So, I usually ride in the area midweek during winter & make the most of the long summer nights and head a bit further afield...but last night I decided to go for a local blast and it was great. I was exploring a bit and managed to link two routes I know with a short DH section I don't think I have done before.
This got me thinking...I know a fair few decent descents and trails in the area, but there must be loads more. Anyone fancy sharing some hidden gems? Doesn't have to be limited to the areas named, can go further afield or even towards Stockport centre...
I'll start with the section I found last night:
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=398710&Y=389370&A=Y&Z=120
*calderdale*
get a map
*end calderdale*
IN a more serious mode, there's loads of good riding, but I showed them to Rod who showed them to Tall Mark who showed them to the Clarion and now loads of people ride them and what was tight nadgery singletrack is opening out as it's being ridden more.
so, no, not online. Come out for a ride and I'll show you some stuff
Yeah, Calderdale is good...but I can ride round these parts straight from work/home!
I actually got most of my knowledge from Mark! Been riding the area for the last 3 or so years and haven't seen that much change, I must say, but your comment is fair enough.
Cheers for the invite...do you ride regularly?
I need a cheeky-stuff update too 🙂
Up for a short one this weekend? I might be able to escape for a couple of hours.
Got that Flux yet?
the "calderdale" mention is a reference to the usual response from that area's locals on here when anyone asks for routes in that area - i.e these are local trails for local people, there's nothing for you here.
The stuff I've seen change is mostly not even on maps - linnet clough singletrack for instance
I get out most weekends and do mean to get out once in the week but haven't done so for a while
We're looking at the flux, discussions have begun. Will be riding sunday I'd expect, unless I'm doing the mastic in the en-suite. If only I knew someone who was handy at practical things and didn't have a job who could do that kind of thing for me =, freeing me up to ride at the weekend...
er, er, er...... what's mastic? 😉
peachos - nbt, stanley and I are all locals, so get in touch with nbt (e-mail in profile). We ride around here a lot 🙂
Hey Bunnyhop,
Give us a buzz.............. I'm interested in this Flux your interested in 🙂
I'll start with the section I found last night:http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=398710&Y=389370&A=Y&Z=120
That's not really a 'hidden gem' is it? Did you mean somewhere else? That's a bridleway, across a bumpy field, full of some very fierce-looking sheep... very technical cattle grid though 😉
I suspect he meant Gird Lane, here
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=398520&Y=390192&A=Y&Z=120
That's easy, there are no sheep there... I had some really nasty looks off those sheep a month or so back. Big, ugly bruisers. I think they may be guard sheep or something. Sort of half ovine, half bull terrier.
😉
ha, you're right. that's exactly not where i meant!
here, under the trees:
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=398485&Y=390107&A=Y&Z=120
might not be a hidden gem to others, but i've never ridden it before.
nbt/bunnyhop/stanley - would like to arrange a ride with you lot sometime if you'll have me. busy this weekend, but hows about during the week next week?
very fierce-looking sheep
I don't know about fierce, but they are certainly some of the ugliest sheep I have ever seen! Not that I make a habit of checking out the relative attractiveness of sheep, and anyone who says I do is lying.
This one?
[url= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4109/5065592338_485b9613aa.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/n_b_t/5065592338/ ]Marple Pootle[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/n_b_t/ ]Notoriously Bad Typist[/url], on Flickr
Yes, nice bit of trail. Andy's riding a CX bike down it there 😯
yep that's it. think its actually a road, rather than bridleway.
technically it's a road, a landy'll be ok but i'm not driing my car down it
I don't know about fierce, but they are certainly some of the ugliest sheep I have ever seen! Not that I make a habit of checking out the relative attractiveness of sheep, and anyone who says I do is lying.
Looking through my 'Know Your Sheep' book - thanks for that Rich and Shona - I suspect that they may be Shropshires. I prefer Herdwicks. Much neater 😉
technically it's a road, a landy'll be ok but i'm not driing my car down it
Wuss, I rode my cross bike down it the other day quite happily. You just need to pick a cleaner line...
those sheep were cows last night.
so, without giving all the local secrets away, from the bottom of Grid Lane where else can i go without having to hit the tarmac over to sheepcow fields and then on to Mellor & Strines (which is where i went last night)?
Will phone you later Stanley 🙂
They are my favourite sheep, sooo pretty, cute and fluffy.I prefer Herdwicks.
Gird Lane is not even know to locals much, it's quite hidden away.
I'm a strictly non-working student; so have plenty of time off at the moment:-) Could do a ride almost anytime, although I am no local oracle- only been here a year!
Happy to ride further in the Peak too if anyone fancies it.
MMmmmmm,.... Herdwicks- Bang tidy looking sheep. Not enough around these parts, 'though I saw some in a field above Charlesworth a few weeks ago 🙂
There are some super fluffy, polar white, show sheep just somewhere near Taxal near the Goyt, hang on....
[img] 
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from the bottom of Grid Lane where else can i go
there's not a great deak reakky - greenhill is actually a valley, bu worth a walk to see what condition it's in. You could go past Lane Ends and have a scout through Etherow (or even Farmer JOhn's DH track - you can see that start ramp from the A626). Usually though we go back through Mellor Hall and thence towards Rowarth / Brookbottom
ah i was actually thinking that the start of FJs must be nearby...just spotted it on googlemaps. that would make a good addition to a ride, but a bit cheeky seeing as i haven't paid my fees for the year yet (not been for a while).
There's a beautiful herd of 'Beltex' on the land by Mellor Church and hall. Sturdy, stocky things they are.
*waves*
local too, NBT has shown me everything I know... If there is a trip out next week Tues or weds would be good......
Waves back.NBT has shown me everything I know..
Don't forget Martyn, I have shown you lots of little gems too 🙂
We've found little bits of stuff around Etherow, however it's not worth going miles round for.
I collect my new bike on Tuesday fingers crossed and I don't really do group rides but if I rode the same route as you lot at the same time, would that be alright do you think?
Also, we're out there tomorrow morning. Is Smithy Rd up to much as opposed to Grid Lane as a climb?
Tues/Weds is good here!
Oooh, if you head on Tuesday, I might even come along. Do you mean Smithy Lane? Rubbly little bit of bridleway followed by steep tarmac. Nasty on a singlespeed, ok otherwise. Unexciting, but functional, though the off road bit is okay ridden at mach ten.
Is Smithy Rd up to much as opposed to Grid Lane as a climb
We normally do a loop - through Mellor Hall and Hollywood End, down the nice descent to Smithy Lane, up Smithy Lane (which is Tarmac) then down GIrd Lane and back to Hollywood End on the road. Does that answer your question?
Wednesday next week then? Where are you coming from, Peachos? Are you likely to ride down or drive? or even take a train?
We can make it Tuesday if that's better for folks, I'm out at training on Monday night so a night off in between would be nice but not essential...
I'm talking an evening spin now, at the moment I'm getting home around 5.45 so would be about a 7pm start by the time I've had me tea 🙂
Just had evening spin....!
nice out isn't it
Don't forget Martyn, I have shown you lots of little gems too
I'll never forget your little gems...
Are we heading towards Tuesday evening then??
Tuesday's good with me, I can't make Wednesday next week, though normally it's not a problem either way, but it would be nice to catch up and debate the virtues of local sheep.
Did realise they were cows this time btw, thought the already ugly sheep had simply grown a bit larger and even less beautiful.
OK all...
Looks like Tues night is on
Peachos, where you coming from??
Monksie, I think I come past/near you.. I could follow you/ride near you at the same time.
I'm thinking we meet outside the Ring 'o bells pub @7...
No half wheeling Martyn 🙂
Ring o'Bels sounds good to me - well it would, wouldn't it, being my local and all 🙂
They've a good sized carpark if anyone's driving over, but if you park there I think it only fair we go in for a sociable beverage after the ride (they do great coffee and hot chocolate if you don't want a beer)
Duly noted 🙂
Can i come too? Not been riding around here for more than a month 🙁
if your at the ring o' bells @7 your more than welcome sambob... just don't make any of us look fat and middle aged....
Don't worry, yunki will testify I ride with the grace of a drunk hippo on stilts. In fact, so would everyone I've ever ridden with......
nbt - stop telling lies! Rod showed me the trail you mentioned everything else i've found myself over 20 years of exploring. All that knowledge is there to be shared if you come on a Clarion ride (not too late to turn to the Dark Side Peachos - like the good old days 🙂
Don't worry, yunki will testify I ride with the grace of a drunk hippo on stilts. In fact, so would everyone I've ever ridden with......
Harsh on hippos.
Fair enough.
right folks..
7 at the ring o' bells, we need to be off fairly sharpish, its getting dark at 9.30ish, and it might be an idea to bring lights if anyone is having a pint after!!
Monksie, I'll be leaving my house @ about twenty to 7 I might see you on the Marple road!!!
Oh and the weather looks mmmmmmmmmmm!
Think i'll pop across and join you all 😀 See you at 7(at the) bells
I think we're up to about 15 riders now 😯
Make that 16.
15 - far too many for me. I'll give it a miss.
See you all later.
Looks like being the best evening's weather for all of this week.
Are we all having a pint afterwards then? 🙂
sambob - Member
Make that 16.
Are you bringing someone else? You were in that headcount.
Monksie - I'm happy to do a more exclusive one-to-one session if you want
Stanley - does the pope shit in the woods?
Stanley - does the pope shit in the woods?
clearly not... but a bear is catholic...
Monksie - My butcher's wife and the lad that works in the same butcher, have both overturned their cars on Glossop road last month (in the rain). So you weren't the only one. These were 2 separate incidents (they weren't having an affair or anything, before anyone asks).
Sorry for the hijack.
I'm bringing someone else. I think BWD is bringing 2 others if you havn't counted them.
Cheers for a great ride you lot. We only lost 5 people 🙂
alkjga;afg;l, I'd forgoten all about this. 🙁
13 turned up in the end. Doesn't bode well...
Lost one after 15 minutes, bottom of the first descent. Down to twelve. I went back to look, but couldn't find him. Some local lads said that while I was looking, someone else came through also looking so...
Yep. Lost a second a few minutes later when he went looking for the first.
We were alright for a while, then we found the first one to be lost, but he hadn't found the second to be lost. The second's car was parked at the first's house, and they'd ridden over to join us, about 8 miles, with a third who was a minor. The first to be lost departed with minor in tow, bringing us down to ten.
The we had a pedal strike leading to an over the bars incident and a close encounter with a stray branch. The faller was quite lucky as the branch tried very hard to remove his eye. Bit of blood, one missing contact lens, and the beginnings of a very good popeye impression. He departed at the bottom of the descent to make a swift journey home (he made it safely, we checked). Four gone, gown to 9
The fifth and last left when we passed his house. Fair enough really!
One more faller on the last descent, I turned to shout "watch out for the wheelsized dip!" to hear "ooof" as he went down. No injuries though.
The remaining 8 made it safely back to the pub where we discussed such illuminating topics as just *why* a sightseeing narrowboat cruise would make a cruise with the blinds closed - just what are they doing on a sightseeing cruise, if they're not seeing sights? Or are the sights they're seeing not for general consumption...
I enjoyed it but for a "ride leader", I think I spent a total of about 5 minutes at the front. Must try harder.
I'm free this week if you fancy a local ride?
I wasn't lost, I was merely mislaid. I knew where I was, I just didn't know where you were...
Harsh got home fine as well, that homing chip in his left temple was money well spent.
🙂
It wasn;t you I was bothered about, you;re old enough to look after yourself 😀
It wasn;t you I was bothered about, you;re old enough to look after yourself
Not everyone would agree with that one, but yes, I do appreciate that it was an extra responsibility, I hadn't realised that Harsh had managed to lose himself too. I'd assumed he was still with you. Anyway, I note that it was mostly 'responsible adults' who managed to get lost and/or damage themselves... 😕
IN a more serious mode, there's loads of good riding, but I showed them to Rod who showed them to Tall Mark who showed them to the Clarion and now loads of people ride them and what was tight nadgery singletrack is opening out as it's being ridden more.so, no, not online. [b]Come out for a ride and I'll show you some stuff[/b]
Slightly confused? Just wondering how this is any different than what I have been doing with the Clarion?
My point was I'll happily *show* people around in the knowledge that the trails will be shared - gives people a chance to see what the trails are like, and me a chance to see if they'll be up to riding said trails - but posting locations online is a different matter.
Bloody peachos never even turned up anyway!
BTW, wasn't a personal dig at you - I have no problems at all with showing and sharing, but it needs to be personal, not over the t'interweb
damn, completely missed the rest of this thread and the organisation of the ride.
next time...!
Mark - yep, i'll join you soon mate. Still weds & 7pm? Away for a few weeks from next week, so it will be in a month or so!
Peachos - ride leaves at 7.15pm now but right on time when the church bells chime so don't be late! Same starting point car park opposite Ardern Arms.
Catch you soon.