Widdop

A scenic and hilly ride out over the Pennines to Wycoller, return by Widdop Moor and then an ascent of Cragg Vale followed by a visit to the The Weavers’ Seaport (Holinworth Lake) before the final climb back into Saddleworth.

The start is Denshaw Community Centre where there is limited parking, but plenty of additional space on surrounding streets.

From there it is left and left straight into the first climb of the day up to Buckstones that feels like you are heading into the Alps.  A fast decent through Barkisland followed by a steep decent into Sowerby Bridge.

The first control is in Luddenden just before the steepest climb of the day Stocks Lane which takes you up to Mount Tabor and Wainstalls before passing Halifax sailing club (as seen in Happy Valley) and the drop down to Oxenhope.

From Oxenhope you head to Stanbury and the run over the moors to Laneshawbridge, with Pendle Hill in the distance, from where you turn back on yourself and visit Wycoller Country Park for the next control. Unfortunately the cafe at Wycoller is no more so the best option is just a short distance further on at the Black Rock Cafe in Trawden, who will be expecting you, for somewhere to recover and prepare yourself for the big climbs of the day.

Leaving Trawden it is up to the Coldwell Reservoirs, drop to Thursden and keeping your momentum over the cattlegrid and a steep left to climb Ridehaigh Lane to get you above Widdop Resevoir.  Next is a rolling ride down past the reservoir and Hardcastle Crags to Hebdon Bridge.  A short streatch on the valley road to Mythomroyd where a right hand turn gets you to the start of Craig Vale England’s longest continuous climb, not steep but it does go on.  Remember to keep an eye out for the left turn after passing through Craig Vale village as this is the location of the final control before the finish.

Right at the top takes you past the White House and down to Littleborough where you take the left to visit Hollingworth Lake, the Weavers Seaport with its arcades and cafes.  Dropping to Milnrow and then Newhey takes you to the final climb of the day up Wicken Hall Clough before the drop to Denshaw and Arrivée back at Denshaw Community Centre.