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The Lancashire Group
Your local group of the RSF the off-
For cyclists who love off road leisure cycling in Northern England
1st to 2nd April 2009: The Mary Townley Loop.
It's 10-
Charlie leading the group up the packhorse trail on Walsden Moor.
We take a welcome rest at the highest point on this section of the trail, before the descent into the hamlet of Bottomley.
On our way down the muddy and wet trail just above Knowl Wood.
The large stone setts made for a rather bumpy descent, as Reid leads the riders towards the final and very steep descent to Bottomley.
A look of concentration from Jim as he starts the steep and tricky descent to the Rochdale Canal, and the traffic light controlled crossing of the A6033.
The start of the climb beside Shore Moor, we all had to walk up eventually!
Only Charlie managing to stay on two wheels now, as we cross the route of the Todmorden Railway, 300 feet below us in the Summit Tunnel, you can see the ventilation outlet to the front right of the group.
Here's Ken almost at the top, where we stopped for a welcome break, and took in the moorland scenery.
On the descent now, above Calderbrook, and heading for Watergrove Reservoir.
Watergrove reservoir in the background now as we ride beside Brown Wardle Hill.
The last climb, below Rushy Hill, before our lunch stop near Healy Dell.
Well, we made it, a little behind time, but who's worried on such a lovely day!
The Scout Moor Wind Farm, seen as we ride up Rooley Moor Road.
We arrive at Top of Leach, above the village of Cowpe, and take a breather.
On the descent now beside Hail Storm Hill, we wait to re-
We've now climbed from Waterfoot and are on the track above Whitewell Bottom, someone mentioned taking another form of transport back to the hostel, after all we are on a bridleway, I'll stick with the bike thanks!
The climb beside Liver Hill and Dunnockshaw Community Woodland, as we near Deerplay Moor.
Charlie, Jim, Reid and Tim at the memorial to Lady Mary Townley, who fought for the opening of this and other rights of way in the county
The start of the second day, from Holme Chapel. We had ridden back to the hostel from here the previous day, a return trip of fifteen miles. Why is everyone smiling?
The start of the ascent of Coal Clough, John leads the pack.
This is about the halfway point to the Clough, Sol is now to the forefront.
Nearing the top now, the wind farm is just coming into view.
Sol makes it to the top, the rest of the group is not far behind. What a glorious day to be out cycling!
Queuing up to cross the ford in the Shedden Plantation, whilst we are being photographed by passing walkers, all of us crossed safely.
The next ford we had to cross was a little trickier, here Grayham blasts through.
Other members decided to take the safer option, using the stepping stones,
Crossing the embankment of Cant Clough Reservoir.
John leads the climb up to Gorple, just above Hurstwood Reservoir.
Here's Jane crossing the embankment of Widdop Reservoir.
Our Lunch stop today at 'May's Aladdin's Cave' on the moors above Jack Bridge, she did us proud!
The hard push towards Moorhall Farm, before the drop to Jack Bridge and the next climb to Blackshaw Head, talk about an undulating route, or is it hilly?
The descent from Blackshaw Head to Callis Bridge, not for the timid! Jim and Keith make it look easy.
Swallows and Amazons versus the Indians beside the Rochdale Canal, as we ride up the track in Callis Wood.
Here we are, still riding up the track in Callis Wood, luckily the route takes us off this track before the top.
This is the newly constructed and now permanent route of the Mary Townley Loop, to take us up to London Road, just below Stoodley Pike.
With Stoodley Pike to the rear, Charlie leads us back to the hostel for a well earned cuppa!
That’s it folk! Click here to read ride report, to checkout the forthcoming events page to see where the Group is going next and don’t forget post comment on our forum.