Riding in Peak district, advice needed

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Comments

  • charitydraw
    charitydraw Posts: 61
    hey

    Oh damn. But looking from googlemaps satellite, it seems that the track to lose hill has actually a track to go back down? ):

    I do intend on having a OS map for sure, but i am considering one thing

    Would it be safe if i were to take a programme on my iphone 4 such as that of www.everytrail.com ( it actually shows the tracks as well! but without contour lines) ( the tracks such as the beast/ jacob's ladder are shown on a map-style format, not OS format)

    and have a track uploaded into it and simply follow it, while noting the different routes at each juncture with a paper OS map. Would that be possible?

    because it'll be really expencive for me if i had to buy an OS map on paper, and have an OS map on my iphone 4( intending to get the iphone 4 simply for GPS for this UK trip)

    Also, what kind of details are we talking about for the extras in the 1:25k compared to 1:50k, do i actually need those details? will it even help with anything?

    Talking about losehill, i am there in the uk actually for some really scenic biking, so although its a footpath, is it actually rideable ? ( technically speaking, whether is it boulder filled and impossible or simply a path up, because i saw a video on it and it looks pretty nice and smooth)

    thanks mate!
  • charitydraw
    charitydraw Posts: 61
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxRwVHiaQy0

    Lose hill looks like a pretty nice and scenic ride :P
  • charitydraw
    charitydraw Posts: 61
    http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?x=41 ... hp=ids.srf

    Ibbo, will the 25K map be the same as the 25K map shown on the link above?
    If SO , I may just want to print it out for referrence you know what i mean? this would save me lots of money.

    It won't be any different, will it?
  • sniper68
    sniper68 Posts: 2,910
    charitydraw wrote:
    http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?x=415299&y=385338&z=120&sv=53.3647,-1.771554&st=7&mapp=map.srf&searchp=ids.srf

    Ibbo, will the 25K map be the same as the 25K map shown on the link above?
    If SO , I may just want to print it out for referrence you know what i mean? this would save me lots of money.

    It won't be any different, will it?
    That map is 1:50K and OK for riding.1:25K is more detailed.
    charitydraw wrote:
    hey

    Talking about losehill, i am there in the uk actually for some really scenic biking, so although its a footpath, is it actually rideable ? ( technically speaking, whether is it boulder filled and impossible or simply a path up, because i saw a video on it and it looks pretty nice and smooth)

    thanks mate!
    Scenic?All the trails around there are scenic you don't need to go on Lose hill to get scenic.If you want to ride it then do it midweek because at the weekend it will be rammed with hikers.Personally I wouldn't bother anyway as it adds nothing to a ride and if I were to ride on Footpaths there are better elsewhere.
    With regards to the iPhone as a gps..not a good idea.They're not waterproof and it rains here..a lot.Also they aren't shock proof and the battery life when used as a gps is poor(I have one)and reception is sketchy.

    We seem to be going in circles here.All questions were answered on page 2 of this thread and you have had some good advice which you are either not understanding or just disregarding.If you want to make up your own routes then that's up to you.There's no point continuously asking "can I ride this" or "is this route I've made OK" If you're not going to listen to the advice given.
    Lynskey R480

  • altern_8
    altern_8 Posts: 1,562
    ibbo68 wrote:
    OK here's an example of an OS map with a route I've plotted on it using digital software(Memory map)
    5337075644_77325ced9d_b.jpg

    that brings back some memorys from last year and the year before,rode from torver-seathwaite/walked up walna :oops: /then the 30 min descent back down into torver :D
    Biking pics
  • charitydraw
    charitydraw Posts: 61
    I do know i sound a little stubborn in trying to add footpaths but its only because i thought it'd be a great addition to my ride if i were to self explore the trails and make a route up for myself to call my own once i get to the peak district.

    I was basically seeking advice if that particular footpath was rideable at all.
    but yeah, you're right.


    Iphone ->
    Actually for battery life, i got it covered ( at least i think) as i plan to have a spare IPHONE 4 ( double battery life) with an extra mini battery pack just incase my one dies off.

    - Signal : would there be a difference between the iphone 4's signal and a standard garmin gps? ( one thing bringing me to the iphone 4 is that its as phone as well as a gps and costs about the same as a $500 garmin with contract)

    - Shock proof : yeah i have thought of that, would be getting a shockproof cover for it and will only keep it in my bag and refer to it once in a while.
  • sniper68
    sniper68 Posts: 2,910
    The GPS signal on the iPhone should be OK it's the phone reception that's sketchy BUT if you put the phone in your pack it loses the signal and then has to re-locate you every time you take it out of your pack.This takes a while and if it's raining and windy(very likely in September) it will soon become a chore.
    I have both an iPhone and a dedicated GPS and the iPhone is not as accurate as my GPS.In one instance it was about 30 metres out :shock: I was on the trail but according to the phone I was actually floating on the Lake!Not good if you're near a long drop/Crag-top in poor visibility.
    Lynskey R480

  • charitydraw
    charitydraw Posts: 61
    damn ... that scares me a little ( considering the fact im actually wanting to explore the place itself)


    What weather do i expect in september? rainey, really? ): thats horrible ): but i guess thats the true british experience? haha

    Would it be decent enough if i base my direction mainly on OS map but with the aid of the iphone gps?

    eg. I refer to OS map, know that i have to turn left after 1km and turn right after another 800m? or will this quickly get me lost when there are many unmarked trail forks?
  • tsenior
    tsenior Posts: 664
    Are you confident you can navigate? If you need to ask these questions it sounds like you may not be.

    "explore the trails and make a route up for myself"

    just remember the locals have combined 100's if not 1000's hours riding time up there and have estalished their routes through trial and error and consulting each other, some of these are known as classics for a reason: they are the best the area has to offer.

    Its extremely unlikley you will stumble upon a previously unexplored connection that is worth the effort.

    yes the weather can be atrocious in september.

    by all means try your own routes but it sounds like you may spend a fair bit of time lost and carrying/pushing, which in low cloud with the light fading really will scare you.

    stick to the classic routes and if someone like Ibbo offers to show you around buy him as much beer as he can drink and still wobble home after :wink:
  • charitydraw
    charitydraw Posts: 61
    oh man for real? thats one grey area in my research! I thought september would be the perfect weather because it'd be somewhere like autumn so it won't be wet as wet.
    Oh DAMN!

    i think from this point onwards im quite sure i may just need someone to show me around :S

    damn. Maybe ill come back to peak district for a 2nd time after this trip .. ;)

    and yes by the way, im NOT experienced in navigating although im quite naive in thinking a gps and an OS mapped route would do me fine ( obviously not the case now )

    Im actually still a student back where im from.

    Thanks for the advice. Ima back it off right now!

    P.S. Following an OS marked route on my GPS for classics such as ladybowers would be a safer option, yes? ( even alone? )
  • tsenior
    tsenior Posts: 664
    yes

    you have time to learn how to read maps and practice navigation at home...the princples are the same wherever you are in the world.

    Stick to the classic routes that people have mentioned, take your map/GPS and you should be fine.

    think about alternative routes to cut short your ride and escape routes down from isolated high ground in case the weather sets in.

    check the weather forcast before you set off, wear appropriate clothing and footwear, carry food, tools and spares, money, phone and make sure your bike is in good condition.

    all of the above x2 for snowdonia, where the weather is worse and the mountains bigger :wink:
  • bamba
    bamba Posts: 856
    Speaking of weather, I only recently found the met office web site has there own separate forecast for mountain areas over the uk, really useful I think,

    http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/loutdoor/mountainsafety/
    My Trance
  • hoochylala
    hoochylala Posts: 987
    bamba wrote:
    Speaking of weather, I only recently found the met office web site has there own separate forecast for mountain areas over the uk, really useful I think,

    http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/loutdoor/mountainsafety/

    Great link bamba. I use the met office website, but did'nt realise they had a mtn specific part. Thanks! :)
    www.sherwoodpines.yolasite.com
  • sniper68
    sniper68 Posts: 2,910
    Good find Bamba 8) 8)



    In addition to tsenior's above post:- If you are staying in a B&B/Hotel etc leave word with the owner/staff where you will be going and roughly what time you'll return.Many Hotels have a book where guests can jot down where they are riding/hiking.
    Always allow more time than you think you'll need.For example the Jacobs Ladder route has taken us up to an hour longer in wet/damp conditions than in the dry.
    Lynskey R480

  • altern_8
    altern_8 Posts: 1,562
    this site might be of help to you.....as far as i know there is a i-phone app for the site as well,dont know what its like to use on a i-phone tho for following routes,you might have to mess around with it to see if it works......unless anyone else on here knows if its any good to use????

    http://www.mapmyride.com/
    Biking pics
  • charitydraw
    charitydraw Posts: 61
    thanks guys

    for snowdonia i have a guide in all trails im going ( because i plan to go on a weekday and the probability of it being ghost empty might be there right? ain't taking chances!)

    Peak district : Thanks for that app mate, will check it out!

    Thanks for the advice

    Currently im going to purchase a few things ive never needed back in my country ( because our country is so small, just one route of jacob's ladder is approximately the distance of our entire's country worth of legal trails, FO REAL. )


    1) Dakine Nomad bag
    2) Full face helmet ( pack it up for the big downs, especially if im alone so i wont injure my face)

    3) Windproof jacket

    Probably about the general things i need. The nomad bag is to carry as much food, warm clothing and medical items as possible!

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