Well folks, it's nearly time for another of our kinda-monthly Hebden Bridge to Waddington forum rides!
As promised on the last one, this time we will take advantage of the (hopefully!) improving weather conditions and ride out to Spring Wood, Whalley the scenic way 'over the tops' via Widdop, Fence and Sabden. We will come back by the same valley roads as the first two Waddington rides of 2011.
Here's
the route on Bikely.
Total distance will be 57 miles. We'll have a quick stop at Spring Wood picnic centre after 21 miles for bladder-emptying & bottle-filling; hopefully, completely separate activities!
There will be a good cafe stop at Country Kitchen, Waddington after 28.5 miles.
We'll do the usual scenic Old Roman Road to Read to avoid the nasty Devil's Elbow on the A671. I might go and check out the Padiham Greenway which potentially gives us a nicer route through the village (town?), otherwise the route will be exactly as shown on the Bikely map.
It's not a ride for beginners, but we will be riding slowly and we will wait for the slowest rider. Potsy and I are usually competing for the title of
Lanterne Rouge, but my all means ...
Come and have ago if you think you're slow enough!
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). It's a long stay pay-and-display car park and is only about 30p/hour. NB - parking wardens regularly patrol here and issue £70 fines so make sure you pay to at least 16:30! If you are really tight and/or skint (
), you can usually find a free spot to park on the A646 on the Halifax side of Hebden Bridge near the road to Hebden Bridge station.
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 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!
Riding:
- ColinJ
- bromptonfb
- potsy
- Pennine-Paul
- Steve H
- Svendo (will catch us up if he's late setting off)
Who else is up for it?
