Ride reports for January, February and March.
Wednesday 20th January 2010: A ride from New Mill
The first ride of the new decade and thankfully most of the snow had disappeared.
This had prevented us from riding since mid-December and had caused the cancellation
of the Hayfield ride. It was still very cold as we left the church to pass through
Hagg Wood and on to Honley. We climbed up to Netherton where we took what a mis-reading
of the map led us to believe was a walled track. We were soon to be disabused. This
passed through Dean Wood – quite wide at first but after a short distance deteriorating
into single track traversing a steep hillside above a stream in a rocky defile. Still
nothing to worry about - until we came to a point where it was completely iced over.
– Are you scared or what ? So, Grayham led the way very slow-w-w-ly, conscious of
the fact that a slip here could be very serious indeed. Eventually we met the road
and passed through South Crosland to reach Meltham. The Ivy Café was quiet but the
food was good, cheap and plentiful. Replenished we took a fairly direct route back,
which apart from the short gut wrenching climb out of Meltham Mills had little of
interest, so I’ll shut up .
John Kemp
Click here to see photos of the ride and click here to download the route in GPS
Exchange Format.
Sunday 7th February 2010: A ride from Altrincham
Navigation Road station Altrincham and we were joined by new Members Keith and Alf
for a ride to Stockton Heath. We followed the Bridgewater Canal and approaching Lymm
took a wooded bridleway into the village. We continued towards Lymm Dam to meet
a lengthy flight of steps which took us up to the A56. After struggling up these
we crossed the road to enter Lymm Dam Country Park. We continued through this attractive
park which was new ground for us. On leaving the park we crossed the M6 and then
followed minor roads and bridleways to Grappenhall where we rejoined the canal for
the short distance to Stockton Heath. Here we headed for Morrisons for lunch. At
lunch we were joined by Bryan who told us that a new track had been constructed which
which would enable us to follow the Manchester Ship Canal further along to Latchford
Locks. At the locks we were able to wheel the bikes across the canal to join the
Trans Pennine Trail. We followed the T. P. Trail with its numerous gates almost
back to the start. It had been a cold grey but dry day – a very flat ride but excellent
company
John Kemp
Click here to see photos of the ride and click here to download the route in GPS
Exchange Format or click here to download the route as Memory Map Navigator Overlay
file or click here to download the route which suitable for use with Quo Mapping
Software.
Wednesday 17th January 2010: A ride from Penistone.
Is there no end to this winter weather?? Thick fog forces us to abandon our proposed
route as we head for a pre-ride coffee and toasted teacake. In the warm cafe we decide
that it is safest to follow the Trans Pennine Trail. Half an hour later than usual
we are away. It is bitterly cold, everything is covered with a thick film of rime
and visibility is very poor, but at least it is windless. Near Wortley we pass through
the lengthy tunnel and the old station to enter Wharncliffe Woods. The woods are
a serious mountain biker’s Mecca with a wealth routes of all grades – but not for
us! Leaving the Trail we rise steeply through the woods to meet a minor road where
we switch rear lights on before turning to follow a track leading down to Finkle
Street. A short steep on-road climb leads to the busy A629 where we ride the pavement
into Wortley village. Having lunched in the pleasant and friendly Countess Tea Rooms,
it is lights on again for the road dropping to the T. P. Trail. We take the normally
pretty alternative avoiding the tunnel, but in the poor visibility there is little
to see. Rejoining the Trail, we proceed rapidly to Penistone for a final coffee before
going our respective ways home. A grim day relieved by good company but at least
it got us out of the house!
John Kemp
Click here to see photos of the ride and click here to download the route in GPS
Exchange Format or click here to download the route as Memory Map Navigator Overlay
file or click here to download the route which suitable for use with Quo Mapping
Software.
Sunday 7th March 2010: Rossendale (16.8 miles)
After the worst of winters - a cloudless, still and brilliantly sunny day. Cold
- but we are used to that now! Nine riders left Waterfoot climbing through Cowpe,
Boarsgreave and then via Rooley Moor Road. Road? - a euphemism! Forty five minutes
later we have, apart from one or two stretches, ridden 2.5 miles and climbed 800
foot to the the quarries fringing Cowpe Moss and glorious panoramic views. Through
these extensive disused quarries we have to exercise care as there are still patches
of snow and much ice along the track. At Cowpe Lowe we descend Sand Beds Lane stopping
for Geoff to mend a puncture. In the lower sections the track steepens, turns to
concrete and is overlain with ice. So, the more timorous of us decide to walk. At
Edenfield we are encroaching upon Lancashire Group territory, so Brian is able to
lead us to Winfields of Haslingden for the lunch stop, where this immense outdoor
shop has an excellent cafe. Replete, we follow a track to the panopticon at Top o’
Slate. Panopticon? - this is one of four structures dotted around East Lancashire
- “21st Century landmarks, designed to attract visitors into the countryside to
enjoy the stunning landscapes” - certainly today the views are impressive. Finally
we descend past Rossendale Ski Slope to Rawtenstall and follow the old railway back.
At last Spring is almost springing.
John Kemp
Click here to see photos of the ride and click here to download the route in GPS
Exchange Format or click here to download the route as Memory Map Navigator Overlay
file or click here to download the route which suitable for use with Quo Mapping
Software.
Wednesday 17th March 2010: A ride from Hope (18.23 miles)
Leaving Woodbine Cafe we took the track through the enormous cement works to Bradwell,
and started the climb of Bradwell Edge. This starts as a tarmac lane and then changes
to a rather muddy single track. Steep? No! VERY STEEP! I had to keep both brakes
on whilst walking otherwise I would have fallen backwards! Good job there was no
one coming down. Further up the track veers left and takes a less severe upward
traverse, eventually cresting the ridge where there are extensive views. We followed
the track coming up from Brough, dropped to Abney and then up to Great Hucklow where
we had a look at the venue for the autumn meet. We had a legthy chat with and were
shown around by the caretaker - an ex top flight cyclo cross rider. It is a spacious
and well appointed place which should suit us very well. This delay meant that we
did not arrive at Tideswell until almost 2pm. Sunny and warm at last, we were able
to sit outside and lunch in comfort – can’t remember when we were last able to do
this. We were all overdressed for these unused to conditions, and this meant that
it was hard going in the strong headwind to Peak Forest. A bridleway took us along
the Limestone Way through patches of lying snow over Old Moor with a minor detour
to visit the trig point and then to a Junction of tracks near the top of Cave Dale.
Turning right we rapidly descended Dirtlow Rake and into Pindale which was so boulder
strewn that we had to walk down most of it. Then a quick dash back to Hope.
John Kemp
Click here to see photos of the ride and click here to download the route in GPS
Exchange Format or click here to download the route as Memory Map Navigator Overlay
file or click here to download the route which suitable for use with Quo Mapping
Software.
