On the verge of upping sticks from Sheffield and moving to Skelmanthorpe. Two main reasons, clear the mortgage so the wife can retire and it also should make my commute to Leeds bearable.
But I know nothing about riding in that part of the world and the Holme valley. Am I going to be disappointed? I’m not a full on enduro rider but I do like the odd bit of rocky technical riding (think Blacka Moor and Eastern Edges if you’re from Sheffield). What are the legitimate and cheeky trails like?
Surely there must be at least one person on here who has some experience of the riding? Or so I just need to persuade the wife to relocate to Hebden Bridge instead?!
I opened this hoping shat is a place.
Because where I went to school that would be one brooon and sticky ride. And also very weird grammar.
( Image loading not working for me, you will just have to Google a image for the broons 😀)
https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=shat
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT_4S7PCXPhH1E0_3mDm_8GWs0Nm35YFbP4pg&s
I went to school in Shat (or rather, just outside of it)
sadly not lived there for 20 years, so not really up on currently riding, but when I lived there, lots of bridleways and woodland xc Singletrack, occasional DH trail (storthes hall) not a massive amount of enduro off piste, though enduro didn’t really exist then.
thanks @tomhoward, that sounds like a good mix for my ageing mind and body to explore.I went to school in Shat (or rather, just outside of it)
sadly not lived there for 20 years, so not really up on currently riding, but when I lived there, lots of bridleways and woodland xc Singletrack, occasional DH trail (storthes hall) not a massive amount of enduro off piste, though enduro didn’t really exist then.
Funnily enough, switching windows to Twitter I'm instantly presented with this. Looks like there's a decent bus service in Shat...
https://twitter.com/NoContextBrits/status/1947289206889349163
Funnily enough I used to live overlooking Shatton Moor. Maybe I’ve got a problem.
Riding from the door would be a bit poor although Deffer Woods is great when it’s dry. Plenty of legit and cheeky in the Holme Valley to rival Eastern Peak particularly if you like the woods where most of the tech is. Marsden great but slightly further afield.
Thanks @scuttler, Deffer woods sound ideal and looks like about 5km from what will be my new doorstep. I’m pretty partial to woodland riding too so that’s good news.
So we’re in the new house. Two weeks and the first ride today from the door. Probably not ideal riding conditions as mud at every turn but in the hour I had, probably 80% off road and all rideable on the singlespeed. In my mind that’s a good start.
Oh and the new house is a revelation. Coming from a 1900’s five bed to a three bed new build, whilst not having the high ceilings and character of the last house is so much more practical to live in, and holds the heat like nothing else. There’s even underfloor heating in the bathrooms which is a proper luxury.
If there are any locals who fancy a quick spin (slow and steady is my general approach) let me know.
Surprised it took you so long to get a reply - there used to be semi-annual STW events called Shatfest that were about twenty strong with Chipps occasionally in attendance and ended up with a big booze up.
Deffer Wood is the doorstep stuff but the riding in the Holme Valley is great. My folks live there and when I'm next down I'll get in touch and show you round.
Welcome! Im off the bike at the moment but word is the Holme Valley woods are running ok. I’ll send some Strava stuff.
Thanks @munrobiker and @scuttler, Holme Valley sounds good, be great to be shown the good stuff as just riding by trial and error takes time. Once it dries up a bit I’ll definitely head to Deffer Woods too.
if you like a bit of mixed riding 50/50 lanes, tracks and mud there are some big old mixed routes out to the east. perfect on gravel bike or hard tail.
nice 50 miler i ride regular with not much road.
need to work up to a 50 miler but that sounds good for a summer target thanks @tonif you like a bit of mixed riding 50/50 lanes, tracks and mud there are some big old mixed routes out to the east. perfect on gravel bike or hard tail.
nice 50 miler i ride regular with not much road.
give me a shout whenever you fancy mate. i will happily guide you round.
couple of nice cafe's on the loop for fuel.
@scuttler what are the holme valley woods? I've lived in holmfirth for 6 years now and struggled to find much decent riding in the valley tbh. Especially since they sanitized the bw from yateholm.Welcome! Im off the bike at the moment but word is the Holme Valley woods are running ok. I’ll send some Strava stuff.
Hey, Spring, School, Mag, Neiley, Hagg, Honley, DB/Slate Pits, Dean. Most woods around Honley.
I've sent you a DM 👍
You aren't far from a few places I frequent on a bike.
Langset, gives you a decent cheeky loop involving cut gate.
Marsden and the wessenden head valley, or go in the other direction to watergrove.
Is Shat better than Dull?