it & it's looking good ! Cheers. Only had one ride last sunday but it seems nice and feels different to the old Kona in the ways I'd hoped. Bit of a faff with the brakes is my only concern as I tries the new servo wave XT's lever on the old calipers but it doesn't seem to be as compatible as shimano & Madison advise. Can't ride Sat though.
Trying to save for Fox vanillas & lighter wheels 4 the summer !!
Trying to save for Fox vanillas & lighter wheels 4 the summer !!
Samehere with my full sus. I had to scoop gritted salt out from behind the cups and from in the bearings etc.
Yes- Is there another potential route that doesnt go along the tops. What about the original Cavedale route that we did last time? I remember only the top of Mam etc then was snowed up. The rest- include the traverse across to Hope Cross (as its open) should be fine?
should be - although this would suggest not
but after the farm (heading towards Dirtlow Rake) the track is completely covered with un-rideable, massive drifts.
If its only that bit?
Well I'm up for it full stop old chap.
Well I'm up for it full stop old chap.
It's looking like it might turn into an experimental, suck it and see type of ride tomorrow owing to whatever snow coverage we come across. I'm ok doing that, it all depends on other people I guess whether it remains a massive group ride
Change of plan for me, I'm off to ride DH in Wharncliffe instead. I'll aim to make the next one though
I've been put off by the talk of unrideable sections, I'm not too good on foot.
Enjoy the adventure, make sure you get pictures if it gets particularly ridiculous.
Any ideas what the majority of the Cavedale route would be like?
I'd say boggy with mel****er. It's not long to get there though from what sound like the clearer sections
What the hell, I'll still be there. Will check with big bro tonight but think he'll be up for it too. Got some new waterproof socks and stuff to try out so nows as gooda time as any.
I don't mind a bit of an adventure but if large sections of route are completely unrideable then it seems a bit daft to try them. I like riding in snow but if it's carrying my bike downhill through snowdrifts that's just not fun, especially with my bike. I don't have much waterproof gear for cycling either. I could go and get some trousers tonight and maybe some sealskins socks (are they any good?) but it'll make the ride very expensive!!!
😆 I'm still coming. Although i'll keep an eye on this thread for any major route chnages. Other than that we could always slightly change the route in the morning once everybody is here.
Sounds like a Cavedale/Ladybower type ride would mean more riding, although i'm not fussed.
Robdob - I have some Thermal Seal Skinz. I love them, and my feet are useless!
Hope I didn't put anyone off. I'd ride anyway - and I'm going to - sometimes it's the days that look less than promising that end up being glittery and special when you least expect it. And not always for the reasons you might think. Or something like that 😉
I will trust the judgement of those who have been up there in the last day or two and cry off myself. I'm all for adventure but I don't get out on my bike much these days so I want to be on it as much as possible (as opposed to beside it).
I've got a busy afternoon at work but I will try and think of a White Peak alternative and post details on here if I get chance. Ooh! Splinter group. I reckon most of the area around Chatsworth should be clear - if wet and muddy. Not "classic" like Kinder but I'd rather ride a lesser route than push on a better route.
I reserve the right to change my mind (again) 🙂
Seriously, if you want to go down Cavedale you'll be fine as far as Rowter Farm but you've got at least 500m of 'hike-a-bike' across very deep wet snow.
I avoided the worst of it last night by taking to the fields and running parallel to the track, crossing fences and walls with the aid of drifts. Fine if you're on your own and it's dark - not really feasible on a Saturday morning.
Just to be clear, the fields are mostly clear - but where the snow has drifted, e.g. along just about every bridleway - it is very deep and unpleasant.
mmmm I think im gonna do a loop round Ladybower tomorrow - Crookhill farm - Lockerbrook Farm - Suicide Brake - Jubilee Cottages - Flagstones - 2 barns - Derwent Edge - Whinestone le Tor - Cuthroat Bridge - finish at Ladybower Inn.
Should be ok cos its quite open & low down!
That sounds good. Cafe in the middle, pub at the end. What's not to like? 😀
SBrock - We are crashing you ride 😉
Seriously though guys, could be a good idea?
Hmmmmm. What is the Cavedale route like?
hmmm - we did that route partly last time.... I'm game....
All in favour...
I was out on Wednesday around New Mills and even there the drifts were pretty deep/high on the top sections. Looking over to Kinder it's still quite thick in snow.
nbt and I rode Jacobs in icy/snowy conditions a few years ago and it was a constant hike.
I've baked flapjack, so would still like to come, only if it's an adventure with enjoyment. Can only cope with a teeny amount of scariness.
OK OK - new plan if all in favour.
Meet, ladybower BIG layby, where the burger van parks.
Route, as above. Crookhill, Lockerbrook etc etc?
Is that ok all? Can I get 500 replies?
🙂
Maybe I should expand a bit on what I found this morning. Some bits of the Pennine Bridleway were clear including the steepish descent of Royche Clough and up the other side, but more than 50% of the distance from Rushup Edge to South Head was deep in heavy snow, so that rather than going through a number of the gates, you could just step over the top. Also there are a couple of smaller cloughs before you reach Royche Clough - at these, the snow had corniced and I guess was about 10ft deep. Yet the fields are pretty well clear. The snow has drifted into the track between the walls. It is possible to get along the track, but for more than 50% of the time, you'd be carrying or dragging your bike - no fun at all, particularly with a large group. I'll try to post a few photos I took with my phone if I can get my head round the technology.
My suggestion would be to do the proposed route as far as the Pennine Bridleway. There is plenty of snow at the gate onto the PB, so you could have a look from there. If it's very slow going over Lord's Seat, head back to Barber Booth via Chapel Gate, or by road via Mam Nick. If it's been reasonably easy over Lord's Seat, extend the route into Pin Dale or Cave Dale, or even both. I don't think it's worth going for a completely different area at this short notice.
Let's face it though, the conditions aren't good for a high level ride and some people may prefer to give it a miss.
As I (and of course Sambob) live about 20 minutes away from Edale, we'll come over anyway and if we finish up doing a shorter route, so be it.
Took me a while to put that post together, so Pook has posted in the meantime! I'm OK with the Ladybower suggestion.
Pook- is the Ladybower one the same as the Last STW Ladybower ride? (Im not very good with the place names etc).
not the same meeting place, and it's a vast amount shorter than the last one. But parts of it will be the same.
Meet here at 10am: http://www.multimap.com/s/g4F7enwM
SBrock - We are crashing you rideSeriously though guys, could be a good idea?
Pretty much what I thought!
I've got to admit and thinking about some of the posts above- I had two days struggling in the snow last weekend. It was a challenge but Im not sure I could face another day of it.
On this route (any of the locals?/people who rode over the past two days)- is it clearish? I was hoping (wishing) that it'd had thawed significantly over a week 🙁
Hora, we'll ride the ladybower shorter loop, and then play later in the deep stuff later on if you like
😀
[b]NOTE TO ALL -WE'VE CHANGED THE MEETING PLACE TO [url= http://www.multimap.com/s/g4F7enwM ]HERE[/url] AT 10AM.[/b]
sorry for the confusion. Blame the snow
NOTE TO ALL -WE'VE CHANGED THE MEETING PLACE TO HERE AT 10AM.sorry for the confusion. Blame the snow
LOL LOL LOL!!! You all bottled it then!!!
No seriously I think it's wise, I think the Ladybower loop will still be challenging cos its gonna be very wet!!
I normally park my car at Hetherdene CP so prob see you all at 10am!
I haven't got any kids to get from school tomorrow so no need to rush - I can now enjoy a pint & chip butty in the pub now!
PS we got 2 GREAT descents to look forward to!
Whats the route? Any grassy climbs? (cough- there was one last time up from Ladybower Inn that I HATED!) how many miles? Any clicky route mappy thingys?
hora ygm
Good stuff 🙂 We can always make it longer/shorter...
Again, i'm looking forwad to this now 😀
Pook - I'll bring my camera mate, if it's shorter there should be more time to play!
Excellent - my latest vid is [url=
if you're interested.
Just looked at the weather for tomorrow - looks like we're in for a clear day chaps.
[b]10AM LADYBOWER BURGER VAN LAYBY[/b]
😆 Nice vid.
Tell you what... tomorrow has the makings of a brilliant day out.
Counting the minutes till 5:00pm
ok - i'm logging off now chaps. See you all in the morning!
I'm pretty sure theres no parking where the map link goes to? Do you mean the one round the corner nearer to the bridge across the resevior (ie to the east)?
I'll not be making this. I have plans elsewhere tomorrow
(For some reason I had it in my head this was Sunday? Just me being thick)
Hope the rides a good one
I'm not making it either, I'll have a trip out Sunday instead.
Almost bang on where the map is there's a huge layby with normally a burger van in it. We will be there at 10. Hanging round til about quarter past then setting off! Should be a really quite fantastic ride with those who are coming. Hope to see many of you there
Mmmmmmmmm burgers.
It better still be a pootle, ok? 😀
I'm still coming. Look out for a Peugeot 207SW hire car driven by a fat dipstick with a Pitch. That'll be me. 😉
Name badges still needed all! Forum name then real name. Don't stick a packing label to your head though. We did that to my grandad while playing the name game on xmas day and he's still got the scar!
you bunch of buggers, i still dont have a car so was gonna come in on the train to edale, the nearest train to ladybower is bloody miles away. looks like i'll have to sit this one out
Podge, nice try to bottle out but i will pick you up from the train station at Edale and drop you back later no problems. Email in profile 😀
Podge - You coming from Sheffield?
Edit: Looks like the man is already sorted 😀
boys, will have to drop out of my inaugral pootle due to kinder duties. Will head out on Sunday now, probably round Hope.
Have a great ride!
Bins
WOOOP
YGM people
OK, the urge to meet some real STWers has overwhelmed the desire to avoid nasty wet slush-drifts. I will be there (provided I get the kids in bed in time to actually put my bike back together).
this new route isn't some massive epic is it?
I'll still be there regardless. bought 3 different cakes just for the ride tomorrow
Hi.
Newbie here from pistonheads,hora invited me on the run.
Two of us will be coming on it if ok?
I'm dropping out to, taking little un round Carsington in her Burley instead.
ah... i've done this one loads, but never up the flagstones, always down them
Popocatapetl, Podge - probably easier to get the train to Bamford rather than Edale, it's en route rather than a massive detour
I think we'll give it a go, if it's crappy conditions I know my way well enough to lead a splinter group back to the cars
Is Snake Pass now open?
this new route isn't some massive epic is it?
I'll still be there regardless. bought 3 different cakes just for the ride tomorrow
That's the spirit that makes this ride special. My wife actually giggled when I told her the ride was called Peaks Pootle. Pootle is not epic/long/too tiring/adventurous. There should be fun and laughter and cake.
She also said I could spend as much as I needed to be comfortable in the conditions. So I'm off to the land rover dealership before the ride - I'm sure that's what she meant. :-/
Think so Hora, although don't quote me.
See you all tomorrow morning!
NBT, yeah i suggested Bamford in my email. doesnt make too much difference to me, i have a sheffield to stockport season ticket.
i have now eaten half of one of tomorrow's cakes
Podge, did you get my text? i'll see you at Bamford Station at 9.35 in the Morning and bring some cake!
Snake pass open. I have had a curry and a beer. Short ride maybe. Wet most definitely. See y'all in t'morning. 🙂
Luv from sian lloyd
Snake definitely open - i've just been across it. Definitely gonna be wet too, there were rivers running across the road!
See yers in the morn
😀
you back already? i only just got in.
was well good, cheers again to Popocatapetl for the lift
In, showered, dressed and off to the pub in ten!
Brilliant day folks, great riding and great company and good to meet a few more of y'all 😀