Beginer Friendly Routes at Ladybower

Shaunw1973

Hello!

I'm incredibly lucky to have Ladybower 20 minutes drive from me. I went for a nice gentle ride last week starting from Fairholmes, and just going around the resevoir, so nothing at all taxing.

I'd really like to head off into the more technical stuff sometime this weekend. Can anyoen suggest a suitable route for a beginer please?

Thanks

robertpb

I'd go and buy yourself the OS OL1 and tackle some trails as there are so many.

If you find that a particular trail is beyond you, turn around and go back and find another.

From the map the easier ones stand out, and it's more fun navigating your own route.

simola

I think, not 100% positive but one of the MTB magazines out at the moment has a section on rides around Ladybower. It might be 'What Mountain Bike".

I'd also recommend;
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/boo ... gn=froogle

matt748

Get this: http://www.bikemaps.co.uk/ladybower.htm

I used it last week to do the first route. It's very clear, and explains what's tricky/easy/hard climbing etc. Then if there is anything too technical/you don't fancy trying, you can always make up a detour.

Matt

mea00csf

v-graphics Dark Peak Mountain Biking is an excellent book for routes around that area and beyond. You'll still need an OS map as the maps are a bit rubbish (i did navigate most without having to refer to the OS but wouldn't have liked to have been without it, just in case!)

http://www.v-outdoor.co.uk/products/mountain-biking/peak-district-mountain-biking-dark-peak-trails-second-edition.php?categoriseBy=prodSubject It's the second edition so don't know how much it's changed

Shaunw1973

Thanks for the tips on the book everyone. Have ordered a copy on Amazon.

I tried some trails around Totley Moor on Saturday - I've got a lot to learn, especially ging downhill over the rocks...

wormball

allright bud

Are you the same Shaun1973 who posted on the singletraction forum about the meeting in Greno Woods?

Only interested as I've started riding recently and live in Walkley so have been up in Wharncliffe/Greno woods quite a bit and wouldn't mind finding some other routes and you seem a good person to ask

Shaunw1973

Hiya, yep that's me.

I'll be honest mate, I've not long since started out too. I've been into Wharney a few times, but haven't even looked at Greno. I was planning a look one night after work if I can get some time.

Ladybower looks great if you can get there as is the rest of the peaks. The only other place I've been is Totley Moore and around Blacka. Set off from Longshaw Estate Car Park (S7), the route is in the 'Ride Guide' that MBR produced which you can get in WH Smith in Meadowhell.

If you find anymore let me know.

wormball

I've been going to Wharncliife and Greno because there nearest (only 5 mins in car)

Didn't even think about Ladybower but i assume you have to go on the road a bit and I'm not too fond of riding on roads

Been planning to go around Derwent but I thought that'd be a bit easy so it's a bit for to go but there's a few laybys on the A57 where you can get onto Stannge Edge and round to Redmires Dam so i thought those would be good.

Longshaw's a goods idea as well, have you tried getting over the big boulders?

Strines over to Derwent might be ok as well.

Biggest problem I have is I allways seem to end up retracing my steps instead of going in a circle but I guess that'll get better as I learn routes.

Have you tried any of the Downhill runs in wharncliffe? even the first ones a nightmare with the rocky downill start

sniper68

wormball wrote:

I'

Didn't even think about Ladybower but i assume you have to go on the road a bit and I'm not too fond of riding on roads

Ladybower area in general has probably some of the best riding in the Dark Peak with very little road work 8) Avoid going around the Reservoirs and go up into the hills.

CraigXXL

I'm going there for the first time on Saturday on my own to do the Cut Gate killer loop from MBR magazine. I know I'll end up walking up the hills as my fitness isn't there but I'm getting bored of doing the same tame routes and need to explore somewhere new.

Shaunw1973

wormball wrote:

I've been going to Wharncliife and Greno because there nearest (only 5 mins in car)

Didn't even think about Ladybower but i assume you have to go on the road a bit and I'm not too fond of riding on roads

Have you tried any of the Downhill runs in wharncliffe? even the first ones a nightmare with the rocky downill start

It's easy to get off road around Ladybower. I park at Fairholmes carpark and head from there. There's some really easy trails up around Derwent once you get passed the dam.

Another place you might want to try is Digley Resevoir. I found it in this book which I got today: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Peak-District-M ... 985&sr=8-1

I haven't been yet, but hope to get up there this weekend. It looks like a good place to get to grips with a few things before moving on to the harder stuff.

Tartanyak

The Digley resevoir loop from the book starts with a god-awful road climb. It's not hard after that and a good taster.

BGM

If you are in Sheffield, one good option which I enjoy is to take the train to Grindleford and then ride back. Northern Rail who operate the service are excellent with regards to bikes and always let you on without reservations. The ride back starts with a fairly long uphill at first, then you get onto the brilliant Houndkirk Road to Ringinglow, back through the parks past Forge Dam and down Eccy Road. A great ride which doesnt take too long.

supergrass

simola wrote:

I think, not 100% positive but one of the MTB magazines out at the moment has a section on rides around Ladybower. It might be 'What Mountain Bike".

I'd also recommend;
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/boo ... gn=froogle

its in the other one MBR... i bought it so i could sus out the route for the British heart foundation Dark Peak Challenge

Why dont you do this, cracking charity and there are 4 routes.. about 14 miles.. 23.. 34... 40

http://www.bhf.org.uk/events_and_volunt ... ps=1000633

bellys

at the bottom of the page is a link for routes around there.

there is a path that runs over Whinstone Lee Tor and down to Cutthroat Bridge (rocky but very ridable) then drop down to lady bower inn for a quick pint then ride back to your car or
there is also a good route up and over rowlee pasture and back down a very good rocky section all under trees back to derwent reservoir.

go to link below and there in pdf format at bottom of page.
http://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/index/vi ... erwent.htm

also have a look here
http://shareroutes.com/index.html