Peak District Ladybower & Derwent Loop and BikeHike love

BazQuirk

Just wanted to say thanks to the forum for introducing me to bikehike.co.uk. The Google Maps/Ordnance Survey dual map view is inspired.

Have used bikehike to plan a little birthday treat for myself in a couple of weeks. Taking a day off work to tackle this loop around Ladybower and Derwent reservoirs in the Peaks, which combines a few sections I've taken from a great little guide book called Dark Peak Mountain Biking which I can whole-heartedly recommend.

I'm sure many of you good people know these trails like the back of your hand and I'd like to hear your experiences and/or top tips.

sniper68

Its a classic loop which we do all the time,apart from the bit around the top 2 dams which is just tarmac/fireroad stuff.Some classic climbs and descents there.Derwent Edge/Whinstone Lee Tor can be a bit boggy but are drier this year than they've been since 2005.The pull up Win hill from Aston/Edge farm is a tough one if the winds in your face and its been wet Avoid riding through the puddles on the Roman Road...some of them are 18"deep
I've had the book/cd about 5 years,great guide.

ratty2k

Yep, a classic route and rightly so- a mix of everything that the Peak has to offer. Some long rocky descents and some muddy bits. As ibbo says, avoid the puddles on the Roman road... long and deep! Lots of grip with the gritstone, but make sure you wash the bike thouroughly after the ride, it gets everywhere the grit and is finer than sand and will wear stuff out pretty quickly if you let it...

bluehelmet

Crackin route. Did it a few times back when I lived in Derbyshire as a teenager on my '93 Kona Cindercone. Not done it for years now, must go back with the full suss at some point. I used to add a tiny bit extra singletrack on by turning left on the A57 then turning right at Ashopton. Depends how the legs are feeling. I was a right lucky git once, must have been a re-enactment of the bouncing bomb practice runs or something as a Lancaster (was that the one?) bomber came flying down the valley as I was up above it on a glorious summers day. I'd forgotten all about that.

gaz047

bluehelmet - yes mate was the lancaster bomber.
baz - great riding round there, some cracking terrain, if you've not already done them have a go at the edale-hayfield loop, or for an out and back give cut gate a go (cheers ibbo and ratty!)