[Closed] Mary Townley Loop

[url= http://www.idonohoe.com/mary_map_580.htm ]clicky for map[/url]

it's pretty well signposted too

Here some [url= http://www.lancashiregroup.southlakesgroup.org.uk/2009photogallery/photos-1st-april.html ]photos [/url] of the Lancashire Group of the Rough-Stuff Fellowship doing it on Wednesday and Thursday.

Thanks guys, looks like it'd be fun for me to attempt.

Oh and which way round would would recommend?

I would recommend riding it with a couple of 'others' too Trio, as some of the sections are [i]heavily[/i] gated, particularly the section between Holme Chapel and Rawtenstall so it just keeps things ticking over a little smoother. I rode it a couple of summers ago anti-clockwise, and it felt OK. We stopped concentrating around Todmorden area and got a little lost, even though it was well-signposted, so having a print-out of the map is very handy, or else a marked up OS map.

Should be no problem for someone of your calibre though 😉

I have a laminated/waterproof version of the route ...they send it free if you ask on the website I think.
You can borrow / have this for reference
Not fit enough to even consider yet....maybee next year
surely you will use a bike with gears for this?and in one day

keep an eye on the weather for a few days before you do it - parts of it can be horribly depressing when it's really muddy and churned up by horses

I'd say clockwise. There's a couple of proper ace descents going that way.

Gears, no I was planning on singlespeeding and riding from home. Just trying to work out how long that will be.

Heard about the gates Gavin, someone was explaining to me last week on my course that I need two days to do it and definetly should go in a group, I tried to explain that I had rode 74miles round the peaks but I don't think she understood.

Well, I guess if you are going to ride it solo (why does that surprise me!), at least you 'll get plenty of gate-opening practice - that section I mentioned feels like its got a gate every 200m at one point, just relentless, which is why I said that it is better to ride it with a few other folk (if possible), as you can 'leap-frog' them.

Anyway, its an easy ride, so don't worry about it for a second. There are no horror climbs, its well signposted, and very well-maintained (well, it was when I rode it), so its a good day out!

I wasn't worried Garvin, I'll just bring lights in case it takes me all day and night! I'm sure it can't be harder than some of my other adventures?

i am also tempted now whilst it is long at 48 miles it claims it is only 4000 ft of climbing so cant be that hard relatively.
might do it once there has been a long spell of good weather

junkyard: i just had a go plotting the route in twinkly dave's link in memory map - came out at only 43 miles but 7350ft of vertical. that's much more than your figure... should i be afraid?

which webiste do i need to request my laminated map from? might have a chance to do it over easter since i'm up north, is all, and i'm keen after HONCing last weekend.

Just trying to work out how long that will be.

Depends where home is? For the actual trail allow at least 6 to 8 hours unless you are very fit.

i am also tempted now whilst it is long at 48 miles it claims it is only 4000 ft of climbing so cant be that hard relatively.

Junkyard believe me it is very hard relatively no matter what they claim the climbing to be. It also depends a lot on where you start from if you do it clockwise from the school as the Mary Townley challenge does then the route up Rooly Moor is a really energy sapping leg cramping climb 😥

anybody else keen for a ride on easter sunday maybe - plans still on the drawing board only atm.

or will it be solid with foot traffic on a bank holiday?

junkyard - YHM

not got message yet but the actual site claims that as the distance (believable) but i though the ascent could not be right but got exceited anyway
[url= http://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/penninebridleway/text.asp?PageId=2 ]this page[/url]

Got it form a phone number on the site

(phone 0300 060 1842); by email - pbw.info@naturalengland.org.uk

they post it out to you ...was free when I got it not sure about now though

Do it clockwise is best, though it is fun either way but better when you are new to it. Plenty of food and water can be a good idea as there are a few gaps depending were you start from. It's a good day out though not on the list of best in the uk it's still a must do. Have fun.

Home is Bolton, trying to decide on starting in Rochdale or Waterfoot, thinking Rochdale as gets the rooley moor climb over first, that seems to be the biggest. I know I can get up it though as have done twice recently.

Wouls have been up for Easter Sunday but think I will be down in Wales for the day now.

I prefer clockwise as you get the Gorple Road as a descent, Airtime Central 🙂

I've done it twice. I'm not the fittest and managed it in about eight hours both times going clockwise.

Take plenty of fluid and high energy food.

I have done the MTL a few times now its a good day out almost all off road, we (LCC) do it as a guided ride each year in June so if anyone wants to have a go but not solo let me know. We get a ranger and a 4x4 to shadow the group and run anyone who is finding it too hard or has a mechanical or falls off etc back to the car park. We normally set off from Clowbridge adds a couple of extra miles to bring it up to 50.

Rossendale Mountain rescue did it as a challenge ride to raise funds last september I think they are doing it again this year again another opportunity to do the loop as part of a group with support.

If you do it solo or even as a small group worth considering stashing some water partway round 3l never seems quite enough.

I think I have a few maps under my desk if anyone needs one.

You'll do it in about 6-7 hours I reckon. I like the idea of riding from Bolton and then doing it and riding back. Give me a shout if you want to arrange a ride.

ooh, and if it's wet it can be a complete nightmare in places. Proper bog territory.

I'll let you know when I decide to do it samuri, I think I'll wait till there has been a few dry days - do they exist?

You'll be lucky!
It's ok doing it on SS, you will have a few pushes - notably at Summit - but that apart nowt particularly worrying. I did it in just over 5 hours on my SS but I was trying a bit! Good luck with the weather and keep an eye on the signs as other bridleway signs off the route can be confusing.
Mr S.

One other option is to make a weekend of the ride and stay at the manikholes youth hostel. Use the hostel as the midway point so you will get approx 24 miles per day unless you start from bolton then it makes it even better in the milage stakes. Plus you get to go on the piss for a night at the pub which is about five mins walk down a track 😀

I did it in just over 5 hours on my SS

I would like to see you do it in that time at the moment. 😛 😛 😛

Like [b]footstomper[/b] we used to make a weeekend ride of it: from Ramsbottom up to Rooley Moor to join the MTL, then depart the MTL near Hebden Bridge and head up to Haworth YHA via Stairs Lane. The next day we'd ride back and do the other half, makes a top weekend at about 35 miles each day.

But then I'd have to carry clothes or something, I think it'll be a nice challenge as a day ride!

But then I'd have to carry clothes or something

Well I did this ride today, clockwise so will have to try it the other way as well.

Write up [url= http://trio25.blogspot.com/2009/05/mary-townley-loop.html ]here[/url]

Really enjoyed it and only one or two walks were needed!

you certainly picked the right day for it!

it's amazing how pubs can eat time whenever you stop at them isn't it 😉

Nice one Amy.