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So, I'm off family camping to Bakewell at the weekend (staying about 3 miles to the West).
Might be able to squeeze a 2-3 hr ride in - ideally with no (or very little indeed) driving involved as I won't have much time to lose.
Without my expectations being moderated, I'd prefer to do whatever the most technical enduro style riding there is in the area....however I understand it might not really be the place for that kind of thing.
So a nice trail/xc/gravel ride would be great options also.
Whatcha got?
To get to the best stuff you'd need to take at least a short drive to the North/North East
I could put together a perfectly decent route from Bakewell, with a bit of added spice, but a lot of it is cheeky. My local loops are generally South of Bakewell, but Jeffl of this parish tends to head North a bit more from the door up to Curbar Edge - you could then head up to Fox House and around that area. Not sure how far you'd get with an out and back in your available time though
Where exactly are you staying?
Thanks, staying at haddon grove farm about half way between moneyash and Bakewell
Drive of <15 mins may be ok if it's worth it.
The Darley Dale Loop would be my go-to round there. Not technical, but good fun riding.
If you are happy with a gravel loop, you could pick up the high peak trail nearby, and do the circular white peak loop. None techy, but a nice tour round if you are new to the area.
If you road ride, you have some superb quiet roads straight from the door...
For something a bit more techy, you could drive over to Hollinsclough and ride from there
Thanks for the ideas - I don't generally road ride as a rule (just prefer MTB, and in West Yorkshire the roads are generally busy)...
But maybe it would be worth making an exception if the road riding is really good. Particularly if I can ride straight out the door it may be a better bet to get a good feel for the area as a whole as I could cover more distance.
Still interested in MTB / gravel ideas however!
For gravel, there was an event called the Peak Pioneer, i think, a few years back. A mate and I went out a few weeks later and followed the shorter option. I'm pretty sure the GPX of the route is out there somewhere on the internet still and it was a pretty decent loop. albeit with far bit of tarmac thrown in. Starts and finishes in Bakewell.
I'd give this route a try. Did a version of it a few weeks back and it was running nicely. Not super technical by any stretch but the drop down into Youlgreave is fun but short, and the green lane from Birchover is a good laugh, as is the drop down to Carlton Lee's. I'd recommend doing it anti-clockwise. You could also alter it to take the descent from Edensor to Bakewell via the golf course if you fancy it.
Good food option at Youlgreave with Peak Feast, although opening hours are a bit random, and The Druid pub in Birchover is good for a pint
https://www.trailforks.com/route/5-dales-route-white-peak-mtb/map/
I've got the perfect offroad route for you... Starts in Baslow and takes 2hrs. Takes in Coombs Dale as a descent, Eyam graves and then climbs up from Grindleford to ride along Froggatt and curbar edge before a final smashing cheeky through the woods back to Baslow. Will be the absolute best that the white peak has to offer.
Message me for the gpx. When do you go?
@jeffl that's the Darley Dale loop, agree about anticlockwise, and it's a bit of a classic White Peak route, one of my favourites.
Regarding bike choice for the darley dale route or the stuff further North
Relatively meaty build trail suspension bike?
Relatively lightweight build trail Hardtail?
(I'm assuming it's not burley enduro bike territory really)
Around Darley Dale, lightweight hardtail is perfect.
Further North, depends how gnarly you want to go? On rights of way is mostly pretty tame, but off piste gets proper steep and technical.
That Darley loop is perfectly fine on my 120mm forked hardtail.
@el_boufador - when are you planning on heading out? I might be able to show you around if you fancy it. Best bits of that Darley loop with some added better bits and lose the rubbish bits. Footpaths involved though, but ridden respectfully.
Failing that, I can share some Strava routes (I live in Darley). I ride it all on my Ragley if I'm not on the ebike
On that note - I shared a route on here the other day, then later got a follow request from someone called Mark from Nottingham - if that's anyone reading on here send me a message and I'll accept
how about this too:
and some other route options here too 🙂
https://flattyres-mtb.co.uk/route-guides/peak-district-mtb-routes/
Thanks for the help everyone. @TheArtistFormerlyKnownAsSTR -pm sent- cheers!
Came here expecting cake content – disappointed ☹️.
Tart.