Having consulted the ‘Leisure and Recreation Committee’ at home, it has been decreed that next Saturday (5th October) is the better bet that weekend, although the Sunday is still a possible if that is loads more convenient for others.
My preferred ride option would be my ‘four up, four down’ route around the reservoirs. Start at Bridge End, up onto Hagg Side. Then down Hagg Farm, over the A57 and up the track to Wooler Knoll. Then along the roman road to Blackley Hey (aka potato alley). Then up the Rowlee Farm climb and down Lockerbrook. Quick snack and a drink at the visitors centre, then up Derwent Edge to Whinstone Lee Tor before a blast down the kosher bridle way, or the well-known super-steep cheeky, to finish at the Ladybower Inn before a quick spin back to the car.
This takes in four absolute classic dark peak descents and keeps the climbing as easy as possible. Only the last climb is not 100 percent do-able.
Other alternatives are to start in the same place, do the same first climb, but come straight down Lockerbrook before doing a Cut Gate out and back.
Or do the classic Edale and Jacobs Ladder route.
The last two are more ‘ridey’ where as the first one is maximum bang for your buck in terms of descents!
Anyway, this has been a long rambling post when we can discuss properly tomorrow, but planning away days is brilliant!
Car sharing etc can be sorted in advance too, although some swapping of email addresses will be necessary.
If we can get there quite early, it is surprising how much we can have the trails to ourselves.
