[Closed] Mary Towneley Loop – Lap times for the averagely fit?

6 hours I reckon, give or take 30 mins. Very much dependent on conditions though. Avoid like the plague if it's windy, and if wet on the ground and muddy, add an hour or two for the inevitable mechanicals.

Oh and don't start at Waterfoot. Doing Rooley Moor as the last climb with 70k in the legs is an exercise in masochism that I wouldn't recommend. Start at Wardle, go clockwise.

Was hoping to do this when a tad drier, i've set aside 6 hours including a nice lunch.

Clockwise or anticlockwise the most fun?

Was toying with the idea of a dusk to dawn lap in June.

I did the challenge last year (7th sept)and very hard 6500ft of climbing, took me 6 hrs and yes the climb over rooley moor the last bit was a real test!!! but it is a fantastic ride both down and up!

😥
laps?

I'll come with you 🙂

laps?

what's up?

Couple fo mates of mine did it last year, well except they didnt.

They chose a really bad day when the weather was horrendous.

One bike got eaten by the mix of water/sand/mud. Eventually the other mate got fed up and stopped.

terrahawk - Member
laps?
what's up?"

man or mouse i guess

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Last time me and mrs did the challenge together it was 6 hours - and that was 2 months after she had a baby.... I'd imagine a bit quicker now 🙂

Could we do it over a weekend with pub stops?

A sensible time?

Allow 8 hours start to finish (not some Garmin/Strava 'moving time') including pit stops, one puncture and gate opening if solo.

YMMV.

Cheers
Paul

I've only ever done the MTL anti-clockwise which to me makes more sense: short steep uphills with long steady downhills. OK, there are one or two steep uphills going A/C but not many. Any reason that I should look at going clockwise?

Anti clockwise is faster but you do have the hill up to Cragg Quarry that way. Id also allow at least 8hrs door to door plus add a bit for less than ideal conditions. Doing it on the challenge days is not the same as doing it unsupported.

How well sign posted is the route? I've wanted to do this route for a long time, what put me off was the thought of having to stop for regular map checks.

8 cold wet winter hours when i did it. from hebbers.
dragged a couple of the sweary northerners round for company.
we vowed never to did it again.

Anybody up for a group ride round this? Really fancy it but the gates and navigation put me off and my
Mates are all summertime only fairies

Signposting is very good. I had a map and had done a bit of research on the route. The map wasn't used on the day(s).

May's (Aladdin's Cave) Farm Shop is a great pit stop. A few 100m off route (on road). All the fuel and spring water that you will need (probably closed at night!).

binners - Member
Could we do it over a weekend with pub stops?

have you seen the film Downhill? corker! be ace to do a bike version..

only one or two places you need to be alert to avoid going the wrong way. One at Summit (where the 'main' PBW joins and heads south towards Holligworth Lake) and another right turn off a road...can't remember where that is. Somewhere in Calderdale.

anyway. stay alert!

and another right turn off a road...can't remember where that is. Somewhere in Calderdale.

[url= http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?x=396445&y=427540&z=120&sv=396445,427540&st=4&ar=y&mapp=map.srf&searchp=ids.srf&dn=817&ax=396445&ay=427540&lm=0 ]That'll be here?[/url]

Last time I did it there were no signs here I think.

Oh interested in doign this as well this summer so keep me in the loop [ see what i did there]

Not binners piss up masquerading as a bike ride the one that is somewhere between that and what terrahawk can do.

that's the one. there is a sign, but it's on the junction rather than before it.
the worst that can happen is that you'd end up in Hebden (no big deal really). Get the Summit one wrong though and you could end up in Oldham....

if it's a night ride I'm more than happy to help guide a group round at a friendly pace.

I have been keen to do this for a while so a group ride would be great!

I'd be happy to have a go - day or night, although battery issues would have to be sorted out - or i'd have to ride a lot faster!

Anyone who rides the area regularly, how is the loop at the moment? Bog fest?

Have been told it's best avoided until it's had few weeks of dry weather.

I'm up for it too. Day or night, as long as it's not raining.

I'll pop along for an overnighter.

Is it odd that I like the climb over RM-Road?

I'd be up for a night loop if you don't mind a stranger. Will the pub feature at any stage?

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How about a Friday evening in mid summer? Get away at about 7:00 - 8:00pm so we get a few hours of daylight and minimise the burn time on the batteries. All done before 3:00am then back to our dull old lives on Saturday taking the kids to their swimming lessons etc.

6hours sounds right, add people and the time will increase (unless one of you actually knows the route - lots of map checks for me)

we vowed never to did it again.

<edit>Liking the sound of that Harry, third time's a charm 🙂

Is it odd that I like the climb over RM-Road?

Yes. Very odd. Last time I did the MTL was on the challenge in September and it was like a cloud hanging over everyone. One bloke who didn't know it asked when he would know he was on it, everyone in the group laughed and said 'you'll know!'. A little later I think I heard him swearing a lot 🙂

Good plan Harry. Are there any pubs open at 3am?

Good plan Harry. Are there any pubs open at 3am?

I was thinking of driving home or having a few hours sleep in the S-Max, a cheeky wee up the wheel then head off in time for breakfast.

Anyone who rides the area regularly, how is the loop at the moment? Bog fest?

I've ridden most of the bits round Calderdale in the last few weeks and it's actually not too bad. Obviously a bit gloopy in parts but a lot of it is hardpack or stone packhorse trail so it stands up pretty well to the wet.

head off in time for breakfast.

Funny, I was also toying with the idea of a dusk til dawn ride this summer, this could be it.

How about a Friday evening in mid summer? Get away at about 7:00 - 8:00pm so we get a few hours of daylight and minimise the burn time on the batteries. All done before 3:00am then back to our dull old lives on Saturday taking the kids to their swimming lessons etc.

I am all over this plan, awesome. 😀

shall we talk dates now ? only cos my other half slams our diary all the time so I need to book it well in advance

Friday June the 5th ?

12th is the only one that Jason can do.

Oh g'wan then that sounds like an awsomes plan. Can we time it so that when we get back, the sun is just coming up, that would make it awsomer.

12th June works for me...

12th is in the diary.

So Jason's going to do it the night before heading to Bristol for the 12 hour race to dominate the race there? I like it? 🙂

Let's hold off on the date for a moment. There are emails burning up the ether!