I’ve ridden the ‘Bowderdale’ route a couple of times but both times it’s been on a fine day after weeks of fine weather. I have it in my head that it’s a route that’s not good riding after rain. Obviously most routes are better dry than wet but some routes are worse than others after rain to the point to being best avoided.

Is Bowderdale one of them?

And how much rain has it had over the last week? (S Manchester has had loads inc. most of last night)

I’ve never ridden there, but walked up there. I’d guess it gets very wet and boggy after rain. I was supposed to be there this wed evening, but put it off, weather being one of the factors. Maybe next week…

Mud fest in the lower reaches mate.

Best take the cheeky ridge top path to the west IMO.

dave, what’s that ridge path like? Just looking on geograph and it looks quite grassy (boggy?)

dave, what’s that ridge path like? Just looking on geograph and it looks quite grassy (boggy?

Not particularly grassy and the odd boggy patch, but it’ll always be drier than the BW.

Ta – think we’re going to leave it ’til we’ve had a few days of dry weather and go somewhere a bit more weather-proof.

Done it twice. Biblically wet on one occasion, pretty wet the other. The route rode well but would like to try it in the dry!

Some of those stream crossings could be a bit on the hairy side, sure you want to risk it?

Ah – just found this

*Ponders sunday ride*