Hi Guys,
Not familiar with the area but might be staying in Chatsworth Park soon. Should imagine there is good riding to be had in the area (froggatt etc). Anyone got any routes / strava rides etc they could share that would be a good day out in the area ? Cheers all.
There's plenty - do you want a nice day in lovely countryside, a gruelling all-day punishment or a complete tech-fest that will have you scared your pants will fill?
I like the "Five Dales" loop from the v-graphics white peak loop
https://www.trailforks.com/route/5-dales-route-white-peak-mtb/
some of it can be a bit boggy in truth, so if you're going soon then the "three and half dales" alternative might be a better choice given the recent wet weather - @martyns can advise on that one as it's been that long since I rode it I'm not sure I could describe it (though once on the ground I'd be able to guide you round it with no issues)
@pook, do I recall the famed Keeper Of The Peak retweeting something about a tree down on the gof course descent?
From the same white peak book, the “Rowsley circuit” is one of my all time favourites. Takes in much of the 5 dales route but with some variation. 38km I think and 1100m of climbing - it’s a pretty decent day out. There are some cheeky descents you can link up too. One in particular, linking off the bridleway after Birchover, is a singletrack treat, especially in spring with the bluebells.
I must’ve done it 20 times and I miss not being able to do it now.
do you want a nice day in lovely countryside,
Sounds very appealing these days Jules!
I must say I tend to avoid that area in the winter, the decent deserts are a sloppy nightmare (IMO obviously) but I have the luxury of being able to go that way when its nice weather!
The v graphics 5 dales route is a good one, but Derbyshire CC have tarmac'd one of the more testing climbs so its now just a road.. (bits of 2 dales up to flash lane if anyone knows that part of the world)
I only really know the routes from the books, I've not explored the area that much, i'm sure there's some smashing riding (interested to know about the Singletrack treat near birch over!)
complete tech-fest that will have you scared your pants will fill?
Where would this be hiding?
Where would this be hiding?
Stanage is reachable, or mabe around Hollinsclough? Bit of a trek either way, and one man's tech is another's regular ride.
Chatsworth is on the boundary between limestone and grit. The limestone valleys will be very sloppy this time of year. The moors will be quite boggy in areas but are a better bet. Locally there are some nice permissive bridleways - see: https://www.visit-eastern-moors.org.uk/.
Other than Eastern Moors/Curbar & Froggatt, I tend to avoid Chatsworth and south on the MTB these days - there might be some good steep cheeky stuff hiding in the woods, but for just riding around a gravel bike is better.
Eastern Moors loop can go either way - a lot of it is non-tech, but you can have a lot of fun on an MTB playing on the rocks on the edges, then link that into Blackamoor.
Eyam has the Cotic test track, which is ace on an MTB, but that's not very long - although good value.
Gravel* wise from Chatsworth - Beeley Moor, Carlton Lees, Edensor, (then down the golfcourse into Bakewell, then you're on the Monsal Trail) are all on the doorstep. Head a bit further south and you've got Stanton, 2 Dales, Clough Lane linking Darley Bridge over to Birchover (all good either way). Once you're on the Monsal Trail, there's plenty round Monsal Head, Longstone Edge then all the old quarry workings south of Stoney Middleton, inc Coombs Dale.
Or you're only 15mins drive from Hope and "proper" Dark Peak riding...
*in the "shit 90's mountainbiking" sense of the word.
I'd imagine that the rowsley circuit or 5 dales route would be a bog fest at the moment. Unless it doesn't rain for a week or two.
I'd head up to to Baslow and take the track / bridleway up to Baslow Edge. Then do either the eastern moors route or up and along to Longshaw, Houndkirk Moor and Lady Cannings. Then back via the eastern edge of the Eastern Moors route. Will still be wet, but not as boggy.
One to be wary of if you do decide to try the Five / Three And A Half Dales route
https://twitter.com/100Climbs/status/1481656653225218055
The five dales route definitely comes up through Limetree Wood heading north before the excllent flat-out descent to Beeley Lodge around Hell Bank woods. I'm not sure where the road is closed
