January 2012

22-01-12 - Ladybower Loop - 14.66 Miles

What a ridiculous day for a ride around Ladybower, 40+mph winds to look forward to on the tops but despite this ten riders turned up for the day and of major interest was Phil Wardman aboard his cyclocross bike as his mountain bike was in the shop.

We set off from fairholmes and soon had the wind in our backs pushing us along the road but as soon as we turned off onto the bridleway this became a side wind. We let Phil go first as this steep section is rarely cleaned by any of us and he appeared best equipped to take on the challenge. After 50 yards though he was off peddling down the grass bank, blown of course like a migrating bird on a sea crossing.

Once up to Derwent Edge it was the usual game of dodge the peaty puddles and luckily with the wind at our backs once more easily dispatched. Once we arrived at Whinstone Lee Tor it was a different matter as the wind was whipping the dust up and sand blasting the back of the legs.

We set off on the descent to Cutthroat Bridge with Big Bird, Matt Wilde and a few others already of into the distance. We were now sheltered by the hill side and able to enjoy this section with some riders just smashing over every obstacle while others picked their way down. When we got to the turn off for the Ladybower Inn section it appeared four riders had come off on the descent, all hitting sticky puddles at vary degrees of speed. Once dusted off it was the the descent to the Inn with the bikes rattling down the rocky descent with Phil picking his line carefully.

We soon were across the reservoir and on the climb through the woods, well after we had waited for Big Bird and the leaders to return after he carried on along in the wrong direction even though equipped with sat nav. Tree felling meant the path through the woods was now covered in sand and when wet not helpful. Alan and a few others were now feeling the pain, just remember guys “Dolor est Gloria”.

When clear of the woods we were into a tough headwind and the Roman road was knee deep in water which meant peddling along the grass, a tough combination. Normally we would continue in to the descent to Rowlee Farm but Alan suggested we take a left and get out of the wind and descend a new section to us called “The Beast”. We didn’t take much convincing on this and were soon met but a boulder strewn slippy, knarly and absolutely awesome descent, unfortunately for Mat Wilde he had chosen the wrong rubber after many an hour on the facebook group discussing the subject, pinch flat. Phil Wardman became a hero on this section piloting the cross bike down with easy, as Jaimie said “Who's Danny Hart!”.

Once at the bottom safe and sound it was a tough climb once across the road with Phil trying his best but ending up walking like the rest of us. Once along to Lockerbrook Farm it was a fast and loose descent back down to the reservoir path avoiding the felled tree on the way. Everyone one had a good day I think and we even had time to do some “Skids for Kids” on the ride back to the car park. Thanks to Phil, Rich, Matt A, Matt W, Claire, Jim, Alan, Jaimie, Gaz for making today’s ride another good ATGNI ride.

Simon Richmond

15-01-12 - Hebden Bridge & Heptonstall Moor - 24.17 Miles

This ride I had been looking forward to and especially now we had a local in the group. Matt Wilde was to lead me, Big Bird, Gaz and Phil on a Hebden Bridge epic. As we rolled into Hebden Bridge though one thing was apparent, these hills were going to be steep and long.

Once we saddled up we were straight into a tough long tarmac climb which had Big Bird and Gaz pushing and cursing the ride in its first miles. Once we made it to the top we were straight into the "Blue Pig" descent that was on an old steep rocky path and was super fast and rough, perfect for a 160 bike but even Phil on his XC plastic beast was down just quicker than the fell runner!

Once at the bottom Matt suggested we take on a 20 mile loop around Hebden, perfect I thought but maybe some of the others after seeing the first hill were not so sure. We set off again on a long tarmac climb to Shackleton Moor watching the fog lift from the valley on our right. We took a left and were met with an icy techy climb that I managed half of before being past by the whippet. Shortly after we arrived at some concrete structures that you could ride onto at one side and the other a 3 foot drop onto a grassy bank. Peer pressure again saw Matt Wilde do it twice and Big Bird have a look three or four times but no, not until his Nomad arrives.

The ride continued along the Pennine Bridleway with plenty of stops to take in the stunning views over the reservoirs. This section was undulating in nature, climbs and descents followed by one long fast wide descent along the bridleway allowing us to either manual or get decent air over the drainage channels. Gaz unfortunately near the back got a pinch flat which meant Phil had to ride down to us to get an inner tube and pump for him. Me and Rich took the opportunity to have a sit in the sun out of the wind and graze on some food while the others stood in the wind fixing a puncture.

As we took a right over Worsthorne Moor the trail changed from wide stony tracks to grassy single track and rocky climbs before opening up as we approached Coal Clough Moor wind farm where we were then met with a mile or so on road before taking a right back onto bridleway and having some stunning alpine esc views over Todmorden. This bridleway was between two stone walls and hugged the ridge until we hit a gate and the start of a fantastic descent to the valley floor.

The descent started on an old paved path which saw Phil over the handlebars while going too slow posing for a picture. The descent was quick and changed onto narrow single track before the final epic down on rocky narrow single track, perfect country for a full suss 160 mountain bike and I for one was loving it. Phil on his plastic bike was still close behind even though the geometry of his bike had him perched over the front.

Once on the valley floor at the road Rich and Gaz were done, deciding to take the tow path along the canal back while me, Matt and Phil faced a steep climb to reach Stooley Pike. We set off with me at the front grinding out the tarmac section with Phil close behind. As soon as we reached the bridleway Matt informed us his knee was giving him a little concern so we decided to save the Pike for another day, instead taking the bridleway along the edge before reaching the final descent of the day into Hebden.

This descent was impressive, perhaps the best natural descent I have ever done, narrow full of boulders with only one line and several drop off’s Matt led out with me following and Phil taking his time clipped in on the plastic bike. Matt stopped under a small bridge and I'm glad he did, out of sight at the other end was a sharp left with a good drop down onto more boulders, this would of caught me unawares. We continued on down bouncing letting the bike pick its way with a smile from ear to ear. On reaching the bottom I grabbed the camera to get a shot of Phil but I was too late, even on his lightweight plastic XC bike, clipped in perched over the front with no pads he was already down, impressive to say the least.

The final mile back to the car gave us chance to reflect on the trails around Hebden Bridge and they are certainly epic, alpine in nature with a bit of everything thrown in, steep climbs, grassy, rocky and boulder strewn descents. A day where the smile never faded for me and definitely an area to revisit, a natural mountain biking mecca hidden in the depths of Yorkshire, with just a smidge Lancashire.

Simon Richmond

10-01-12 - Rosedale - 25.56 Miles

Another moors epic this time in better weather, 3 degrees but beautiful sunshine all day. Mark Steel had offered to guide us on a route of Rosedale so not one to turn down the opportunity of an easier day I said yes. Paul turned up at Marks with his bike in the same muddy state as it was at the end of last weeks ride.

We saddled up in the cold just waiting for the sun to break the horizon and set off on a nice gentle tarmac warm up. We were soon out into the wilderness taking a lower but more technical route through a small boulder field. Mark cleaned this section but he has ridden this route several times before.

It was not long until we caught sight of Chimney Bank and the horrendous 1 in 3 tarmac climb. Paul being a whippet and riding his plastic bike set off up the hill as if it was flat, me and Mark selected low range and began the grind to the top. Heart's, lungs and eyes bursting as we went. I gave up first around three quarters of the way up, more than pleased with my effort and Mark soon stopped to walk with me. Paul was taking the piss coming back down to see us before turning and peddling uphill again. The views from then top were worth the climb.

Now we had an easy run along the old railway line though now we were on the tops the wind was quite strong. We could see a good few downhills that would need further exploration in the summer. We soon arrived at a tough techy climb up to the main road, I knew I would not make it so got the camera ready for some action. Paul tried and failed eating some heather, Mark also had a go but failed. After a quick bite to eat Mark had another go and after sweating and making a fair amount of noise made it to the top.

After this we were soon on a quick descent back to the railway ling before looping around the valley and being faced with an awesome short descent that was narrow and involved a few steps. Me and Mark were soon down and waiting for Paul but he did not quite like the look of it preferring to push. Soon Mark was taking this on as an ascent and more noise, blood and sweat he cleaned it and then it was time for the peer pressure, if Mark could do it Paul could. He had a go after lots of encouragement but did not quite make it, but now he was at the top more peer pressure to ride down and he did, mission accomplished.

We followed the fast single track a bit further before taking a left and climbing up to the road, climb I meant walk far too boggy. The next section across Rosedale Moor we were going to avoid as only rideable in the height of summer, but after pushing to the top of the hill to see a long fast descent we decided to plod on, it must get firmer and dryer. It wasn’t long until we all had thick sandy clay jamming all wheels and the bikes had easily doubled in weight. Soon a mirage appeared on the horizon, a nice big puddle, big enough to clean all the mud off and get the wheels moving again, now all we have to do is drag them there, a task in itself.

Once out of this section and appreciating how good it would be on a summers day we continued on, at one point we had to pass a section of heather being burned which meant I got a nice shot of Paul appearing through the smoke and fire. The final few miles through Cropton Forest were also a bit wet and muddy but adding to the technical element and also testing a riders fitness to the max. The final ride to the car was a chance to get some more of the days mud off the bikes on tarmac. An excellent ride that tested fitness and skill to the max but on a nice summers day would be a different beast altogether. One to do again and thanks to Mark for showing us some new single track.

Simon Richmond

04-01-12 - Square Corner - Boltby - 23.18 Miles

Our first ride of the year and what an epic moors ride, some enjoyed the ride and others hated the hills, mud, ascents and length. I'm sure I told folks it was 20 miles but their you go.

The ride started from Square Corner and took in the Cleveland Way before joining the Boltby loop, as usual we took a little diversion to make the descent longer but this left us with another immense climb back onto the tops. A plus was we found a nice slippy off camber narrow track that will be used again on another ride as a descent.

Another highlight was the peddle through the field of cows, not only cows but a bull hidden in the herd protecting his ladies kept the cranks turning. Just as we approached the cow shed we ended up axle deep in muddy, wet, cow slurry that had everyone’s bikes and toe ends covered in a nice green slime.

The ride became gentle until we hit Dialstone Farm where clay, and mud turned everyone’s bikes in a Surly Pugsley, 4 inch tyres and eventually several wheels grinded to a stop under the pressure of mud. The views along this section were as stunning as ever but not all the kids appreciated it.

The descent through the woods to Boltby had everyone sliding about in the mud and had Mark Steel giggling like a girl behind me and Johnny using all his downhill tricks to clean the section as efficiently as possible. Paul was thinking of walking down the final 50 meters but peer pressure saw him back on the bike.

By this point in the ride the distance, wind and hills were beginning to take there toll and Homer seemed to be loosing his sense of humour rapidly, was this to be the first teddy to go this year?

The final downhill section to the car was super fast and loose before becoming smooth with drainage channels to hit and get air along the way. Thankfully for me Jim had stopped to open a gate for me otherwise in the fading light their may of been a man size dent in it.

We made it back before dark which pleased Paul as he was worried we were not going to make it. Overall I really enjoyed the peddle but think it went from love for me to hate for Homer with everyone else somewhere in between. Be warned though the next moors ride is already planned and its longer with more hills, only the brave need apply.

Simon Richmond