Where to go in the Peak District

[Robmarriott]

I've got some annual leave next week and on Wednesday, I'm going to a gig in Nottingham so I thought I'd kill two birds with one stone and spend some time in the Peak District rather than sitting at home all week and driving from Northampton to Nottingham and back in one day...

Anyway, I have no idea where to go. I went for a few days last year and stayed near Longnor but there wasn't really anything local that I could find so I ended up driving to Ladybower and cycling round the gravel path there, then stopped off on the way home and cycled the Monsal trail but both rides being on gravel, they were a bit dull.

I'm no downhill rider and I'm using a hardtail with 120mm of fork travel so I don't want any big drops but I want something a bit more interesting.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a relative beginner (pansy) when it comes to mountain biking in that sort of area?

Ideally I'd like to be somewhere on the south side of the area so I'm nearer to Nottingham but it's not the end of the world if not.

[Your Dad]

Have you had a look at Lady Cannings Plantation?

[Robmarriott]

I had not (and googled that on my phone rather than my work computer just in case )

Looks good after a quick glance, I'll have a proper look later. Thanks.

[RedWhiteMonkey]

Your Dad said:

Have you had a look at Lady Cannings Plantation?

as the actress said to the bishop....

[anonymous-user]

Mam Tor / Man Nick

[andySC]

andySC said:

Langsett to Fairholmes Cafe via Cut Gate isn’t a bad ride. It’s an “out & back” do easy enough to navigate.

ETA. If you’re in Nottingham you’ll not be far from Sherwood Pines Trail Centre. The red route is pretty good, about 9 miles or so, nothing technical and well suited to a hard tail. Cafe is good too.

Edited by andySC on Friday 12th April 23:32

[Robmarriott]

I’m not super fit but I do alright, climbing is fine, it’s the downhill stuff which scares me these days, I’m not as bouncy as I used to be if I fall off....

I’ll take a look at the stuff around Ladybower, thanks

[popeyewhite]

JPJPJP said:

Mam Tor / Man Nick

Nothing exciting along the ridge unless you want to dodge walkers. Biking on the moors now mostly [quite rightly] banned unless that's changed this year? Some nice trails in the forests around Ladybower, as others have said.

[Crippo]

Theres so much around the Peaks. But please don’t go to Lady Cannings it’s absolutely crap.
If you like footpaths then you really open things up, most of the riding requires a bit of technical ability. I’d probably recommend Rushop edge around to Jacobs ladder...grow some balls or get off and walk. It’s not a difficult descent in all honesty, there are no nasty drops.
Otherwise you could do some of the Ladybower trails. I like Stannedge edge to Burbage bridge and White side. There re loads of trails with some great technical trails, nothing steep just thinking stuff.

[popeyewhite]

Crippo said:

I’d probably recommend Rushop edge around to Jacobs ladder...

The byway up Rushup Edge is still closed AFAIA, but the 11 mile kinder circuit is still easily doable without it.

[dodgyviper]

Macclesfield Forest will give you a bit of variety

Link below also has other suggestions for the area

https://www.bikemaps.co.uk/peak-district-mtb/maccl...

[lufbramatt]

Was going to say Macclesfield forest but thought it might be too far west. Long time since I've been there but remember having a good ride. think we went down to Three Shires Head- pretty waterfalls, bridges etc. and you can be in 3 counties at once.

[popeyewhite]

Many of the runs through the trees are closed now because of tree felling associated with last year's storms.

Edited by popeyewhite on Wednesday 17th April 13:35

[Craikeybaby]

The trails around Ladybower are good, but quite technical (I am no MTB god). I know you said Peak District, but if you want something between Monsal Trail and Ladybower Sherwood Pines could be worth a look.

[Robmarriott]

Crippo said:

Theres so much around the Peaks. But please don’t go to Lady Cannings it’s absolutely crap.

Went here in Monday after driving up. Wasn’t intending to but I got lost and ended up stumbling upon it.

It wasn’t great but it was better than the local (to me) bridleways.

Wouldn’t go back but it killed an hour or so.

Off to Sherwood Pines tomorrow as I’m in Nottingham tonight, then I might go to the lakes for a couple of days before I have to face reality and go back to work!

[Dixie]

https://strava.app.link/ij1J9HuNYV

If the link worked this is a great route. Some of the best views over the peaks and Chatsworth. If it’s not long enough you can couple it up with lady cannings as well. Park at the fox house pub.
It’s good to ride even if it’s wet.

[Dixie]

Lady Cannings is far from crap. It’s built and maintained for free by local businesses for everyone to enjoy. It makes for a nice change of pace when added to a ride.

[Craikeybaby]

I enjoyed Lady Cannings, I rode it as part of a longer route in the Peak District. I think it would be a good place to session and concentrate on improving skills.

[pauloroberto]

It’s not the Peak District but Cannock chase is great, especially “follow the dog” and the monkey trail. I did them both recently. Only 15 miles but I was more tired than 100 miles on the road!

[Robmarriott]

I think anywhere where large numbers of bikers congregate will be a hot spot for thieves though, I'm sure that stats would show the same for any bike park. I wouldn't let my bike out of my sight anywhere like that.

I've done Cannock before and it was alright, bit far for me for a day trip though, offers good variety which I like.

Anyway, I went to Lady Cannings, then did a couple of walks because everywhere I stopped and thought "that looks like a nice ride" was very clearly marked for foot traffic only (there's a good reason to plan ahead!)

Thursday I went to Sherwood Pines, which was pretty good, I'd go back. The weather was amazing and the carpark was rammed but it didn't feel busy on the trail so that's a big plus from me.

Then I went to the Lakes on Friday and pushed my bike up (almost) a mountain and biked down which was the most stupid thing I've ever done, 1h 38 on the way up because I had to stop to get my breath several times, 22 minutes down!

Good week overall, thanks for the suggestions, next time I'll plan ahead a bit more!