Peak District

This is our closest technical riding, and as such we’ve got a bit obsessive with recording it all. We’re still arguing how best to present our results to the rest of the world (currently it’s a map covered in highlighter and stickers…) so for the meantime we’ll present pout best bits. We’ve pretty much ridden most of the central areas now, so if it’s not mentioned here it’s probably rubbish. So, our top descents are:
1. Chapel Gate (SK099829 to 113843)– the mainline is massive loose blocks, but the sneak line is no walk in the park. Further down, even the sneak liners are forced onto the mainline, but there are some curious ribbons of tarmac that form skinnies above the loose stuff, if you can stay on them!
2. Stanage from the top (SK 239844) all the way down past the Plantation (SK238836). You think once you’ve gone past the edge it’ll get dull, but the big rocks just keep coming. And not loose like most Peak descents.
3. From Hope Cross (SK150876) on the Roman Road, towards Ladybower (SK164881). Bit loose, some careful line selection required.
4. Jacob’s Ladder (SK081861 to 088862), steep start, then gets loose.
5. Descent from the top Jacob’s Ladder (Edale Cross (SK077861) all the way to Kinder Reservoir (SK054878)
6. Cavedale (SK137814 to 150827), eases you in gently before it gets really steep and loose!
7. Descent of Bradwell Edge (SK 183810 to 178807). Proper narrow singletrack to keep you on your toes.
8. Descent from Cut Gate (SK186961) to towards Ladybower (SK1709954). Really just the last minute suddenly gets some drop-offs, and an alpine hairpin!
9. From SK167904, to Derwent Reservoir (SK167910), like (2) but easier.
10. From Derwent Edge (SK198885) to Ladybower (SK187884). Four sections of different character (ruts, grass, cobbles) but the section in the middle is the most worthwhile
11. Bottom part of descent from Hollins Cross (SK137845) towards Castleton (SK141842). Dull at the top, but a short section of drop offs at the bottom makes it all worthwhile.
12. Descent into Rowarth (SK 014888) from SK019885– again, bit loose, but a few drop offs to keep you on your toes.

And our top bits of singletrack are:
1. Beneath Derwent Edge (SK197874 to 198884)
2. Across the top of Cut Gate – always better in the gravity assisted direction (SK186961 to 194975)
3. Wormhill Hill (SK129747 to 123745)

There’s one ascent worth mentioning too. The old road from Castleton (SK135835) up Mam Tor (SK132833). It got destroyed by so many landslides that they gave up rebuilding it, and it’s now just a restricted byway. Effectively this means it’s a car free, tarmacked climb (with occasional interest over the landslid bits). It’s also fascinating to see nature’s power, and it has a nice view too.

The best pub-campsite combination is Hardhurst Farm (SK185829) and the Travellers Rest, just to the East of Hope. The campsite is cheap and relaxed. The pub doesn’t quite seem traditional enough, but does actually have everything you might need (real ale, good food, radiators) and despite some well dressed clientele, seems to take grubby climbers and bikers in its stride. Always stays open late, and will let you set up a tab so you can just order food and rinks and worry about paying at the end of the night. We have also been tempted to the Three Stags Heads in Wardley Mires (SK181856), possibly one of last truly traditional pubs in the country (don’t ask for a lager!) which also has a campsite next door. Unfortunately, it also catches all the wind, so really is summer only.
There’s a huge range of cafés – our favourites are in Hope (SK171855), the Outside café in Hathersage (SK233816) (and Calver (SK239758)) and the truck stop at Wardley Mires (SK181856).