Thurs 11th Feb – Peak or Cannock?

Hi

Im currently in Manchester with work
Happily I have my bike stashed in the back of the car
We are staying overnight and the boss has given me the day off tomorrow as compo to travel back to Cambridge

I know the Peak a little and Cannock less
Im looking at scary grey clouds and probable snow out the window and cant decide which to go for:

1) Bomb straight down the M6 to Cannock, which is at lower altitude and so hopefully wont be as icy

2) Head out East on the A57 to Ladybower which I really fancy from pics here but dont know how the trails will be

3) Make for Castleton via Stockport and take a look at Edale/Kinder etc

Any ideas folk?

Its not often I get up here and I dont want to waste the chance of some good riding
Cannock looks the safer bet but Id prefer the Peak if theres a chance of decent conditions somewhere

Route suggestions welcome 🙂

Thanks

Ladybower trails are fine. Maybe a bit muddy but fun.

Have you got an OS map?

Many thanks

Yes I have an OS map

WHat would you recommend?

PS Its now really snowing in Manc

yup, just started coming down in Sheffield too.

I'd now advise Cannock. Shame, as the Peak is far better.

FWIW – Ladybower, big parking layby on the A57. Up to Crookhill Farm, NW to Hagg Farm. extra loop – descend down to the A57 again, head west on A57 and then up to Rowlee Farm and back up to the top of Hagg Farm descent . Over past Lockerbrook, down to Gores Farm, round to Fairholmes for a cuppa.
Follow east side of reservoir to Ashes Farm, then up the track. Keep going up and up, along Derwent Edge to Whinstone Lee Tor, down to Cutthroat Bridge, then BW back to Ladybower Inn, then car.

shortcut: chop off the Derwent Edge bit and come back along the reservoir.

stopped in Shef now and sunny once more – that trail I've suggested isn't too elevated tbh

I'm looking at The Peak District hills from my office window and what was just an odd smattering of white patches this morning is now a white layer. It doesn't look at all deep though and the suns shinning again.

Just to let you know iamsporticus that it has snowed over here in Cannock and the snow has settled – probably a couple of centimetres, with a hard frost tonight – some areas of the Chase maybe tricky. Would advise the Peaks if it hasn't snowed there. The 'follow the dog' trail on Cannock Chase is slightly uninspiring compared to the rest of the area but you would need local advice to get the best out of it. Hope this helps you make your mind up.

Just to let you know iamsporticus that it has snowed over here in Cannock and the snow has settled – probably a couple of centimetres, with a hard frost tonight – some areas of the Chase maybe tricky.

😯 Tricky riding on the Chase!!!!!!!

Shameless bump 🙂

Its 11pm ish in Manchester with no snow for ages

Cannock is reported to be the Baltic if not the Arctic LOL

The Peak remains uncertain

I'll log on tomorrow over a bowl of Frosties and then decide for sure

Its a shame to be so close to the Peak and not ride it
The only dilemma is what route (full english half way round desirable)

Cheers

Cannock Chase was lovely last night, but I will admit to feeling glad I wasn't out there tonight, getting a bit fed up with the snow now.

Peak is different class. Try one of these routes. http://www.mountainbikerides.co.uk/routes/index.htm

Personally I like the Hope Triple 8, but they've got bits in reverse. The Beast is a must to ride down. (Hope to Hope Cross then right down the Beast). It's quite a long day tho.

We rode the same route as pook's a few months ago and it's ace but then cannock is ace too just to help u make you'r mind up 🙂

Many thanks fellas

Im going to try Ladybower then unless the locals say otherwise

I have GPS and an OS map

I'll check back after brekkie

You can recce my saturday ride for me if you like – will put details on when I get into the office

Happy to Pook

I'll be out of here soon but if you get the route up here and a rough time to aim for 🙂 I'll do it as Im spoilt for choice and cant decide myself

Cheers

Ok – Edale, up to Hollins Cross, up Mam tor, over Rushup Edge, down mount famine, up to Hope Cross, down Jacobs ladder…

:o)

cheeers

Wahay – what a ride 🙂

Sorry Pook Id left before youre post else would have done your recce

I went to Ladybower and let the weather and conditions decide my route
It was -3 when I arrived and obviously a bit lethal in places
So I decided to start with a climb facing north and descend the south facer to try and minimise ice

I parked on the Snake pass and rode 1/2 way up the reservoir system then took a sharp left back on myself up to Lockerbrook, it was icy in bits and a challenging climb, I couldnt stop thinking it would be a sweet descent but thee you go – and like I said it was icy which would have been 'interesting' at speed

From the top I took the less attractive, and closed, bridleway through the tarmac switchbacks which seemed a waste but I didnt fancy any miles on the A57 which the Hagg option needed
By the way despite being closed for work there was predictably no work going on

Next across the Snake and up Blackey or Blackney Clough
This was seriously tough
Black ice at the bottom and horrible boulders in the middle bit
I would easily have killed myself going down it

Left at Hope Cross through the trees to a very fruity track indeed LOL
Lack of familiarity lead to a couple of dabs at the top then some lovely flowing riding to the last third when the ice reappeared
Im fairly sure this is the Beast – Id like to try again without the ice one day

Round the reservoir and over it to the side of the pub then up Cut Throat Bridge to the top
This would have been seriously miserable if the mud wasnt frozen solid – as it is my Mud X's were totally not needed and slicks would have been fine all day

At the top I had to stop and admire the view – pretty stunning, it was a beautiful day
The route down was made tricky by drifting snow but this cleared after a few hundred yards
Anything facing west suffered from drifts actually
Apart from some overconfidence and a trip over the bars its a nice blast to the bottom then back to the car

28km and lots of fun

I hope the locals dont take it for granted
You guys have some superb riding at your doorstep

Cheers!

Sounds like you made the most of it. It's terrific riding and as you say it doesn't really matter if you go up or down some of the routes, they make equally good ascents as descents.

In fact, we often go down the Beast (never heard it called lovely flowing riding before) and then push back up because it's a great descent, but there's nowhere to go once you're at the bottom.