Peak District The Skinny Location: Peak District, UK Elevation (max): 500m Trails: Big terrain with windswept bridleways, eroded moorland paths, rocks, rocks and more rocks Lifts: In your dreams Thread code: Old skool outdoorsy. Gore-tex, waterproof socks and all things rugged and windproof Why For classic, good old-fashioned mountain biking the Peaks are hard to beat. There's no lifts, the tracks are - until recently at least - fashioned by the harsh conditions and the erosion caused by the many thousands of walkers, horses, MTBs, enduro bikes and 4x4s that use them and the views are as dramatic as you'll find anywhere in the UK. A world away from the purpose-built trails in Wales and Scotland, the Peaks offers a different challenge and one that should be tested if you count 'rugged' among your personal strengths. The terrain tends to the rocky side, varying from big slabs to loose pebbles with everything between. Forget faggoty narrow treads and wimpy lightweight components; the ideal Peaks bike takes a leaf out of the locals and squares up tough and straight to the point. A mile in the Peaks counts as three elsewhere and if you've not ridden there before you'll find it taxing whether you're heading up or down. The reward is fantastic views and a real sense of achievement, all rounded off by some of the best cafes and cake shops in the country What Regular Peaks riders all have their favourite little spots and a bit of local knowledge goes a long way so hook up with people who know their way around if possible. Failing that head for the centre of the region, namely Castleton, Edale or Ladybower Reservoir. Connecting these hotspots are several classic routes with many others radiating out into the surrounding area from them. The classic Edale/Hayfield loop taking in Jacob's Ladder, Kinder Reservoir, Hayfield and Rushup Edge is one of the great XC rides in the country and can be tackled in either direction - everybody has their own opinion as to which is better. Sadly one of the classic sections of the route, the descent into and climb out of Roych Clough, is in the process of being sanitised for its inclusion as part of the Pennine Bridleway project. At the time of writing the track is still closed, effectively breaking the loop, but it's due to open again in the Autumn of 2003 - see Bikemagic.com or singletrackworld.com for updates. A good map is essential, Ordnance Survey Outdoor Leisure 1 (Dark Peak Area) being the best, and even a Peaks virgin should be able to cobble together a good route without too much difficulty. Hagg Farm to the southwest of Ladybower Reservoir is a classic descent in the finest rocky Peaks style - just make sure you draw lots as to which poor sap has to get the gate halfway down. The Cut Gate bridleway from Ladybower to Langsett is another classic and works surprisingly well as a there-and-back; more technical than your average Peaks path it's a boulder-strewn adventure across bleak moorland that tests bottle and balance. Other favourites include the Shooting Cabins bridleway from the northwest corner of Kinder Reservoir down to the A624 Glossop road and the run down from Whinstone Lee Tor on the southeast corner of Ladybower Reservoir to the A57 Snake Pass. Both are high-speed slaloms through heather, sandy ruts and ditches, spiced up with plenty of boulders and side order of loose pebbles. If you like your challenges slippery and rocky the infamous Cavedale descent into Castleton is a proper test of bottle and commitment. Starting smooth and grassy Cavedale gets steadily steeper, rockier and narrower as it plunges down to Peveril Castle. The boulder-strewn floor of the gorge is a real test of mettle whether you thug it through on a full-sus or finesse it on a hardtail - just be aware that it gets very busy with walkers. Feel chuffed if you clean it without a dab... When Die-hard Peaks riders will point out that, due to the predominantly rocky terrain, the Peaks can be ridden at any time of the year, even the depths of winter. This is true up to a point but make sure you've got the right clothing and plenty of spares if you're going out in anything but blazing summer sunshine. The Peaks is proper outdoors and, like a true boy scout, it pays to be prepared for any eventuality. Stunning early morning mists and low sunshine make late summer and early autumn one of the best times to go in terms of spectacular vistas. Catch it quick before the winter greyness sets in and you could be in for a treat. Equally, frosty rides in the middle of winter with frozen ground and low winter sun can be magical but be prepared for general greyness and biting cold on the tops as the more likely scenario. Facilities Bike shops are non-existent in the Peaks itself, only the bike hire centre at the Ladybower Reservoir visitor centre offering very basic spares and service with a sneer. Manchester and Sheffield have plenty of good shops that'll stock anything you'd need but the nearest decent shop to the riding itself is High Peak Cycles in Glossop (01457 861535, www.highpeakcycles.co.uk) although they're not open on Sundays. Bike shops might be few and far between but the Peaks more than makes up for it with the huge numbers of cafes, tea shops and food stops where you can top up the fuel tanks for the next big climb. Edale station cafŽ is an established favourite as long as you obey the many rules plastered around and take the Mrs Miggins style service in the vein it's intended. The aforementioned visitor centre at Ladybower Reservoir is a favourite mid-ride pitstop and the perfect place to strut your stuff if you've got a pimpy ride. Just make sure you get some mud on it before you arrive for max credibility. Hope, Castleton and Hayfield also have great tearooms offering huge mugs of tea and various toasted niceties to keep those legs going. How Equidistant twixt the M1 and M6 the Peak District is easy to get to wherever you're coming from. For Ladybower and Edale most people head into the area on the A57 Snake Pass (a great driving road if you catch it when it's quiet!). Weekends get busy with most of the carparks around Ladybower filling up quickly. You'll usually find somewhere though and the further away you are from the Sunday strollers and tourists the better. Edale station and Mam Tor carparks are other popular start points and tend to be a bit quieter. Alternatively get a train from Manchester or Sheffield into the heart of the Peaks and avoid car-related stress. The trains are less bike friendly than they used to be but it's still a quick, simple alternative if you want to leave the car behind. The line runs straight through the middle of the best of the riding and alighting at Edale, Hope or Bamford will get you straight out onto the hills. Call 08457 484950 or see www.nationalrail.co.uk/planmyjourney for details. KNOWHERETORIDE VERDICT If you want to keep it real and don't mind putting in the legwork the Peaks is old-fashioned UK mountain biking at its rugged best. A world away from the resort riding in the Alps or Canada, the charm lies in the natural feel and stunning views. GOOD Views, old-skool appeal, burly terrain NOT SO GOOD Hard work, not that technical in a conventional sense IDEAL RIG A burly hardtail or medium travel full-susser with plenty of mud clearance and simple, tough componentry. Whatever you ride it's got to be light enough to pedal up the hills and tough enough to deal with the rocky terrain. Big tyres are a must! YOU'LL LOVE IT IF... You want to get back to your roots. Or you just wanna keep it real, old skool XC style