Classic Settle loop or Gisburn forest?

Probably Gisburn then. The settle loop is nice but a bit dull in terms of tech or so single track riding. It's more wide open roof of the world type stuff. 

Gisburn is worth doing I would say. 

It's peak moor riding at the mo though, have you tried Denton moor in the other side of the wharfdale? Will maybe be dry enough to go up to Beamsley Beacon.  

Yes i went to Denton Moor today and it was just great! 

Depends what sort of riding you want.

For big views and pedalling xc/gravel the dales is great, but for technical interest and singletrack you're better off heading a bit south (eg. Calderdale, north Bradford)

Stainburn is worth a look also.

Gisburn is decent too tho

Stainburn is worth a look also.

You can ride to Stainburn from Ilkley pretty much all offroad too via Timble / Fewston. There's also a mini mtb skills loop in Beectoft plantation on the way.

Or head over Ilkley Moor to Baildon Moor (lots of great trails but does need some local knowledge) or the Bingley Bash

I would choose Gisburn over Settle, but I wouldn’t travel to either if visiting the Ilkley area as neither are exactly near

Posted by: FunkyDunc

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I would choose Gisburn over Settle, but I wouldn’t travel to either if visiting the Ilkley area as neither are exactly near

This. I've not ridden Gisburn for years but apart from 2 sections, remember the whole thing being underwhelming...

The stuff in the Calder Valley is great. If you want a "classic" ride then Hebden > Gorple > Hurstwood > Long Causeway > Whirlaw Stones > Eastwood > Mankinholes > London Road > techy descent like Birthday X to finish would be good. Alternatively there are just as good rides at the eastern end of the valley but far less well known around Brighouse/Elland/Sowerby Bridge/Copley and the villages toward the M62.

@DaveyBoyWonder I'd be interested in any tips you have for the stuff around Elland etc.

It's a few years since I tried, but when I've gone exploring around there previously I've found it a bit frustrating. Struggled to find stuff that was anywhere near as good as further up the valley.

It does have the geography that suggests it should be brilliant though, and its also a nice short drive or train ride away for me - so I'd be v. Interested in any tips you can share!

I'd be looking for stuff of technical interest (rocky tech, berms, steel stuff, flowing stuff etc)

Settle loop is lovely for a quick ride with views out my front door (or as a part of a much larger ride), but I don't really think I'd travel for it.

If you want epic, make a bigger loop over to Littondale or Hawes or wherever else takes your fancy.

Anybody got a nice route for Denton Moor, not ridden here despite being less than an hour away!

I’ve ridden Gisburn a few times over the winter. It’s nothing special and I’m not sure it’s worth the drive (1hr+) for me, but it was rideable during the bad weather. Hamsterley isn’t much further time wise for me and I much prefer it. 
I always struggle with Stainburn to get some flow, probably need to spend some more time there.

Ilkley moor is fab however 😍 

Posted by: el_boufador

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@DaveyBoyWonder I'd be interested in any tips you have for the stuff around Elland etc.

It's a few years since I tried, but when I've gone exploring around there previously I've found it a bit frustrating. Struggled to find stuff that was anywhere near as good as further up the valley.

It does have the geography that suggests it should be brilliant though, and its also a nice short drive or train ride away for me - so I'd be v. Interested in any tips you can share!

I'd be looking for stuff of technical interest (rocky tech, berms, steel stuff, flowing stuff etc)

I'll be honest, its been nearly 5 years now since I moved away and not been back as often as I should have done (might go this weekend!). Plenty of locals on here who'll tell you where the current good stuff is as it was constantly changing through Covid with new stuff popping up all the time but some rough pointers:

- Rastrick Woods had some good stuff (fast & flowing through to death tech steep) heading down to the railway crossing to the nature reserve at the bottom.

- Elland Woods directly opposite - as you come into the woods from Southowram, go straight up the embankment and stay right and stick to the top of the woods - all sorts of great descents down but my fave was always along the top and a little bench cut trail steadily climbed up to the right a fair way along (can't miss it) which led to a few nice little switchbacks, straight over the main top trail and starts a great descent down more steep switchbacks to the main path through the wood from where you could go straight over and continue down to the park opposite the Colliers Arms.

- North Dean Woods in Copley. Literally a case of getting to the top and exploring. The section from the top of the farm track slog up through the woods from Copley towards West Vale held some great bits of trail but there was a lot going on within the section from the top of the farm track through to Norland Moor when I left.

Norland Moor always nice for a pedal around (as you're at the trig point there are a couple of short but nice little descents back down the moor - one in the middle and one on the far side (the right as you're looking down) in the trees. Fair few BWs around too that are good.

@mugboo of this parish is a good place to start

Ilkley Moor is mega right now, some brilliant stuff to ride there. Last time I was at Gisburn (around xmas) I found it alright but would be in no rush to get back tbh

As said loads of stuff round my way (calderdale) was riding north dean/mink farm/razzy and elland yesterday and they were all running great 👍  Local knowledge is needed to find lots of it though!

Happy to show you around, especially if we can do a Monday or Wednesday daytime.

That said, this end of the valley benefits from a dry spell if you want to ride the steep bits.

All depends what you want but I personally really like Gisburn and it's riding well atm with pretty much all trails open. The Settle loop is the other end of the scale, an un-taxing ride for the most part with some lovely scenery.

The Scar House loop from Lofthouse is worth a look too, similar to Settle, or Stainburn via the trails out of Swinley Reservoir. Very much depends what you want.

Thank you all. Ilkley Moor is great but i feel bad riding there with all those no cycling signs everywhere. 

https://www.bradford.gov.uk/environment/countryside-and-rights-of-way/access-on-ilkley-moor/

Cycling is allowed on the Bradford Council owned bit of the moor. 

As for Settle Loop vs Gisburn, I'd always do some version of the Settle Loop at this time of year. Nice to see big skies after being cooped up all winter. 

Anybody got a nice route for Denton Moor, not ridden here despite being less than an hour away!

Fantastic riding and some bits of great single-track you can include all the timble woods area too. Just get a 1:25k OS map and its all mostly marked as bridleways, footpaths and permitted ways (or whatever it's called marked by lines of green circles). i think some of the best single track is marked as faint black dotted lines, unofficial footpaths or something.

Settle is shockingly dry for the time of year BTW. But probably everywhere is.

Ilkley Moor is great but i feel bad riding there with all those no cycling signs everywhere. 

That'll be Burley Moor rather than Ilkley Moor.

And I feel no remorse whatsoever, personally...