There was a supplement in The Times today, “The 30 coolest places to live in Britain”. Hebden Bridge was number 1.

I thought I’d heard it mentioned on here so checked and I was right. So, somewhere for decent riding and the coolest place in Britain. Am I missing out? Should I pack my bags now?

i prefer keswick.

I prefer Whaley Bridge

Hebden’s alright though. It’s a bit ‘obviously’ nice though, and therefore touristy.

Should say ‘Coolest & wettest’ (or was that Sowerby Bridge?) ❓

Its one of the few places I’d move to and I love where I live (few miles down the valley)…

The plus points (“cool”, good riding, nice vibe etc) are outweighed by the negatives though (full of pr*cks on bikes every weekend, longer commute times to civilisation, have to spend a LOT to get a house with a decent garden and garage etc) for us. So I’ll stay where I am, have all ‘MY’ trails and when I feel like it, jump on the train for 10 minutes (or ride 30 minutes) to Hebden.

If anyone’s interested in why it’s so cool:

“Hebden Bridge has been voted one of the quirkiest places in the world thanks to its artists, musicians and New Agers. It is also reputed to be one of the most gay-friendly towns in the country. The music scene is great — the Trades Club is an institution.”

Mountain Biking was invented in Hebden Bridge.

It’s full of tree-hugging sandal-wearing guardian-reading lentil-eating soap-dodgers. So I guess if you you think that’s cool, then yeah it’s cool.

Todmorden’s way cooler.

Its a joke right?

The Times? You are aware that nobody who writes for the Times has ever been north of Watford, right?

Anyway…. Hebdon….

‘Salreet there. Birds are a bit hard to chat up though…

I think it’s quite a nice place, but a bit of a cliche type place. It also needs to be careful – too cool and you’ll get a load of SUV-driving yummy mummies persuading their rich husbands to move there. Property prices through the roof, fences and hedges thrown up everywhere, and every cheeky trail closed by people who have paid “damned good money” to exclude others from their private idyll.

I still like the Viz euphemism for lesbianism – ‘on the road to Hebden Bridge’.

Oh, and that car park in the town (near the coin-operated bogs) is the coldest place in the known universe. I’ve been warmer getting changed next to a reservoir after a winter ride than getting changed there!

The Times? You are aware that nobody who writes for the Times has ever been north of Watford, right?

I’ve rarely been north of Watford myself. I do wonder if I’m missing out sometimes, and not just because The Times says there are cool places oop north 😉

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/hebden-bridge-property-prices-about-to-rocket

too cool and you’ll get a load of SUV-driving yummy mummies persuading their rich husbands to move there. Property prices through the roof,

erm….I think that happened 10 to 15 years ago (+) !

I used to live there for a short while (6 months) and don’t miss it at all. I only live 10 miles away now but haven’t stopped off in Hebden for a few years (and then only to go to Blazing Saddles bike shop). So no you are not missing much.

Yes I was aware of that!

If you live somewhere a bit ‘alternative’ the death-knell is seeing a yummy mummy type parking up in their SUV before getting out a wicker basket and walking along with it in the crook of their elbow and wearing designer, yet boho-looking, clothes. Perhaps a floral shirt. They then buy a 100ml bottle of infused olive oil before burning another half gallon of fuel to get half a mile home.

They then follow this with an extended rabbit on their smartphone to their chums saying how they really must meet up for a coffee tomorrow at the most DARLING little cafe they spotted earlier.

Stereotype?

Good skate park and the cafe by the bridge is good for mid roadie ride coffee.

Todmorden’s way cooler.

+1
Tod keeps it real.Sadly it’s still missing “Out in the Sticks”

too cool and you’ll get a load of SUV-driving yummy mummies persuading their rich husbands to move there. Property prices through the roof,

It’s been well-documented. From Lord Hereford’s Knob (CSI Ambleside – Half Man Half Biscuit):

As I camped out one evening to take the midnight air
I heard a maiden grieving from somewhere over there
Who is it you are mourning
For whom do you wear grey
She said I pine for no one, I just can’t pay my way
Ever since the chattering classes invaded Hebden Bridge
And priced the likes of me and mine
To the pots of the Pennine Ridge
To South East Wales I was forced to flee
And now I have no job
That’s why tonight I’m sitting on top of Lord
Hereford’s Knob

Hebden is just trying way too hard:
Too many trustafarians, teenage alcoholics, the wrong drugs and self inflated egos.

Tod? You’re confusing cool with rigor mortis.

Cliviger is where it’s at these days.
The depth of intellectual debate round the bar of the Kettledrum on a Friday night would have Roland Barthes shaking in his wellies.

Anyways, my pokey little town of Frome is in at number 6 on their list.

Happy with that 🙂

Aaaaaaaaaah…. the genius of Half Man Half Biscuit. Nice one TM 😀

Tod is definitely ‘on the up’, I think it even has a coffee bar type place !! Cliviger sounded familiar but I had to check where it was; Turns out that great metropolis is where I often turn around on my out and back road rides – how did I miss it !

Turns out that great metropolis is where I often turn around on my out and back road rides – how did I miss it !

You were probably dazzled by the bright lights and sophistication. 😀

Are you sure you don’t just mean ‘Hebden Bridge, the coldest place in Britain’?

Nah, the coldest place in Britain is platform 2 on Victoria Station in Manchester.

Scientific fact, that.

The Coldest place? Have you not been to Oldham?

Wettest, not coldest.

Apart from that, I find all the cliches very tired and inaccurate, but I suppose that’s the point…

‘Salreet there. Birds are a bit hard to chat up though…

Well, it made me laugh.

Fortunateson09 – Member
Apart from that, I find all the cliches very tired and inaccurate, but I suppose that’s the point…

Which cliches?

If Hebbers is the coolest place to live in Britain, then this country has gone utterly, utterly mad.

Cliviger? Would be okay without the racists ;o)

Dave – Moderator

Cliviger? Would be okay without the racists ;o)

Eh? 😯
Go on, what have we done?
Only been here six months, not encountered any dodgyness so far.

Anyway, have you ever been in the Duke of York in Tod? 😐
(Shudders…..)

Was Stoke on the list?

If that place is cool I don’t want to ever be cool

The fact that you’re on here would probably negate any concerns on that front 😉

😀

Chorlton [cum-Hardy] got a mention too. I like to think I helped in my own way. 🙂

They then follow this with an extended rabbit on their smartphone

What? They’ve got a app for this nowadays…

Chorlton got a mention? Seriously wtf. Its rampant suburbia. Hebden has alot of houses with half-mouldy dishevelled curtains hanging from condensation covered-windows with half broken down old T4’s outside.

**** right off. These journo’s really should stop tapping phones and get outside into the world.