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Afternoon
Looking to do this tomorrow: http://www.mtbtrails.info/Trail_Venue.aspx?VenueNumber=65
I'm not a local so wondered, are the trails pretty rideable regardless of the pants weather we've been having ie not loads of boggy mud!
Is it really about four hours for 20 miles?
Any other useful info where to park.
Many Thanks
MT
Bit by Bradwell might be muddy, rest should be fine. I’m guessing it goes clockwise, couldn’t really tell on my phone - it is hilly, but there’s a reasonably amount of tarmac too. 4 hours seems a bit pessimistic to me, but I don’t know how fit you are.
Slightly odd route in my opinion - start in Hope, ride up to join your route then extend it round ladybower and back to Hope would seem a bit more sensible to me.
Peak miles are longer than normal ones, but I wouldn't have that ride down for anything like 4 hours unless you're really crawling.
The weather's not been that bad has it? If it has out there, then looks quite a boggy ride for the Peak - bw off Bradwell edge is a soggy one IME and I think Shatton moor could get muddy [I've only ever descended it], climb up the Roman Rd can get heavy as well. Not a nightmare or anything but the Dark Peak is good for having rocky trails that are quite weather proof, so there's better routes to be had if it's wet.
Lots of better loops to be done in The Dark Peak than that imo. It’s got a lot of road in it and only 2 descents.
Have you thought about the Stanage Loop starting above Hathersage, or starting in Hope and doing a loop of Ladybower, or Mam Tor and looping round the Hope Valley? Less road, more fun and will hold up well even if it’s been wet
Carlos
Carlos +1, not a great loop IMO. This is probably better and should be fine. Plenty of options to add onto it too, could go down Hagg Farm and then back up, repeat Gore's, etc.
Edit - and you can park near Fairholmes at the top of Ladybower v easily and for free.
Ok thanks for the replies back home in a bit and I’ll have a look at other routes 🙂
It’s pretty wet today!
I’d try something round ladybower as it’s more rocky but you’ll still have a fair bit of mud to contend with.
Jacobs ladder loop is fairly all weather too. Start in Edale though.
As far as how long will it take I usually average about 6-7mph in the peak (I’m not very fit) so probably 3 hours moving time for a 20 mile loop but could easy be out for 4 hours.
www.twitter.com/KoftheP
How did anyone ever manage to go for a ride before the bloody internet?
guide books and word of mouth?
Ended up doing this: http://flattyres-mtb.co.uk/route-guides/peak-district-mtb-routes/ladybower-loop/
Thanks for the replies - Freya made it hard work in places!