With the Bronte Bridleway MBR Killer Loop off limits, a word from Phil Bombadil had prompted the IFB to investigate a notice by Bradford Council of a footpath upgrade near Oxenhope.
Not ones for the easy option the IFB posse decided to start at Blazing Saddles and revisit the entire classic loop of Oxenhope Moor. The result of this positive action by Bradford Council has remove the need to use the horrible tarmac down into Oxenhope and up Shaw and Lee lanes. It also opens up some excellent track from Top of Stones to Bodkin Lane.
It also opens up some excellent track from Top of Stones to Bodkin Lane.
With this anti clockwise tweak in place. We had no option but to return the next day and try it clockwise. After excluding the climb upto High Brown Knoll and passing Bog Eggs Edge instead. We were left will little option but to produce two routes, both of which are now available from Blazing Saddles.
But, remember Riding High Brown knoll when it’s this wet is pretty stupid according to a local rider and I must agree. Save these for the summer months.
So here’s the info: BEN’S ALLOTMENT
Meet at start point SD990272 Blazing Saddles Hebden Bridge Calderdale (or SD988291 the National Trust car park at Hardcastle Crags)
Ride out at: Get an early start so you can enjoy a full day.
Route length : 23 miles
Total height ascended : 1235m
Length of singletrack: plenty
Longest descent: not worked this out yet (check the profile)
Rideable 97%
Tarmac. 1.25 miles A road. 3.75 miles singletrack road.
Cheeky: not a bit. Ask Ben!
So here’s the info: BOG EGGS EDGE
Meet at start point SD990272 Blazing Saddles Hebden Bridge Calderdale (or SD988291 the National Trust car park at Hardcastle Crags)
Ride out at: Get an early start so you can enjoy a full day.
Route length : 22 miles
Total height ascended : 1186m
Length of singletrack: plenty
Longest descent: not worked this out yet (check the profile)
Rideable 98%
Tarmac. 0.25 miles A road. 3.75 miles singletrack road.
Cheeky: not a bit.
Heres a quick update from Daveyboywonder which avoids the tarmac – posted on STW…
Author: DaveyBoyWonder
Date: 30/06/06 12:47
I’d ride it the way they say up until point 35 but instead of losing all that height on a tarmac track, take a right turn on the bridleway leading up the hill from [35], and follow the bridleway that leads down into Walshaw hamlet and then north on the farm road all the way until it drops down and over the bridge in the small valley. Climb out of here and then keep left as the road splits and head down to the road near the Pack Horse. At the road, take a left and then a right immediately onto a bridleway which leads around the lower end of Lower Gorple res and then take a right on the signed bridleway. Follow this trail over the tops and then through the gate and along the farm road for a bit until the first proper ‘road’ on the right – down there, over the hump backed bridge and straight on (as if you’re going down someones driveway). Turn left onto the bridleway after the gate which passes the house and then climbs up onto the tops. Left at the gate which then weaves its way all the way down to Jack Bridge. Then hammer it down Jack Bridge to Hebden.
Of course there are numerous cheeky ways of getting down from Jack Bridge / Lower Gorple which are mind blowingly good but for me to publish these on a well know cycling website would be very irresponsible!!!
We climbed up the bridleway from the top of Luddenden Dean onto the tops near High Brow Knoll last weekend and its a right killer of a climb – good job this route goes down it – mucho fun!!!