Leeds to Manchester route

[speedoid]

Hi All,

Came across this forum when searching for a route to cycle from Leeds to Manchester.

I have a hybrid and a road bike and dont mind which one I use so open to all route suggestions. I want to cycle direct and do it as quickly as possible.

I've found an old thread in 2008 where a user Calum suggested the following;

1. I'll take the A62 from leeds to Huddersfield. Then i'll briefly use the A616, before turning right, onto the B6108.

2. I'll follow the B6108 to Meltham, then got straight on at the cross roads, up Wessenden Head Road.

3. At the top of the climb, i'll meet the A635, which everyone seems pretty keen on, and turn right, to finish the climb and enjoy the big decent!

4. Continue along the A635, to Manchester Piccadilly station, and jump on the train back to Leeds.

Does anybody have any suggestions or ideas about the route? Any help would be appreciated.Thanks

 

[classic33]

Have fun! at junction 27.

 

[ColinJ]

And from Meltham in step (2) - it's an unrelenting 8.5% climb for 2 miles!

If you want an honest opinion - I think it is a horribly built-up and busy route! There is so much fantastic cycling in this area that I can't imagine why anybody would choose those roads instead. Still, Calum chose them and I know him and he isn't mad, just used to traffic I suppose ...

I can see the appeal of a ride and the train back, but there are much nicer routes such as Leeds, Bramhope, Otley Chevin, Menston, Bingley, Harden, Cullingworth, Manywells Height, Sawood, Oxenhope, Hebden Bridge, train back to Leeds. (That's about 35 miles from the centre of Leeds, depending on the precise route that you follow.)

 

[speedoid]

Thanks for taking the time to get back to me.

The climb from Meltham looks a lot flatter on Google maps

The other routes you mention sound fantastic but this is a trip I have to make to Manchester (..and i'm coming back the next day). I could get the train but fancied the challenge of cycling there and back!

I just wanted the most direct route suitable on 2 wheels.

Do you know if Calum actually cycled the route he suggested? I cant see how to PM him from here???

 

[classic33]

What about the A62 out of Leeds, coming off it just before J27. Left onto Wakefield Road & then onto the A643, rejoining the A62 & continuing onto Huddersfield.
I'm slightly biased here I've used the A58, to Halifax, down through Hebden Bridge & approached Manchester via the North East.
Whatever way you go, you're looking at at least three decent climbs.

 

[speedoid]

Thanks Classic33 that's a good idea knocking out J27. I've not been up there for a while but just assumed there would be some sort of cycle path to negotiate it.

 

[classic33]

Old program for route finding used. For your perusal.

 

[ColinJ]

The climb from Meltham looks a lot flatter on Google maps

If you double-check on Bing Maps, there is an option of selecting OS maps so you can see the contours!

The other routes you mention sound fantastic but this is a trip I have to make to Manchester (..and i'm coming back the next day). I could get the train but fancied the challenge of cycling there and back!

I just wanted the most direct route suitable on 2 wheels.

Oh, fair enough - I wouldn't choose that route for pleasure but it makes sense if you need to go anyway!

Do you know if Calum actually cycled the route he suggested? I cant see how to PM him from here???

You need to make a certain number of posts before you can send PMs - I think it might be 10 posts? Just make a few more posts and you will automatically be given the right. On CycleChat, PMs are called 'conversations' and you will be able to start one by clicking on the avatar of the person you want to write to. There is an option in the box that pops up.

Calum doesn't check in to CycleChat as often as he used to but I could always text him tomorrow (it's a bit late now) and ask him to drop in to this thread if you haven't been able to get hold of him.

 

[Cyclist33]

The one time I tried to do this I gave up at Huddersfield but anyway, I went from Leeds to Putney, then through countryside to Cleckheaton, then across to Huddersfield. It was a nice ride, if tiring!

 

[Cyclist33]

Er, make that Pudsey!

 

[speedoid]

Thanks again for all your comments. I'm determined to make it and will let you know how I went on

 

[ColinJ]

Thanks again for all your comments. I'm determined to make it and will let you know how I went on

I just sent a text to Calum so he might make a guest appearance here later!

 

[DCLane]

The A62 Leeds to Huddersfield can be quite busy; it passes across one of the Sustrans greenways, which can then be used to get through to Huddersfield.

 

[ComedyPilot]

Bikehike.co.uk

 

[classic33]

The one time I tried to do this I gave up at Huddersfield but anyway, I went from Leeds to Putney, then through countryside to Cleckheaton, then across to Huddersfield. It was a nice ride, if tiring!

Could you post that route on here. Interesting reading at the least!