Anyone ridden the Kinder Loop yet (besides Richpips)? It’s recommended as a counter-clockwise ride for horses, but any thoughts on which way is best for mountain bikers?
I kind of prefer it anti-clockwise so you head over towards Rushup from Hayfield over the Roych, then get a longer descent over Cut Gate down to Langsett with a shorter, but steeper climb, but it’s good both ways. I can’t remember which way the official route suggests around the Flouch end of things – Langsett – but you can cut across on a bridleway from there to the Trans Pennine Way section on the disused railway line to Dunford Bridge then up the road to cross the Woodhead and onto the Longdendale Trail. Don’t ride up the Woodhead if you can help it, a thoroughly nasty bit of road would be my advice.
I’ve never seen a horse on Cut Gate and only rarely on the Roych for that matter. We did a vague variation on cross bikes at the weekend going anti-clockwise – 50 miles – and it’s riding really well at the moment. Just a nice, gentle, mellow day out.