Hebden Bridge - hilly 42 miler, Sat 20th Nov

[ColinJ]

Okay then, since nobody turned out for last weekend's ride, let's try again!   

This one is a bit shorter at 67 km (41.7 miles). Hopefully, that should give us time for a decent cafe stop and still get round in daylight, but bring lights just in case. I reckon there is about 1,500 m of climbing (5,000 ft) with the usual mix of hills from short and very steep to long drags and everything in between!

One cafe stop after 48 km (30 miles) so carry enough food and drink to get you that far. (I reckon it will take us about 3.5 hours to get there)

Route: Hebden Bridge, Widdop, Thursden, Haggate, Brierfield (a quick downhill through the built-up area), Fence, Newchurch-in-Pendle, Roughlee, Blacko, Colne Edge, Blue Bell, Laneshaw Bridge, Scar Top Moor Lodge (cafe stop), Stanbury, Haworth, Penistone Hill, Oxenhope, Cock Hill, Hebden Bridge.

The route on Bikely

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! 

Aim to set off at 10:00.

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!  

Please form an orderly queue here...

 

[Calum]

I'll be there for sure. Can't wait to finally do some cycling again!

 

[Calum]

Oh yeah, I don't have any lights... and being a student, I can't really afford to buy some either! So if we're slowed down by punctures and it's getting late, i'll have to find a shortcut, or ride like the wind to get back before 4!

 

[potsy]

Good luck for Saturday,at least it sounds like you'll have a bit of company this time

You don't happen to know how much climbing we did from Rochdale to Blackpool do you? Rough guess would do.
Trying to gauge some of these rides in relation to what I've done before.

 

[ColinJ]

Oh yeah, I don't have any lights... and being a student, I can't really afford to buy some either! So if we're slowed down by punctures and it's getting late, i'll have to find a shortcut, or ride like the wind to get back before 4!

Ho ho - our route is the shortcut! By the time we get to the cafe stop, the official route is the shortest route back (give or take a few hundred metres).

We can see how much time we have when we get to the cafe. We should be okay, but if there have been delays, perhaps we'd have to settle for a shorter stop e.g. cakes rather than cooked meals. As long as we leave the cafe by 14:30 we should be okay unless somebody then gets a puncture on the last leg of the ride.

Good luck for Saturday,at least it sounds like you'll have a bit of company this time

You don't happen to know how much climbing we did from Rochdale to Blackpool do you? Rough guess would do.
Trying to gauge some of these rides in relation to what I've done before.

I can only speak for the bit I did which was between Rochdale station and Blackpool station. That was about 500 metres of climbing (1,700 ft). You probably did more like 800-1,000 metres.

Why don't you come along on Saturday and see what 1,500 m (5.000 ft) feels like! The distance wouldn't be a problem for you and we won't be riding quickly, probably only averaging about 9 mph when moving. 

 

[potsy]

Cheers for that Colin.
Don't think I'll be able to make this one but am determined to do a lot more of these rides next year.
Fitness is not the best at the minute,and need to work on that over winter,have felt drained on my normal commuting rides lately,not helped by the weight I am putting on.
Should have lost a stone or 2 this year after doing 3k+ miles but am eating far too much,probably only 4 or 5lbs lighter than start of year

 

[Steve H]

Not quite ready to tackle this amount of climbing, but I'm determined to keep riding over the winter so that I'll be up for joining you guys for a ride when the Spring comes round!

Enjoy the day!

 

[oakroyd]

No can do, i'm in Nottinghamshire running through a load of mud, so called fun apparently!

 

[andy1]

Great route Colin your rides get better and better.

 

[ColinJ]

Not quite ready to tackle this amount of climbing, but I'm determined to keep riding over the winter so that I'll be up for joining you guys for a ride when the Spring comes round!

Why don't you try and get ready for Spring Into The Dales on 17th April? You've got 6 months to build up to that and it's well worth the effort.

No can do, i'm in Nottinghamshire running through a load of mud, so called fun apparently!

Hmm, mud! I'm not keen on mud myself, but I don't mind watching other people rolling about in it... 

Sorry, I got distracted by a particular mental image, what was the subject again?   

Great route Colin your rides get better and better.

You'll have to stop injuring your legs with that hill-running malarkey and come and join us for one! 

 

[ColinJ]

PaulB - it's THIS SATURDAY in case you fancy joining us! 

 

[Calum]

Come on folks! The history of just me and Colin doing these rides isn't good, last time I ended up walking to the nearest train station in 26 degree heat! (No danger of that this saturday though)

 

[ColinJ]

Come on folks! The history of just me and Colin doing these rides isn't good, last time I ended up walking to the nearest train station in 26 degree heat! (No danger of that this saturday though)

Oh yes - you still owe me a spare tube! 

 

[Hicky]

If it was sunday I could present a case the her indoors but sat I have the kids football so not a chance I'd be linched!

 

[Alun]

I can't make it again I'm afraid Colin, MTBing in Gisburn Forest.

Have a good one, I hope a few turn up this time.

I'll hope to make "Spring into the Dales", I'll start training for it immediately!