The tower trilogy concludes (unless we do Darwen next week, but then it would be a four part trilogy) with Holcombe Hill.
According to Wikipedia
[i]The memorial tower to Sir Robert Peel high above Ramsbottom was planned and erected at the same time as Bury was preparing its statue to the then recently deceased statesman who was born in Bury.
The tower occupies a prominent position on Harcles Hill [1] (known locally as "Holcombe Hill" [2] due to its location next to Holcombe village) 1100 feet (335 m) above sea level. The monument is believed to have been designed by members of the memorial committee who included the local textile entrepreneur and philanthropist, William Grant. Grant was said to have been responsible for the site which was in a direct line from his own house, Nuttall Hall, and St Andrew's church.
A public subscription provided the £1,000 needed to build the tower. The stone for the tower was obtained from the hillside. The Peel Tower was opened in September 1852.
Peel tower differs from Rivington Tower as it is a proper tower and not a stumpy little affair funded as a vanity project by a bat-shit crazy industrialist, and is nothing like the horrific obelisk of Stoodley Pike (Todmorden) that was built by Sauron’s orc army with the express intention of letting those living in its shadow know exactly who the boss was.[/i]
Hare & Hounds, Holcombe Brook BL0 9RY
8:15
Bring beer money
I am VERY disappointed to discover that's not what Wikipedia actually says about Rivi tower and Stoodley Pike. Please edit the page now 🙂
I'll do my best to get there.
I'll be there.
Want a lift Binners?
Its my turn to drive, isn't it?
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Rivington.
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Stoodley.
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Nice selfie Binners
Hmmm. I'm normally at training on Monday evening but since I'll be attending Marsdenman's funeral this coming Monday, I'll be having a commiseratory pint afterwards so won't be fit to drive. If I can persuade Mrs NBT to drive we might join you for this.
Sadly my wife has to attend a work thing on Monday night so I'm likely to miss this 😐
'at training' nbt?
Isn't that just riding your bike? 😉
Monday nights is volleyball training, I play local league 🙂
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Hmm Mrs is up for the weekend and staying till Tuesday
Is it going to be similar (or indeed, the same) as the last Holcombe hill ride?
If she doesn't have to do the high price of failure, tech fest from the wall it might be a goer 🙂
Don't know the route but there are plenty of less lethal ways down the hill. I'm not sure that I'd want to do either it in daylight.
That made no sense. 😕
[correction]I'm not sure that I'd want to do either in daylight. [/correction]
FFS
[correction correction]I'm not sure that I'd want to do it either in daylight. [/correction correction]
It's not that bad. There are 3 ways down the front. 2 are varying degrees of buttock-clenching, hang-off-the-back-close-your-eyes-and-pray. The other is roll-able. They all end up in the same place, so it's up to everyone who fancies what. I can't see that provoking much willy waving, can you? 😉
I hope you lot appreciate the sacrifices I make for you. I've just had to go out on the bike is this bloody awful weather to reccie a route for Monday. I think you'll approve. I've kept it so there's only the one rocks-like-babeez-yeds, the price of failure is death, tech-fest, where there's a rollable alternative for those that don't fancy showing off how awesomez their skillz are. The trails are bone dry and fast. Bliss!
All I'd say is that it's bang on two hours. And that's me on my own, so only a limited amount of faffage/falling off/fixing make up etc. so we need to set off bang on 8.15. It has been noted that the 'ride' bit, has been eating into the 'pub' bit. Brothers and sisters: they are the ying to the others yang. An almost spiritual balance who's unity delivers us karmic equilibrium. And also some of us aren't driving this week and fancy a few pints 😀
See you Monday comrades
All I'd say is that it's bang on two hours. And that's me on my own,
So, 1hr 25 tops for the rest of you* 🙂
*As I won't be there to keep binners company
Sssssssh.... I'm banking on someone getting me a beer in when I turn up half an hour later 😀
Just had a look on Starva and it is indeed a pip and a dandy.
So much for bone dry. It's now hammering it down.
It'll be reet! If it's wet, then I'll bung Bucky Woods in for Harry. Wet roots? Great fun! 😀
Just dampening the dust.
I'll be there
I'll be coming 🙂
I've been up since 5am so might fall asleep on the ride. (and then have to be up at 5am tomorrow too)
:mutter mutter:
Can't make it.....
Good stuff Jon. Don't be afraid if people sniff you as you arrive. Its just curiosity. We don't often get out of town visitors 😀
how fast do you guys ride?
I've spent most of this year running and then only doing downhill days on the bike.
I'll be in a white Skoda with green bike on the roof.
I wouldn't worry about pace. The diplomatic word is 'social' pace. Some people may refer to that as 'slow'. Finely-honed, hyper-fit race whippets we are not. Well... Terrahawk is, but we try to be tolerant of that
Monday Night Pub Ride rules say no-one gets dropped. Not even me. If you're used to riding downhill, then get your Strava on tonight for the rocky run down the front of the tower. Its 'challenging'
Weather forecast looks... erm... 'lively' for later
Sounds like it's going to be a good evening!
🙂
EDIT: just checked bbc weather.....ah! rain. Good job I've not really brought much in the way of anything waterproof.
To be honest I'm lucky I've got my bike! There's bound to be something I've forgotten...
It'll be too warm for waterproofs Shirley?
I think I'd just rather wear something light weight and accept my soaking, than try and delay the inevitable.
I'll be there too.
Eighyteight do you need a lift? Drop me a mail (in profile) with your address and phone no if you do.
Dazh - thanks, that's much appreciated. You've got mail.
With the climbs involved tonight, if you go for waterproofs you'll be sweating like Vanessa Feltz at a Slimming World Weigh-in.
Can't make it. Injury 🙁
Sweaty Vanessa Feltz!!
Now there's a sight........
Urgh. Pass the mind bleach.
It looks like it will be warm and wet. Bring on the innuendo.
Hmmm sat on couch thinking I could make this, can you handle two out of towners?
How steeps the climbs? Only got the 1x10 29er & tired legs 🙄
All out of towners welcome. We're not doing the unremitting brutality of the Rake, so you should be safe. Theres a section of one climb thats pretty steep, but you'll be reet. Its social pace. No race whippets tearing off ahead. Some of us have been known to get off and push. I know, I know... shocking stuff 😉
I'll meet you in the car park then 🙂
Look out for a car with a blue cotic Solaris on the back!
After yesterday's BBQ I'm not exactly farting with confidence.
Will have a test flight before making a decision.
If I don't show it is for your benefit.
All is clear! On my way.
I'm at a hare and hounds pub....don't know if it's the right one...
Is it in a dip by some traffic lights?
If so - you are
Edit: is it this one?
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Yep, it was that one. 🙂
Top ride chaps, good to meet you all.
Sorry to miss the pint after..
Another top do!
http://app.strava.com/activities/165961697
Next week... back to the hallowed turf. Prestwich.
Bloody great run! And I've even managed to ride some new stuff tonight. Despite it being behind my house. And we got away with it before the proper deluge started. Nice to listen to it hammering down while having a pint after a very enjoyable ride! Perfect!
Cheers lads. I especially like those zig-zags through the woods, although next time I'll remember to turn my light on.
I really need to come to one of these. Whilst you were all out I was sat in a sauna with two Indian blokes.
Binners etc- we are doing Nan Bield on Sat if you fancy it?
Hora - you've been saying you're going to come on one of these for the best part of ten years now. But the allure of men in a sauna? You're like a moth to a flame. 😀
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Thanks Chaps, another good ride!
Posting photos on here is a smidge above my technical abilities, but if anyone is on instagram, search #MNPR (there'll be a few about Power Rangers, but you should see mine as well)
Thanks Chaps, another good ride!
Posting photos on here is a smidge above my technical abilities, but if anyone is on instagram, search #MNPR (there'll be a few about Power Rangers, but you should see mine as well)
Prestwich next week Hora if you fancy it. We'll probably do some of the trails in the area that you once said would be best suited for industrial units. 😉
You can bring your naked India gentlemen friends if you like as we're an open minded bunch, as long as you don't get up to anything that will put me off my crisps.
Binners is that [s]benny hills[/s] my version of [i]blue steel?[/i]
Nice shots fella...
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We've been blessed with some pretty spectacular sunsets of late
Ah, well done. Cheers.
Was that last night?
It was definitely a game of two halves weather-wise. As clearly demonstrated in that last shot. EEK! At least we made it to the pub before that absolute deluge
Do we know how the early risers got on?
From top to bottom:
- Todmorden
- Rivington
- Ramsbottom
So just the bottom one is from last night. It was pretty threatening last night, but I had my yellow lenses in so it just felt like another sunny day!
Good ride last night, thanks for having me along! Hope to make it again sometime soon 🙂
Might as well bung in another gratuitous MNPR sunset pic in then. Blackstone....
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I slept through my alarm, got up at half 5, rather than 5.
Feeling like it should be about 3pm already! 3rd coffee of the day just brewed!
All my wet clothes are in the car for the day. It's going to be a nice smelling drive back to Derby later!?
Prestwich next week? It's close to Manchester?
I might be able to make it. I'll have to smuggle my bike up in the courtesy car I'll have for that day.
Prestwich next week? It's close to Manchester?
4 miles north of Manchester centre.
You'll need lights as we'll be playing in the woods.
Prestwich next week Hora if you fancy it. We'll probably do some of the trails in the area that you once said would be best suited for industrial units.
I think he said something about raw sewage.
I had a nice treat when I got in the car to drive home earlier.....my wet muddy kit in the back, been there all day cooking in the sun....
I might have to torch the car, it reeked! !?