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Hi all,
I've started to take my bike out to the Peaks for real riding recently, however I read things about certain parts of trails that are either closed or have been ruined in some way or another...
I don't live in or next to the peaks (Nottingham) so am not so up on local knowledge of the area and when routes are not accessible.
If I am to be planning my next ride/s for the next few weeks, I am wondering what are trails to avoid due to closure or being ruined?
Thanks in advance,
GC
There is a lot of flux in the peak district trails, presumably because they get a lot of traffic (and a fair-share of inclement weather). I've seen high-traffic trails go from relatively smooth to almost unrideable to completely renovated in 6-7 years of riding here (E.g. Chapel Gate). Point being, whilst some of the guidebooks are very good, if it's more than a couple of years old there are likely to be significant changes to some of the routes.
In addition to this, there is massive seasonal variation in the trails. Although for the next few weeks most will be dry enough, some are very overgrown at this time of year - more so in White Peak. If you leave it a month or two, some previously-whizzy trails will be horribly muddy and slow.
Best bet is to put up here where you were thinking of going and get a condition report before you set off.
Hi guys, thanks for the useful replies.
I will install twitter and add the feed to my phone.
Super - thanks for the in depth response too. Some useful info there. Will post asking for a condition report 🙂
Cheers
Black rocks, Crich chase and Ambergate are all in good condition at the moment.
Black rocks, Crich chase and Ambergate are all in good condition at the moment.
None of which are in the peak district...
If you're new to the area just get out and ride - there are very few closed trails and the repaired / resurfaced ones are usually still worth riding if they're part of a route. "Real" riding (as you put it) is about exploring, after all!
There are precious few "new" legal trails, so those guide books or routes off the internet should still serve you well. And, as above, locations just outside the National Park also offer great riding - Belper / Ambergate / Ashover / Linacre are close to Nottingham.
Drop me a mail and I will take you round crich, black rocks etc I come from just outside nottingham.