[Closed] Rivington/Belmont/Smithills Moor route

Down toward Bolton, right up Scout Road and then right off there up coal pit road and then across Smithills Moor - watch out for Gene Hunt's ghost!

Thanks

I quite like it as a descent too. Fast and pedally, but lots of little drops and rocks to keep you sharp. You can then turn sharp right after the gate at the bottom, follow the road then drop onto the bridleway by the stables to take you straight back onto the Winter Hill road ( just by the second cattle grid).

Much as I love the San Marino descent, I struggle to enjoy riding back up Scout Road.

Think I may head up that way tonight, as the sun is out!! 8)

I think [url= http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=367478&Y=412767&A=Y&Z=115&ax=367531&ay=413252 ]this is where geofj[/url] is reffering to. Better down than up IMHO.

I prefer [url= http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=367596&Y=412245&A=Y&Z=115 ]this as a way up[/url].

Try riding up San Marino. Much better than plodding up the tarmac & goo d character builder to go flying down & turn round straight away & go up again.

I think you should all grow a pair and use [url= http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?x=367177&y=414982&z=115&sv=367177,414982&st=4&ar=y&mapp=map.srf&searchp=ids.srf&dn=697&ax=367177&ay=414982&lm=0 ]this route[/url] to get back up 😉

Yup, that's the one.

I think the first time I rode up Smithhills, I was met by a group who basically said, 'hello, you're going the wrong way,' in retrospect, having ridden it loads of times both up and down, I think they were right.

@Donk that is the way I ride after doing the descent when I'm just out for quick evening rides, then quick loop down Smithhills, followed by Two Lads, Rivi Pike then down through the gardens/ICR or some other less well known routes.

Yeah I only ever do that route on my own, for some reason everyone complains when I suggest going back up. Plenty of descents to choose from if you go back up and you get more downhills per mile 🙂

Thanks for the feedback. I'll give both routes a try. Not convinced about riding back up the San Marino though!

Going back up san marino is quicker than going round and you end up at the top of winter hill. Winner.

Not convinced about riding back up the San Marino though!

gets you back at the top ready for another downhill, a lot shorter and quicker than the alternatives, there's no steep bits, nothing more technical than a step or two, it's just a long steady grind. Enjoy! 😀

wot DONK said, you can then drop of the pigeon tower end or head back to the dog kennels.

Just been out and scouted the routes suggested by geoffj and MadBillMcMad. Did geoffj's route as a descent from the mast(and it probably works better that way) and Bill's as an ascent - nice technical climb that would work just as well as a decent. Thanks again for the advice.