As above really - wife has booked a weekend nr Matlock at the start of Feb and I'm looking for a couple of good rides nearby.
I know of great routes further north around Ladybower reservoir and Jacob's Ladder, but would ideally like something fun and technical further south.
Any recommendations for suitable short day/half day routes appreciated...
The Pennine bridleway starts just up the road from Matlock at Middleton Top and round Stoney Middleton,Eyam,Bakewell and Over Haddon.Have a look at OS White Peak you'll find loads of tracks you can link up to make as short/long as you like...
Some good rides from Matlock pretty much, although what do you mean by 'technical'? Jacob's Ladder level of scaryness, or more like the stuff around Ladybower which is mainly not that hard except for the beast?
There is lots of the sort of long xc riding that is nice round there, sort of similar level to Ladybower, and there is proper hard riding, but it is hard to direct people on much of that.
This is a nice route (anti-clockwise if it isn't obvious)
http://www.bikehike.co.uk/mapview.php?id=20299
probably a couple of hours. Starts very close to Matlock. It has some nice singletrack and a nice fast rocky climb / descent to start and finish.
There is some great riding around Cromford (couple of miles down the road from Matlock, although I can't map it, all the best bits aren't on the OS map, maybe someone will post a description of a ride round that way.
If you're coming up from the south and have time to spare, this is a great little loop, starting from just off the A6, although I'd skip the first climb if it isn't frosty, as it will be a mudfest. Two good technical descents with rocks and roots and things and a load of nice stuff in between, and if you hurry it can be done in well under 2 hours.
http://www.bikehike.co.uk/mapview.php?id=24048
It is also conveniently near this very nice cafe / delicatessen (and a very nice chocolate shop/cafe opposite) if you happen to have someone waiting for you (and it isn't a sunday, Belper closes on Sundays).
http://www.freshbasil.co.uk/
Joe
The Pennine bridleway starts just up the road from Matlock at Middleton Top and round Stoney Middleton,Eyam,Bakewell and Over Haddon.
Although be aware that the first 15 miles or so of the Pennine Bridleway are basically a converted railway path, so not at all technical (6 foot wide and flat).
Joe
There is also Shining cliff woods that has some nice (and a bit cheeky) trails in it. (a bit south of Matlock where the A6 meets the A610)