Hi,
I am hoping to ride in the Peaks on Saturday, somewhere close to Sheffield and was wondering what the best route may be in the snowy weather if any at all?
I live down in Cambridge but my wife is visiting friends in Sheffield so I thought I would try & get a ride in if possible?
Any tips or suggestions would be much appreciated.
Thanks
Geordynige
well...we're being told its going to snow heavily on Friday.
Its also going to be really icy.. its wet up here!!
Warncliffe woods might be worth a look, I've never been so can't comment on what its like!
Not been up there for a while, so I'm sure there will be folk with more valid advice. Close to Sheffield I'd be tempted to head to the Dark Peak around Ladybower - it's pretty weatherproof around there, most of the time. If it's really cold and all the rocks have frozen that might not be such a great idea though!
**edit**
Wharncliffe might be a good shout actually. Again I've not been for a while (had a BIG crash last time!) but a mate was up in there the start of this week and said conditions were perfect.
Thanks Guys, Wharncliffe woods sound good - will check them out
Someone asked a similar question the other day. It's a toughie because it largely depends how much snow we get. A lot of trails that were muddy and horrible will now be much easier to ride because of the cold weather, but if a load of snow comes down you might be pushing/carrying. If you're around Ladybower and the snow really is too difficult to ride the "proper" trails on, it will still be a pleasant pootle around the reservoirs and lanes. If the trails are rideable you can string something great together and you're not too far from bail-out options.
I would bear in mind the roads are likely to be a pain if we get a decent amount of snow.
Personally I'd take a sledge also, and drive out into the Peak towards Hope or Edale, there'd be fantastic descents in the deep snow (even if it'll be a nightmare slog to get up) then if it looks like complete snowmageddon or the roads are too bad, you can always stop and sledge instead.
Unless it is absolute snowmageddon in which case Wharncliffe might be a better bet, but personally I'd always go for magical snowy scenery given half a chance.
Thanks Still Tortoise, Ladybower also sounds like a good plan
Hi Joe,
I was also thinking the same - if it is a day like today then it will be awesome out on the peaks but if the snow is deep could be a workout!!
I have the white peak book - do you know any good websites where I can grab the gpx for trails?
Cheers
GN
Bear in mind the suggestions so far have been Dark Peak but you actually asked for White Peak, yet are staying in Sheffield. Most of the White Peak stuff is a bit further south. Typically it is not quite so steep up and down as some of the routes around Edale/Hayfield, so you may find the White Peak a bit easier if there's a lot of snow. However it will also have been very churned up by the recent mud and rain and then frozen, so surfaces might not be that fast flowing.
Just come on up. You'll have fun whatever
Oh yeah, I assumed by White Peak you meant Dark Peak and that it was a mistake, coming from Sheffield as you are.
Personally I would recommend the steeper hills of the Dark Peak, or something on the edge of Sheffield - the White Peak is further to get to from Sheffield, on small roads, but also on the less steep stuff (Bakewell, Rowsley rides from the White Peak book, that sort of thing), if there's lots of snow, you find yourself pedalling on the downhills which is a pain. Down this end in snow I'd always head for some of the steep (but unofficial) stuff at the edges of the White Peak (like round Cromford) and enjoy the kamikaze descents into snow drifts and depressing pushes up, rather than the less steep stuff where you're slogging even on the down hills.
Thanks Still Tortoise & Joe,
I have only been to the peaks three times before and every time we have ridden out of Hope. Each time it was warm & dry so doesn't really help me. Only reason I need to be fairly close to Sheffield is to get back to the missus in the afternoon.
As I don't know the area that well, any advice on where to park, where to start the ride, etc?
If you go to Ladybower there is loads of easy to find parking within striking distance of the trails (and Sheffield), although not all is FOC. The main visitor centre at Fairholmes is a good start. It's worth having a map/guidebook since although the trails are mostly obvious, it'd be a shame to waste riding time
As mentioned on another thread
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