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I did the walk of shame down Cavedale last week, not once but twice. I was fairly content with my choice... I was on 60km + routes both times, and riding my Giant Anthem, which is frankly shit on stuff like that. It would probably have been better if I'd put the seat down, but it's such a faff and I probably still wouldn't have cleaned it.
So I pushed all the hard bits.
I seem to recall doing most of it a few years back, but on a different bike, and on a shortish ride.
I'm pretty sure I could ride it on the Sped Enduro, but then I wouldn't have been able to do the rest of the [well certainly the second] route
So, who has the skills, strength, stamina that gets them down Cavedale as part of a proper bigassed ride?
Or is it just a case of getting a dropper post.....
Get a dropper.
Only ever gone (pushed) up it...which is daft.
Part of an all day ride a few years ago, its not me but I now have the bike, just lack the skills.
https://www.vitalmtb.com/videos/member/Sixth-Element-Carbon-Wheels,33764/LailaMTB,43619
So, who has the skills, strength, stamina that gets them down Cavedale as part of a proper bigassed ride?
Or is it just a case of getting a dropper post…..
Towards the end of a 40 odd miler (only broken road climb and descent to Edale to go), I think I'm 5 out of 6 on various full susses, 0 out of 1 on a hardtail (mk 1 solaris).
All with a dropper. Makes a serious improvement to control and enjoyment at any point you are stood up and not pedaling - so an entire 50% (by distance, not time) of a ride in the dark peak when going downwards.
I've never made the loose climb up from pindale though. Usually get bored/fatigued and weave into the bank, or spin the back wheel with about 30 yards to go.
I’ve never made the loose climb up from pindale though
Yep, I failed on that on the same ride.. which was annoying as I cleaned it the only other time.
Cleaned it a couple of times on a hardtail but not my favourite descent! Never considered riding up Pindale before last night but managed it ok. I’ll take the 29er next time and see if I can trouble Paul Oldham’s time! 😀
I have in the past on two 60 miles rides. Once on a Pace 305 HT, the other on a Turner 6-pack. The biggest part of the challenge second time around was lugging the turner around in the rest of the ride.
Cave Dale doesn't need lots of suspension though.
Never cleaned it, dropper or no dropper. Only ever tried it in the wet, that’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it. I’m 6 out of 7 up Pindale though.
The biggest part of the challenge second time around was lugging the turner around in the rest of the ride.
Well yes indeed. That is the whole point of my question. I'm sure it's eminently feasible to take an appropriate bike there and clear the descent, but to do the following is seriously impressive.
I have in the past on two 60 miles rides
Chateau sir.
Only ever tried it in the wet, that’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it.
It’s never not wet!
It’s never not wet!
It was pretty dry last Sunday. 🥵😫
It’s never not wet!
True but it does vary between "I'd be better off in my kayak" and "a bit damp"
I’ve never made it down all of cavedalde sadly.
I had my best run last time. While the foot went down several times I didn’t have to walk or adjust my line. That’s a first 😀
Never made it up Pindale either. 3/4 of the way before messing up.
That’s why I love the peaks more than trail centeres- there is always something to go back and try again- more or less mud, too dry, not dry enough, someone in the way. Walkers ...
Never done it on my anthem, although could prob have a decent go with a dropper. If it were gritstone it would be no prob as you'd have grip on tap, but wet slippy limestone is a different proposition.
Yeah how wet it is makes a massive difference on the limestone.
Maybe 3 times total. Once was in the snow where it was deep enough to cover all the rocks and it was so fresh it gave a lovely crisp grippy line straight down it.
That really nice ripping crunching noise you get on fresh snow. Easiest descent of the route ever!
The other two times were sheer luck - lack of walkers, dry(ish) conditions, having a good day...
Its not that bad, the bit through the gate gets steep and takes a bit of comitment but other than that if you get tired you can always just ride on the grass!
Last time I rode it was ages ago on Specialized Pitch, cant remember the route. I think we'd been looking for an alternative (cheeky) Mam Torr descent then came over the valley via Bradwell Clough and had fish and chips in Castleton so probably not an epic.
Used to be a regular destination with the uni cycling club too, so that would have been on a hardtail with 80mm forks! That may have been harder work!
I usually get down it feet up as long as it’s clear of ramblers. My rides round there rarely exceed 20 miles though. Riding Cavedale with your seat up is sheer madness though, braver man than I!
Around 2012 two of us did lord of the loops on Scott sparks. I cleaned cavedale using the " l am too tired to walk downhill " mindset.