Today I realised that I'm only about an hour and half drive from the Peak District NP (not been driving very long so places are emerging as day trips all the time :) ). So I have been trying to put together a route starting from Matlock-ish type area. Looking at a 70-90mile route to do as a day trip.

At the moment I got something following the Pennie bridle way North and looping back round at Jacobs ladder and climbing Chapel Gate and along Rushup Edge. Then the data usage ran out on bikehike for today.

I was going to post the route here to ask for a once over but I just wondered if people had some gpx of routes around that area, ideally bits to get me back to Matlock-ish.

I have been looking at http://www.peakdistrictcycleways.co.uk/mtb-routes.php already btw.

I'd have to have a snoop back through my gpx files to find some but I'm sure theres plenty.

I take it you're happy with the route you have so far through to rushup?

ok, I have somethng for you.

Let me have your email and I'll send it.

I'm a bit hazy after dropping off shatton moor and chatsworth as I've not linked the two up for a long time.
The bit from rushup to shatton has lots and lots of options, passing fairhomes for a cup of tea is often nice though.
You could knock a few miles off and change it around a bit, I'll explain in the mail.


Its not sounding like an easy ride though... :D

That's great FLV thanks. :D

Email is ijustworkhere 'at' gmail.com

A hard route is what I'm after really, it's training for the 2tonOgravel. My rule of thumb is 1000ft of climbing per 10miles. Last weekend I did 83miles with just short of 9000ft so you can see what I'm aiming at.

I'm happy with the start of the route in that I have a line on the map and I don't know any better. I had considered doing the Pennine bridle way this summer so thought it would be a chance to get a look at it. It's a bit flatter at the start than I expected though, not sure if that's good or bad. . I'll take a look at what you send then I'll post up what I do and see what folks think. :)

i think it showed 5800ft for 46 miles. If you want more weaving about in the area i could suggest an additional loop over chinley churn, then lantern pike before heading up edale cross. Then, well... lots really

So this is what I have. To be honest this is as large as I would want it to be for now. Any suggestions for better riding but generally no more distance/climbing would be great.

Is any of this route likely to be a muddy mess? I don't mind mud and puddles in general but I had to do a bunch of walking last weekend locally because the mud was so deep and very sticky and I would rather avoid going else where and walking through their mud . I'll happily use country lane instead of bridle way if some bits are worth missing out at the moment.

This would be ridden clockwise, am I going the right way over Jacobs Ladder to get the good descent?

http://www.bikehike.co.uk/mapview.php?l ... ast_v1.gpx

Cheers!

JL is a longer ridable climb and rockier steeper descent the way you have it.

When you climb rushup, stick to the left path, dont cross to the BW untill on the way down the otherside and its all a nice gravel climbable path.

Whinstone lee will have a push (10mins), and a short muddy section at the bottom near cut throat bridge (just 5 mins of frustration). If its a nice day, its worth it in my opinion. If you dont fancy it, just carry on next to the res.

The descent of shatton will be slippy if its been wet, it was muddy last night on the way up but still ridable going up so should be fine.

Hiya

You've got quite a long road bit between the leadmill and grindleford/calver (it's a horrible road to ride on) I would turn off after the plough and go over leam hill and sir William hill, (the barrel pub near by for good food) turn off towards eyam and then drop down to Stoney.

Paul

Thanks so far guys. Made some tweaks as suggested.

Is the bridle way between Curbar and Baslow worth the detour or is there a good way to go directly south-ish from Eyam and cut off a few miles there?
I guess it will be dark by the time I'm at this section of the ride so picturesque doesn't bother me so much just not a muddy death march would be great.

When are you thinking of riding this? I'd be interested in a long outing if you'd like the company.

Edit: I've always found it tricky to keep ascent as low as1000' per 10 miles in the peak.

You can head south from Eyam. Above the quarry (steep but rideable) past deep rake/black Harry gate, eventually come out in Rowland. Then head east to Hassop and pick up single track to Pilsley. From Pilsley head south west to come in to Edensor from above on a nice bridleway. then your back on your route in the chatsworth estate .

I'd expect pauls routes from hathersage to be better than mine for sure.

They might not be better but they will probably be easier

ianfitz wrote:When are you thinking of riding this? I'd be interested in a long outing if you'd like the company.

Not exactly sure yet, I'll drop you a PM. How are you on short notice?

Edit: I've always found it tricky to keep ascent as low as1000' per 10 miles in the peak.

I think this is why I might find myself coming North more often. :)


I tried making some of the changes south of Eyam but they didn't make much difference to distance or climbing so left it as it was. As is there seems to be places I can short cut if time is running out. Version 2 is here:

http://www.bikehike.co.uk/mapview.php?l ... ast_v2.gpx

I'm thinking that I could possibly do it anticlockwise but do the Jacobs Ladder loop clockwise. That way the last 15miles is a nice and easy roll back to the car. Any reason this might not be a good idea, no death marches to do when going the opposite way?

composite wrote:

ianfitz wrote:When are you thinking of riding this? I'd be interested in a long outing if you'd like the company.

Not exactly sure yet, I'll drop you a PM. How are you on short notice

Varied availability on short notice, Wednesday and weekends much more likley to be doable.