Forum search & shortcuts
By the by, there's been a fair bit of erosion on Stairs Lane which will make it more difficult. Towards the end of the steepest part (coming downhill) in particular.
It all adds to the fun though and nothing you can do about it.
Showing my age now, but when I wer a lad (25 years ago), I could ride one of these (pic below) along the cheeky path on the wrong side of Shipley Glen, no chance these days, in fact I cant even clear it now on a full susser.
[img] 
[/img]
Cheeky path on the wrong side of shipley glen you say...
Come on everyone knows that one ??
Ooooh actually, this has just reminded me. Does anyone have a suggestion for a route back from High Moor Woods back down to Riddlesden other than the road? It would help immensely with another big circuit I've been meaning to do.
Not me, until fairly recently I didn't really ride in Airedale at all. I've ticked off a fair chunk of the trails round here by now but unless it links up to a ride from Menston I'm fairly much useless.
I've never cleaned the cheeky path ont other side of shipley glen (I presume you mean sheriff lane to saltaire rd direction?). 🙂
might be able to now tho, on me super light carbon 456, not been along it for ages.
I've never managed it either. Then again I'm an old git
crickey i havent been to Harden moor in years ..i grew up there, and visited st ives, alter lane, alter rocks area, all the time.... i remember half way up harden prob the same area as Alter lane opposite there was loads of wasteland area we used to take the mopeds and small motorbikes up there with my dad all the time. must get up there agin soon and explore...wud be fun to visit my old haunts agin hehehe...not sure what the 'Harden fast' is your all talking about... is this something new ?
No, It's BMDC or some other gov organisation (Aire Valley Partnership?) doing a variant of the usual curcuit up there and giving it a name. you can easily find it on the internet
Anyone riding tonight and fancy sharing some local trail knowledge?
Me and a mate should be over in Bingley for no later than 6pm traffic permitting.
I'll be armed with the V graphics book, hard'en fast route (which differs slightly) and the suggestions Simon mailed me but having a guide would be loads easier.
Especially as time might be limited for exploring getting navigation wrong 🙂
Would really love join you for a ride but I broke my thumb while I was out in France last week. Not going to be riding MTB for at least 2 months 😥
Damn! Unlucky fella. Hope it mends quick.
BUMP for the folks just finishing work or bored at work and now surfing the net
Fancy sharing some local trail knowledge and riding Binlgey & Harden Moor route (Hard'en Fast) and any other cheeky, fun bits you know??
FunkyDunc, B.A.Nana, lemonysam, anyone?
Hey, wish I could help but I'm not a particular expert on the cheeky stuff over there. If you just want a stonking good ride though, have a look at the strava log I posted and think about linking the main loop together starting from Harden. Combine with some messing about on Harden Moor and in St Ives woods and you'll have a great evening (fast 35km-ish) without the navigational headaches of trying to link up unmarked trails.
Thanks fella. I think I'll stick with what I know for tonight and then maybe do some exploring and variation at the weekend or when someone local can join me.
Right, time to kit up...
Just thought I'd say thanks for the replies and comments, especially Dunc and Simon for your input. Appreciated.
Simon, I'll probably drop you another e-mail before the weekend with a few questions about suggestions 2,3 & 4 if that's OK?
Last night, I parked up on Blind Lane and started the ride from there. Climbing to meet where Altar Lane forks and the 5 bar gate. A much better start than just climbing Altar Lane.
Riding to the end of Altar Lane I noticed another suggestion on the left where it flattens out so I need to investigate this.
Then onto Harden Moor where I rode the usual route skirting the edge of the moor. Quite like this sandy, singletrack interspersed with rocky, pick-a-line tech sections.
It was only when it starts to flatten out and you turn left and ride down to The Guide pub that I noticed two lads on bikes cutting directly, diagonally across the moorland singletrack. Which looks good. So will try this next time.
On Bingley Road I turned left at the Jack Smith Garage and followed this track past farms, over a DRY! field, under a few bridges and along a track to Haworth Road. This is much nicer than my previous route from Cross Roads onto Haworth Rd.
I suppose the final variation was at Lee Lane where I turned left down the road into a wooded twisty, rocky track and down to the Malt Shovel pub before following the Calder Aire Link through Harden and back into the St Ives estate.
I quite liked the little bit of singletrack to the farm on the other route but didn't like the ride through Cottingley so this is a decent alternative. Maybe even ride this then back into Cottingley Woods which will surely eventually bring you out at the rocky descent towards the Malt Shovel??
BTW, 3 attempts at that rocky ascent heading towards Lee Lane and agonisingly close to clearing it no dabs the last two times. Last night I just tried to squeeze past an over hanging bush on the left half way up and it rocked my balance trying to clear one of the steps. Great little bitch climb challenge.
So the route ridden was based more upon the Hard'en Fast rather than the V Graphics and I'm starting to see more options at St Ives and Harden Moor. I've not even considered Cottingley Woods yet either.
I'm tempted to ride it again Saturday morning 🙂
Any questions feel free to email me.