The Great Cyclechat Jersey Relay - Discussion

[Chris James]

By the way Bonj, this is Holme Moss. There is a bit of exaggeration going on in the description though.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holme_Moss

Reading it again, maybe the summit is one and a half hours from me, not one!

 

[bonj2]

well i'm crap at making decisions.

longers you organise something


Chris: home moss sounds horrendous btw...

 

[longers]

I'll try to come up with some sort of plan, (I'm crap too ). Winnats Pass is close to Ladybower but weren't you and Postman going offroad?

You really should try Holme Moss Bonj, the description makes it sound worse than it is, probably .
The snowy photo on Wiki looks just like when Dan Bo and I did it earlier in the year. Twas great .

 

[bonj2]

I'll try to come up with some sort of plan, (I'm crap too ). Winnats Pass is close to Ladybower but weren't you and Postman going offroad?

well, we're going to ride round ladybower I think... it is a road, but it's only tarmac on the middle bit north of the road but south of fairholmes. I haven't decided whether it's doable on my road bike yet. Probably isn't, just. But I think it's possible to ride all the way from sheffield to ladybower off road (or almost) via stanage, I don't know the exact route yet but am going to find out so that should be a nice bit of an explore and a nice ride when I've sussed it.

You really should try Holme Moss Bonj, the description makes it sound worse than it is, probably .
The snowy photo on Wiki looks just like when Dan Bo and I did it earlier in the year. Twas great .

Hmmm..., sounds a good challenge in itself - short and sharp and infamous, but a bit out of the way for me. I'm not sure exactly where it is but from Chris' description it sounds way north, and only gettable-to and back from by the woodhead pass, which is a bit barren for cycling on.

 

[Chris James]

Bonj, it is doable from Sheffield. But quite a long day. Out on either Woodhead or (harder) towards Ladybower and then north across Strines.

Either way you end up at the Flouch roundabout. Straight across to Victoria then Holmfirth. Holme Moss is at the end of the road along the Holme valley towards Glossop.

Over Holme Moss, very short section on the Woodhead before turning off to Glossop along Longendale. Then turn left in Glossop and over the Snake Pass backk to Sheffield.

A similar route from my house is about 65 miles.

 

[longers]

Or stick your bike in your van and meet us at Holmfirth and then up and over and then back round Chris' route to Glossop via the Devils Elbow and then over Mottram Moor and along to Saddleworth and up and over the Isle of Skye to Holmfirth.
About 45 miles ish?

 

[bonj2]

isleof skye? as in, inverness-shire?

 

[Chris James]

Or stick your bike in your van and meet us at Holmfirth and then up and over and then back round Chris' route to Glossop via the Devils Elbow and then over Mottram Moor and along to Saddleworth and up and over the Isle of Skye to Holmfirth.
About 45 miles ish?

Bonj, the Isle of Skye is the name for the road that runs between the Chew Valley (Greenfield) and Holmfirth. The name comes from a pub that used to be on that road.

I am never quite sure where Saddleworth is! It just seems to be a collection of villages (Delph, Uppermill, Greenfield) rather than a specific village. Very confusing. Plus it is the name of the moor too.


So longers, what's the devil's elbow? I have never linked Holme Moss and the Isle of Skye as I was unsure of the roads on the Manc side and didn't fancy just trundling down the main road to Stalybridge.

 

[Will1985]

Loving the report tdr1nka! I'm looking forward to it hitting East Anglia or the East Midlands at some point. Meanwhile, I'll have to content myself with the Norwich 100 and Dunwich Dynamo parties!

 

[tdr1nka]

Loving the report tdr1nka! I'm looking forward to it hitting East Anglia or the East Midlands at some point. Meanwhile, I'll have to content myself with the Norwich 100 and Dunwich Dynamo parties!

Many thanks Will! I must try to get to Norfolk to say hello sometime this summer although sadly I don't think I can make the proposed arty elephant ride.

 

[longers]

Great report Tdrinka

Chris, Saddleworth just means the area as you say - villages and moor. Which way would you come back from the Isle of Skye then normally?

The roads linking it with Holme Moss are ok, better if you stay on the Woodhead as little as possible. The Devils Elbow is where the road bends sharply near the top on the Woodhead Road (not the Pass). Tiring that hill is after Holme Moss! You can then turn right through Royston Vasey and then you have to join the main road up to Stalybridge from there. It's ok actually. There's usually a stationary line of traffic on the left up the hill. The road through Mossley isn't too bad. Good views as you get further along it.

 

[Chris James]

Chris, Saddleworth just means the area as you say - villages and moor. Which way would you come back from the Isle of Skye then normally?
.

I would normally work my way over to the Marsden - Oldham road, or possibly Buckstones and then descend down through Delph, and turn up the Isle of Skye road from Greenfield to Holmfirth.

I have never cycled it the other way! It seems much steeper on the Greenfield side but there is a great long and steady downhill into Holmfirth to make up for it. Plus I like the views of the crags on the Chew valley (a family favourite for walks and climbs).

Strines Moor that I described before is a bit hard work for me when I have alreayd got Holme Moss and the Snake in my legs. Especially the 1 in 4 section, so alternative routes are good.

 

[longers]

The views over Dovestones are good aren't they? I'm taking the dog camping up on the Indians Head next month (just for a night - walk there and walk back).

 

[postman]

The relay handover justs gets better.LONDON your report is Brilliant.And i agree meeting up with the other Chatters is something i will cherish for a long time.We had the pleasure of spending time with Uncle Phil.It was a superb day out.I am getting to like this Fudge cake and latte lark.Thanks Arch.Have met a very strange cyclist in York.Photos and small write up soon.Look out Bonj we are coming for another fab day out.Really looking forward to meeting you.Anyone thinking about riding.Just find a little time you will enjoy it.

 

[Milo]

I am not going to able to pick the jersey up from gezza as Im going to London when hes coming up the m4.
I have asked simonali if he can do it.
Or maybe I can pick it up in London who has it?