Subscribe now and choose from over 30 free gifts worth up to £49 - Plus get £25 to spend in our shop
Hi,
After finally passing my driving test recently and hoping to get my first car this week I'm looking at taking the bike a bit further than my local trails.
So I'm looking for routes (with GPX files) that drain well and aren't too boggy/muddy this time of year. Also any advice on free parking where available.
Being based in Stoke-On-Trent any routes in the Peak District or Cannock Chase (would rather avoid doing the dog/monkey again though) would be appreciated.
So far I've only found this one: http://peakdistrictmtb.org/project/white-peak-winter-route-eyam/
Any feedback on this route and it's conditions also appreciated.
Thank you.
No GPX to hand to throw at you but peaks wise, ladybower and edale are probably your best bets for dark peak winter rides as they both drain well. There's a loop that starts from edale and incorporates Jacob's Ladder on the ridesheffield website, whilst there's plenty available for potential ladybower loops. Might be a bit of a trek from Stoke but well worth it if you've got the time.
Hey! stop copying my routes. lol. Only joking, copy them all you like. That Eyam loop I did on friday isn't particularly winterish, there was a great deal of mud. The dark peak is better for rocks and stuff but there's gonna be mud wherever you go. Have a look on Strava at my dark peak loops over the last 6 months.
I have been hitting Cannock a lot as if there's little rain the waymarked trails are great, mostly mud free apart from the odd bit, just go faster or do some exploring as well.
Have you been to Llandegla, about an hour and half driving from Stoke through some terrible roads but it's another place to explore.
I'm maybe going up the dark peak in a couple of weeks time, sunday 25th if you wanna tag along. Drinks on you at the ladybower inn to end.
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12px;">No GPX to hand to throw at you but peaks wise, ladybower and edale are probably your best bets for dark peak winter rides as they both drain well. There’s a loop that starts from edale and incorporates Jacob’s Ladder on the ridesheffield website, whilst there’s plenty available for potential ladybower loops. Might be a bit of a trek from Stoke but well worth it if you’ve got the time.</span>
Thanks I've seen a few Ladybower/Edale routes but not sure which one would be best to ride in current conditions.
Hey! stop copying my routes. lol. Only joking, copy them all you like. That Eyam loop I did on friday isn’t particularly winterish, there was a great deal of mud. The dark peak is better for rocks and stuff but there’s gonna be mud wherever you go. Have a look on Strava at my dark peak loops over the last 6 months.
I have been hitting Cannock a lot as if there’s little rain the waymarked trails are great, mostly mud free apart from the odd bit, just go faster or do some exploring as well.
Have you been to Llandegla, about an hour and half driving from Stoke through some terrible roads but it’s another place to explore.
I’m maybe going up the dark peak in a couple of weeks time, sunday 25th if you wanna tag along. Drinks on you at the ladybower inn to end.
Hehe, was going to PM you but decided it might be beneficial to others to open it up to the forum. I did see your Eyam loop which looked good but quite muddy in parts, was wondering if the route I posted above maybe avoided those muddiest trails?. I've done the Cannock Waymarked trails a few times so was looking for something new, maybe I should just plot my own route on the many bridleways there, although alot of which will be fireroads but I don't mind that really.
I've done Llandegla, it was quite good but not sure it's worth the drive and hated that climb at the start.
I've heard Gradbach can be good this time of year but will still be boggy in places?.