Just a reminder about this ride and I've pinched a copy of the details from the previous time we rode it ...
We will ride out over the tops via Widdop and descend through Brierfield, then climb to Fence. We will ride along the hilltop to Padiham Heights, descend to Sabden then climb over the Nick o'Pendle.
It's a fast descent from the Nick so watch out! There is a cattle grid to cross and sometimes sheep wander across the road. ALSO - we will be turning left for Pendleton about 2/3 of the way down so don't shoot past the turn and descend all the way to the A59! Let me go first and I'll stand at the junction.
... Pendleton, Wiswell, over the A59, then turn back under it to come into Whalley from a different direction to normal. After that we'll ride out through Mitton as usual.
For more variety, I'd like us to carry straight on where we normally turn right for Bashall Town. We'll climb up through Bashall Eaves, then loop back through Kitchens and past Colthurst Hall to join the B6478 just above Waddington for a quick plunge down to our cafe stop at the Country Kitchen cafe.
The return trip will be via the Old Roman road to Padiham then we'll take the Padiham Greenway to Rose Grove for a quick run home on the A646.
It's 104 km, or 64.6 miles for you old imperialists! It's quite a 'lumpy' route on the way out, much less so on the way back. Some of those lumps are very steep indeed (20+%), but you can always walk those if you prefer to. I'll be going up them at a slow walking pace anyway!
Nobody will be left behind, but you should be confident that you can tackle a hilly ride of this distance. It will be slow, slow, slow. Don't come along and complain about it being slow. IT WILL BE SLOW! (We won't be riding quickly ...
)
We'll be aiming to set off at
10:00 so let's meet at Market Place car park, Hebden Bridge, at
09:45 (
Map showing car park) on Sunday, 18th September.
The centre of Hebden Bridge is now pedestrianised and there is a one-way system. To get to the car park turn right up Commercial Street as you come into HB from the Halifax direction, second left after about 100 yards by the White Lion. Follow that road round over the river. The car park is then on your right.
If you are coming from the Todmorden direction, turn left down Old Gate (one way street) at the end of Market Street, just after the closed-down pub on your left. Follow the road round past the Hole in t'Wall. The car park is straight ahead on the right (not the first little one, the bigger one further on).
If anybody decides to turn up announced (it has happened before) make sure that you get to Market Place car park by 09:45 because we won't be hanging about once all those officially riding have gathered!
I reckon we will get back at between 17:00 and 18:00. (Told you it would be slow!)
Route map on Bikely.
Rider List:
- ColinJ
- potsy
- Alun
- SlowerThanASluggishSloth
- oldfatfool
Any decision yet from these 3 'possibles'?
... And is anybody else interested in joining us?
My right knee was feeling a bit sore yesterday after a windy 105 mile ride on Sunday, but I think it will be okay by the weekend.
I've had attempted 'left hooks' before near left side roads, but that was a first in over 25 years of riding. The look on the face of the driver waiting to join the roundabout from that left junction said it all - total shock and relief that I'd braked in time! I pointed my finger at my temple and rotated said digit in a circle, while slowly rolling my eyes. Hey, hey, HEY - let's be careful out there!)
Happy birthday when it comes!
