Snake Pass closed to vehicles June 1-14

[nickyboy]

Quick update.....

I went to have a look this morning as the Snake is just a couple of minutes from home.

The road just after the Royal Oak pub (which is where the climb proper starts) is completely coned off with a chap there turning cars around who haven't seen the diversion signs. He confirmed that the Snake is open to cyclists

There are no roadworks on the West side (ie from Glossop to the summit). There are several roadworks down the East side to Ladybower reservoir. They are all, apparently, passable although one may require a quick dismount for a couple of metres as the road surface may have been dug up.

So now's your chance to do a great climb on, effectively, closed roads. From Glossop side it's about 3 miles 6-8%. Other way is much longer, about 7 miles rolling and gently climbing, then about half a mile of 8% near the top

 

[Gatters]

might ride it next Sunday weather permitting,

 

[ColinJ]

Quick update.....

I went to have a look this morning as the Snake is just a couple of minutes from home.

The road just after the Royal Oak pub (which is where the climb proper starts) is completely coned off with a chap there turning cars around who haven't seen the diversion signs. He confirmed that the Snake is open to cyclists

There are no roadworks on the West side (ie from Glossop to the summit). There are several roadworks down the East side to Ladybower reservoir. They are all, apparently, passable although one may require a quick dismount for a couple of metres as the road surface may have been dug up.

So now's your chance to do a great climb on, effectively, closed roads. From Glossop side it's about 3 miles 6-8%. Other way is much longer, about 7 miles rolling and gently climbing, then about half a mile of 8% near the top

I just worked out a loop taking in Holme Moss in both directions and up and down Snake Pass from the Glossop side. The distance would be 142 km and there would be 3,300 metres of tough Pennine climbing. I reckon that would take me about 9-10 hours. Er, should I, shouldn't I ...?

 

[nickyboy]

I just worked out a loop taking in Holme Moss in both directions and up and down Snake Pass from the Glossop side. The distance would be 142 km and there would be 3,300 metres of tough Pennine climbing. I reckon that would take me about 9-10 hours. Er, should I, shouldn't I ...?

View attachment 90491

I'd sneak around the side of Holme Moss and come via Dunford Bridge. If you do that and cut the corner at Winscar Reservoir it will cut out a lot of climbing. Otherwise get the train to Glossop, ride up it and then get the train home would be my advice

 

[Donger]

Quick update.....

I went to have a look this morning as the Snake is just a couple of minutes from home.

The road just after the Royal Oak pub (which is where the climb proper starts) is completely coned off with a chap there turning cars around who haven't seen the diversion signs. He confirmed that the Snake is open to cyclists

There are no roadworks on the West side (ie from Glossop to the summit). There are several roadworks down the East side to Ladybower reservoir. They are all, apparently, passable although one may require a quick dismount for a couple of metres as the road surface may have been dug up.

So now's your chance to do a great climb on, effectively, closed roads. From Glossop side it's about 3 miles 6-8%. Other way is much longer, about 7 miles rolling and gently climbing, then about half a mile of 8% near the top

What a brilliant use of this forum, @nickyboy. .... and thanks for the advice you've been supplying via "conversations". I'm driving up on Wednesday to ride the Snake late morning/lunchtime, and will take in the Derwent Reservoirs and (if there is time) some of the Hope Valley too.Always nice to try some other parts of the country, and a closed A road is way better than an open one.

 

[nickyboy]

What a brilliant use of this forum, @nickyboy. .... and thanks for the advice you've been supplying via "conversations". I'm driving up on Wednesday to ride the Snake late morning/lunchtime, and will take in the Derwent Reservoirs and (if there is time) some of the Hope Valley too.Always nice to try some other parts of the country, and a closed A road is way better than an open one.

I consider myself very fortunate to live in a beautiful area for cycling so am delighted to be able to share it with others.

Re Hope Valley. The main road in the Hope Valley through Hope village and Castleton isn't particularly nice. It is quite busy too. If time I would definitely turn off in Hope village and take the Edale road. This is much quieter and more picturesque. To loop round requires a very hard climb though so maybe just pootle along and turn round when it suits

 

[Bazzer]

Cheers for the heads up. This has been on my to do list since my eldest was at Sheffield Uni and I travelled it all too often by car.
Roll on Friday or Sunday depending upon when SWMBO wants me out of the house.

 

[ColinJ]

I'd sneak around the side of Holme Moss and come via Dunford Bridge. If you do that and cut the corner at Winscar Reservoir it will cut out a lot of climbing. Otherwise get the train to Glossop, ride up it and then get the train home would be my advice

I'm not sure that it would save much climbing because I would have to drop down from Digley Reservoir to Holmbridge and then climb back up again.

Having said that, I do like the road round to Dunford Bridge. Descending Woodhead is ok because I can pretty much keep up with the traffic, I just hate climbing up there slowly with the traffic flying past.

I want to climb Holme Moss from the Woodhead side because I have never done it before so maybe I will go out via Dunford Bridge and back over Holme Moss?

 

[ColinJ]

Hmm ... surprisingly, going via Dunford Bridge by the route I would take is not only further but involves MORE climbing! (Profiles plotted to same scale.)

 

[nickyboy]

Hmm ... surprisingly, going via Dunford Bridge by the route I would take is not only further but involves MORE climbing! (Profiles plotted to same scale.)

View attachment 90504

Looks like it's over Holme Moss both ways. The only alternative is through Uppermill which is much flatter but then you've got quite a busy road from Stalybridge to Glossop.

 

[ColinJ]

Looks like it's over Holme Moss both ways. The only alternative is through Uppermill which is much flatter but then you've got quite a busy road from Stalybridge to Glossop.

I don't fancy busy roads so it would be the double Moss, single Snake sandwich!

If I feel up to it, I'll give it a go later in the week once the weather has settled down! I'd set off shortly after the school run to give myself plenty of daylight hours to get there and back.

 

[Donger]

Rode it today. Plenty of "Road Closed" signs and lines of cones, but absolutely nothing to stop you getting through, or even slow you down much. Saw several road crews carrying out various tasks .... replacing a manhole, patching some tarmac, repairing the edge of the road, cutting away overhanging trees etc ... but apart from one set of traffic lights on the eastern side of the pass (in the woods) there's nothing to stop you from having fun. Fantastic to have an A road to yourself. Only the sounds of bubbling streams, lambs bleating and birdsong. Brilliant! Thanks again @nickyboy.
p.s. For anyone else not from the area, and planning to arrive by car, there is plenty of street parking around the end of Hurst Road, which is right opposite the Asian restaurant that used to be the Royal Oak (as seen on Google Earth), right at the bottom of the climb in Glossop.

 

[ColinJ]

I've managed to nibble my route down to 139 km and could well be doing it tomorrow. I reserve the right to turn round at Woodhead though and go home without doing the Snake if I think it would be too much for me with the Holme Moss double plus the other hills!

If I do ride it, a report will appear in 'Your Ride Today' but probably not tomorrow because I will be too knackered.

Ah it is gone midnight ... I mean later today!

 

[nickyboy]

Did Glossop - Ladybower Reservoir - some climb round the back of Hathersage and then back over the Snake.

I've never seen so many cyclists, even on a nice summer Sunday. There is a set of roadworks just East of the Snake Pass Inn but other than that, nothing to hold you up. Beware that there are a few contractor vehicles moving on the road so you still need watch out for traffic. Having said that, the descent to Glossop was great because you can take the full racing line on some corners

Might do it again tomorrow

 

[BRounsley]

Hi Nick

I’m planning to do this on Saturday morning (using my to and from Manchester routes I already have).
This time with sun screen!!!

Can you see any major issues with it? I know some of the roads are little lanes so the surface may be a bit naff.

http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=yilgtukwkhorudab

Brian