Potentially have a couple of hours to kill in the Peaks next weekend. Have business in Oldham and also in Huddersfield so could come back south via the Peaks so lots of possible options. However, I will be alone and don't really want to get into a mud fest. So any suggestions for a tidy, representative Peaks ride of 2-3 hours max.
Cheers
Go north. Plenty of dark peak options, the free loop on the vertebrate publishing site is good for wet weather. I can send some gpx files? There's also quite a few threads in here if you search dark peak.
I'll be out on the bike next weekend if you want a riding buddy?
Edit: try searching kinder loop on here rather than dark peak as that's mentioned on most threads along with other stuff to give food for thought.
Also http://www.mountainbikerides.co.uk/routes/1-the-peak-district/15-jacobs-ladder.html
You could also start at the Quarry car park at the end of the road out of Hayfield
Kinder winter route is a must, 90% on rock no mud but a few puddles to be expected.
But don't do it anti clock wise (up jacobs) like almost every group we have seen recently appears to be
Edit as per nbt's route
We rode round Ladybower (Fairholmes > up Hagg Side > down Hagg Farm > up to the Roman Road > down Blackley Hey > up Rowley Farm > down Lockerbrook) last weekend and the only really muddy bit was the Roman Road, the rest was riding well. Beast was good the other weekend too if you fancy that instead of Blackley.
Vertebrate wet weather circuit will be grand too, though since resurfacing isn't as much fun as it used to be.
There will be some mud mind. Just not enough to spoil it.
Best all weather Peaks circuit is the classic Roych Clough/Jacobs Ladder route. Me and mates did it in two and a half hours recently by shortening the start to avoid the Mam Tor ridge. Start at Upper Booth (free car park), climb up Chapel Gate, then head towards Roych Clough and descend towards Hayfield but turn off to climb Coldwell Clough which takes you up to the top of Jacobs Ladder for a fantastic descent before a gentle spin back to your car. Alternatively you could join me and my mates who are planning a ride from Hope early Sunday morning (8.30 meet) You'd be welcome to join us
Even OP, what sort of time Sunday?
May I suggest the figure of 8 Snake pass start, Winhill, hope cross, beast, hagg climb, lockerbrook, screaming mile/gores, bastard climb, lockerbrook then hagg farm to finish. The only mud is Winn hill to Hope cross (100m's)
whats wrong wit a bit o' mud? what are ya, a roadie?
Thanks for all the replies guys. Plenty to go on with.
@ Mildbore. There is actually a possibility I might spend Saturday night in the truck and ride Sunday so the offer to join a group from Hope might be an option
@ jekkyl. If you knew how much mud I was dealing with on a daily basis feeding sheep in this weather you would understand. As for riding around here at the moment......
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Let me know closer to the weekend and I'll give you details if you fancy joining us. Dunno if you're on twitter but if so '@KoftheP' is a good source of info on up to date trail conditions
You don't have to be "on Twitter" to read twitter. Anyone can read keeper of the Peak, that's what makes it such a great service
Right, just an update due to developments. I am still coming up for Sunday morning but I noticed there is a Dark & White MTB Orienteering event taking place near Hathersage and since I am aiming to do several events outside of my local area this year (in order to qualify for the national league) I thought I might as well enter this one. So cheers to everyone who offered advice or the chance to ride with them but looks like I will be head down, a**e up for 3 hours, on Sunday morning somewhere around Froggat Edge. Probably in a blizzard!
Oh Joy
🙂
Well hopefully this event is in the Dark Peak, the only White Peak ride I did was one of the muddiest rides I've ever done. Perhaos my local guide just picked badly ?
The White Peak is horrendous at the moment
Tis up near Hathersage so largely on Dark (I hope)