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I'm planning to go to the White Peaks on Sat 11th Feb and have been looking at the routes in the 'White Peak Mountain Biking - The Pure Trails' guide book. Wondering if anyone has ridden the Bakewell Circuit, Ashover Singletrack or Cheedale Wye Valley routes and if so what they are like?
Or indeed if any of the other routes are worth a go please let me know. Want something that's ok for winter ride.
Done Bakewell and Cheedale amongst others.
I'll be honest, the Bakewell run (and quite a bit of that goes into the 5dales route) can get really sticky and IMO the Cheedale route is the wrong way round. There is also a long section down the limestone way that is HORRID after loads of rain. You'll also find the limestone is like greased soap if its wet.
Its a part of the world I avoid after loads of rain. If you can get out to Buxton that drains a lot better, but the route has quite a lot of tarmac.
I basically ignore the white peak for the winter and play in the dark peak instead. It drains much better.
Really enjoyed Ashover Singletrack when we did it, March time and I don't recall it being too muddy
Is this the Bakewell one?
[url= http://www.ebygomm.ourownlittleworld.org/mapping/osmap.php?f=Bakewell.gpx ]Bakewell map[/url]
My notes on that one say "Large boggy sections and numerous gates."
Bakewell will be muddy esp the woods south of Chatsworth
If you do persevere the golf course descent is fun (again it will be wet)
As others said though, better off in dark peak this time of year
that looks like the bakewell run..the golf course descent is one of my favorites, in the dry! Its a horrid slither in the wet.
Not done much round Ashover. At this time of year I'd it all the other way round and take the road and miss out the golf course section south of point6 in the route description. You could also miss out point5 to Carlton house by sticking on the road to the Chatsworth car park at Carlton Lees and coming up the bridleway from the E to Carlton house. Bit of a field plod to the wood and muddy through the first bit of it but the descent is better this way.
Cheedale circuit - the Monsal trail is now open so you can by-pass the road section via Litton Mill. The climb from the Monsal Trail to Brushfield is limestone rubble. I think its better as a descent but it'll be intrestingly slippy with the recent rain. Nothing major going round to Blackwell, steep drop in and climb out of Wyedale. Can be muddy E and W of Wormhill. I usually do most of this the other way round with some convoluted doubling back to do E of Wormhill in the direction shown. Prob wouldnt ride this at the moment, just because of the slippy slimestone. But if you did it - I'd suggest from start go Millersdale to Wormhill and then W. Reverse the whole route to point2 on the description. From there go to Tideswell and onto point7 then follow route back to start. There are a few, non-technical lanes NW of tideswell you can insert between there and point7 but you're not missing much if you dont.
A shorten / modified version of the 5 Dales Circuit could be another alternative in winter. From the start - go anti clockwise but at Two Dales dont follow the route onto the first section of off road. Keep on the B5057 for about another 900m and then take a left. This rejoins the route but cuts out a boulderly push up a sunken lane. At point2 in the guide go straight over onto an lane - with big puddles - end of that turn left and head W to rejoin the route about a km after point3. This cuts out bits nice trails in the dry but ones that are a bit of a slog in wet winter conditions. Now follow guide book route W down descent to Carlton Lees through up and over the woods to the back of Haddon Hall. If its been dry / frosty the week before then keep on the guidebook route. If its been wet take the right fork and head down to join the A6 west of Haddon Hall. Follow this W for about 800m and pick up a bridleway heading SW. Its the section between points4 and 5 in the Rowsley circuit in the guide. Again if its been really wet give the second off road section with the black graded descent a miss and replace with road. Its a wet field slog. Its then the 5 Dales / Rowsley circuit route through to the end of the ride. The field before point5 on the 5 dales route description is a bit of a mud fest as well in winter but its close to the end. Final descent is intresting in the wet.
Dark Peak area rides in the guide are better bet for Winter or Macc Forest one - just dont do this one if there's been a big freeze.
Thanks everyone for your replies. Seems to be the consensus that its the wrong time of year to enjoy the white peaks area, so I think we will save a weekend away there until the drier months.
I've been up to the Dark Peaks a few times last year around Edale etc. but as we we're only going for the day we didn't plan to go as far up as that really. Maybe we need to re-think.
Anyone know what cut gate conditions are like this time of year?
Bit too wet and boggy for Cut Gate - its best done after a couple of weeks of dry weather. Its prob best to decide nearer the time but have a few options to pick from.
Where would be a good ride in dark peaks area this time of year that won't be too muddy? Edale kinder circuit?
My favourite all weather area of the Dark Peak is Ladybower - doesn't suffer too much from mud, and you can mostly ride in trees. Which is great if it's windy.
Done Ladybower last couple of trips absolutely love it so would like to try something new?
Edale/kinder holds up well.. Its all rock! Ladybower is good to, but I avoid Winstone Lee Tor after a lot of rain. It can get really mucky up there, and the drop to cutthroat bridge can be of a mess as well.
Start in Hope. Up and over Roman Road. Up to lockerbrook Farm. Down to Res through Nabs wood. down to fairholmes, continue on driveway to big carpark on right. Up (UP) bridleway to gate at top. Right to top of Hagg Farm drop. Cross road, down, over river up to gate. Left along wide track until BW on right. Straight upto crest at top. Right through gate up track to forest (FP on map but fine to ride) across to main track, turn left. Take BW on right by small stone pile, drop down to gate. through and carry on to next gate, Follow track down walled lane. On Tarmac turn right downhill. At bottom turn right follow downhill to main road, turn right and back into Hope. Go to cafe, 18bikes then home.
Jacobs / Edale / Hayfield would be good for you if you have done Ladybower loops before.
Castleton - Mam Tor - Rushup Edge (may be a bit muddy) -Roych Clough - Mt Famine - Coldwell Clough - Edale Cross - Jacobs Ladder - Hollins Cross - Castleton?
Probably more likely wet rocks than thick mud for most of it
I did that circuit on Sunday as someone who's fairly new to Peaks riding. Surface was generally spot on apart from the descent off Hollins cross which was fairly poor, but not outrageously so. Only problem was the wind - talk about blowing a gale. Real hard work at times and just generally felt like a hard ride with all the buffetting high up.Where would be a good ride in dark peaks area this time of year that won't be too muddy? Edale kinder circuit?
If it was a calmer day then that route would be nae bother at this time of year.
Good stuff, thanks for your replies. I will prob drop a quick post a few days before we go to see what conditions are like nearer the time and make a call from there. Edale/Kinder circuit all being good.
Forgot to add.....can anyone point me in the direction of a site showing the map of the Edale/Kinder circuit I can map out on my OS map? Thanks
Ooh wait a sec.....is this it? http://www.mountainbikerides.co.uk/routes/1-the-peak-district/15-jacobs-ladder.html
Try [url= http://www.mountainbikerides.co.uk/routes/1-the-peak-district/15-jacobs-ladder.html ]this one[/url], it has a different start finish and climbs to Hollins straight away but is easy to start and finish in Castleton instead if you wanted too.
Doh! too slow...
the section between 7-8 (well climb to Broad Clough) on that link above is basically peat bog
where it says Coldwell Clough, you can see where the track goes back up Oaken Clough. You could turn back here if you were feeling the effects, or the weather was lousy. You loose abou 3 miles of the ride though.
its a good route whatever you do!
I see the path you mean Martyn between Coldwell Clough and marker 8.
I've ridden the rocky sections through Nabs Wood/Gores Farm and Cutthroat Bridge sections of Ladybower route on my hardtail and that wasn't too bad, how does Jacobs Ladder compare as it looks even more technical? Don't want to knacker my new Boardman!!!
Maybe a little bit rockier, and longer... But fun, and you're guaranteed to get "you're going to ride your bike down there? Your BIKE? Really?" from walkers at the top, some of whom will cheer when you clear the steep bit at the top.
You could do it on a hardtail (it is doable).... but much smoother and more fun fully sussed...
Ok cool, will go for it! Will re-post day or 2 before we go to check conditions. Thanks lads!
I actually enjoy Jacobs more on my hardtail, I think. But then I like most stuff more on a hardtail. You just need to learn to ping off the rocks and let the bike move!
There's routes around Gradbach and Macc forest that are pretty good after a lot of rain.