MTB Derbyshire: Exploring Near Matlock

Описание: The weather forecast looked grim on this weekend. Cold, wet and very windy. Seeing a window early Saturday, until about 11am, I headed out early and quite local. Seeing other people's socials showed I called it right. My hat goes off to all those who went out the day after .....

This ride takes in the area north west of Matlock and some of the woods around there. It was a bit of an explore, plotting something that looked like it might throw up some good stuff. In total it came in just over 13 miles and over 1,400 ft of elevation. Sorry no Strava/GPX on this one.

I have ridden some sections before, in fact some can be seen in the recent visit to Ashover with Nick (5 rims MTB). However I wanted to explore in the woods as I thought there was some features to look at. I found some great stuff and though I barely made an attempt it was very well made and I can see how it could flow well. After coming away from it and looking back I can't help but feel I should have had a better effort, no doubt you think something similar :). My excuses are a bit poor....I was riding solo and am not a natural jumper, but really, I need to raise my game here.

I do have a personal theory on this....I think I have a desire to keep going in true XC fashion. The aim is to complete the circuit, taking as little time as possible, fastest time wins right? Call me utterly weird but it doesn't feel right to just hang about in a small wood sessioning one track if you're on your own. Different if there is a few of you and you're having a laugh but I was el solo. Any how.....I definitely should have another go, to maybe regain a little self respect :)

The last part is the reverse of a section from an earlier ride that I noted at the time with a statement like, "this should be a decent descent". It was pretty good but the greasy conditions made it a little slower than it has the potential for. It was very much threading through the trees avoiding bar strike!

One section of trail didn't make the cut. Not because it was a pile of stuff (it was actually really cool, challenging, narrow and twisty) but because my GoPro sound went really weird, basically muffled and just couldn't include it. Another reason to return!