Posted on Dec 10, 2014 at 09:28 AM by andy.geall79
A long drag of a climb from Mankinholes to Swillington, this climb hugs the moorland below Stoodley Pike. The weather and strong westerly winds can make this old package trail challenging. At 1.7 miles in length and an average gradient of 3.3% this climb is challenging (Blue). Max gradient 9.7% and (Cat 4).
Challenging – Blue
Challenging climbs are likely to feature an average gradient between 3 and 5% and can feature some technical difficulty. These climbs are ideal for people who have a good level of fitness and want to improve their ability to climb and feel a sense of achievement.
Posted on Dec 10, 2014 at 08:43 AM by andy.geall79
A hard (RED) climb mainly due to the length at 1.8 miles and max gradient of over 17%. The climb consists of tarmac, good surfaced bridleways with water features and old farm tracks. The upper section of this climb can suffer from standing water after long periods of rain. (Cat 3)
Hard – Red
Hard climbs will feature a constant level of difficulty or feature a technically difficult section. Climbs of this nature are likely to feature terrain with a gradient between 5 and 10%. This type of climb will really challenge new cyclists and require regular cyclists to increase their efforts to successfully complete this type of climb. The majority of the climbs in the Calderdale area are hard – Red.
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Posted on Dec 08, 2014 at 14:36 PM by andy.geall79
A classic short mountain bike loop starting in the tourist town of Hebden Bridge. This ride takes in some great riding around Hardcastle Crags, Walshaw, Widdop, Blackshaw Head and Ragley. The route begins with a steady tarmac climb until the road rolls down to Hardcastle Crags. Just before the visitor car park there is a hidden bridleway to the right and the real challenge is clearing it without putting your foot down ‘dabbing’ over this very short but technical climb, both power and bike handling skills are needed to overcome the first real challenge of the day.The route continues up through the Crags before you take a left up to Shackelton Knoll. This climb is steep on a good day and the time of year can really effect traction as you make your way to the top. A grass descent then drops you through a small hamlet and onto a fast section to Alcomden Water before climbing up to the Calder/Aire Link at Clough Foot. The route then joins the Pennine Bridleway up a concrete road to Gorple Lower Reservoir before a short rest and more climbing. At the top reward your fellow riders with a high five or simply smile at your achievements as you complete 99% of this rides climbing. From this point the route heads to Colden and links nicely into the superb descent of Ragley. This descent brings you out on the outskirts of Hebden Bridge and we included a towpath return back to the start via the cycle friendly Stubbing Wharf pub that serves great food and real beer.
Red - Hard
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Posted on Dec 08, 2014 at 13:46 PM by andy.geall79
This climb is super tough and those riders running a 53/39 chainset maybe wishing they had opted for a compact. Bike talk aside this climb offers a mile of super steep climbing, with an average gradient of just short of 10% and a maximum of 19.6% be prepared to put in some effort. This climb ramps up straight away and there is no let-up till half way. Reach the summit at Heights Rd and the view up and down the Calder Valley is fantastic. Climb status very hard (Double Black) and (Cat 3).
Very Hard – Double Black
A Very Hard – Double Black climb will feature super technical difficulty and really challenge amateur and profession cyclists alike. Climbs of this nature are likely to have an average gradient over 10% and sections over 15% gradient make these climbs seriously tough. Calderdale has a number of road and mountain bike climbs that sit in this category.
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Posted on Dec 08, 2014 at 11:50 AM by andy.geall79
This climb allows you to follow in the footsteps of the 2014 Tour De France from the Bronte Country of Oxenhope to Cock Hill. This climb provides access to the tourist Town of Hebden Bridge after you have conquered the south side of this hill. Covering 2.3 miles and with an average gradient of 5.8% and maximum of 10.1% this is not an easy climb. The weather can be an influencing factor as the climb heads up through open moorland. Climb status hard (Red) and (Cat 3).
Hard – Red
Hard climbs will feature a constant level of difficulty or feature a technically difficult section. Climbs of this nature are likely to feature terrain with a gradient between 5 and 10%. This type of climb will really challenge new cyclists and require regular cyclists to increase their efforts to successfully complete this type of climb. The majority of the climbs in the Calderdale area are hard – Red.
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Posted on Dec 08, 2014 at 11:12 AM by andy.geall79
This is one of the biggest climbs in Calderdale and cycled on a regular basis heading north out of the tourist Town of Hebden Bridge. The climb has a really mix of scenery bypassing old stone buildings before heading into woodland and up to the small village of Pecket Well. From this point the climb heads onto open moorland until you reach Cock Hill. The climb covers 4.2 miles with an average gradient of 4.7% and a maximum of 13.5%. The earlier sections of the climb are steeper but the upper sections can be much more challenging in poor weather conditions. Climb status very hard (Black) and (Cat 2) based on the length of the climb more than the gradient.
Very Hard climbs will always feature a very steep gradient between 10 and 15% or feature technical terrain that requires a high level of skill to negotiate. This type of climb is a real challenge for anyone and a number of elements come into play on this type of climb. Having a bike that suits you with a good range of gears, health and general cycling fitness are all important to successfully complete a very hard – black climb.
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Posted on Dec 08, 2014 at 10:52 AM by andy.geall79
This twisty turning climb featured in 2014 Tour De France King of the Mountains competition and provides a mix of steep residential roads and semi-rural climbing. The climb starts in the village of West Vale a good place to refuel and visit the local shops before heading up Queen Street and onto Green Lane for a brief rest before hitting the super steep Hullenedge Lane with a maximum gradient of 16.6%. The climb turns right onto Hammerstones road offering a brief rest bite before heading up Blackley Rd to the summit. Climb status very hard (Black) and (Cat 4).
Very Hard – Black
Very Hard climbs will always feature a very steep gradient between 10 and 15% or feature technical terrain that requires a high level of skill to negotiate. This type of climb is a real challenge for anyone and a number of elements come into play on this type of climb.Having a bike that suits you with a good range of gears, health and general cycling fitness are all important to successfully complete a very hard – black climb.
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Posted on Dec 08, 2014 at 10:32 AM by andy.geall79
This climb was home to a huge spectator hub as the 2014 Tour De France followed these very roads. This is a short climb just under a mile but very steep with an average gradient of 7.7% and a maximum of 12.5%. As the climb begins from the church you can see the remains of where the old railway line used to bridge across the road before hitting the steepest part of the climb. Once you have made it around the tight left bend the climb becomes easier offering views to the left down the Ripponden Valley. Just before the summit you can refuel at the Fleece Inn. Climb status very hard (Black) and (Cat 4).
Very Hard – Black
Very Hard climbs will always feature a very steep gradient between 10 and 15% or feature technical terrain that requires a high level of skill to negotiate. This type of climb is a real challenge for anyone and a number of elements come into play on this type of climb.Having a bike that suits you with a good range of gears, health and general cycling fitness are all important to successfully complete a very hard – black climb.
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Posted on Dec 01, 2014 at 15:02 PM by andy.geall79
The Foxes Den mountain bike route is name after the market town of Todmorden meaning Den of the Fox. Starting at the Shepherds Rest Inn this mountain bike route takes in all the hills above Todmorden which has a unique 3 sided valley. The route starts with some great off road terrain in the form of the Pennine Bridleway and the first climb features Calderdale Off Road Climb 14. The route continues on an old pack-horse trail before sharply descending to the village of Walsden. At this point comes the biggest challenge on the ride in the form of Calderdale Off Road Climb 19, a mix of steep road and technical terrain up to the areas trig point. The next section on Limers Gate offers a fast fire road before linking into the regeneration project of Flower Scar Rd and the country road descent to Cornholme. Some challenging tarmac lies ahead before you enter some of the best natural mountain biking in the area and a technical descent to the valley floor. It’s uphill back to the start from here with one more installment of Pennine Bridleway descent.
Posted on Dec 01, 2014 at 14:25 PM by andy.geall79
The Calderdale 70 provides a tough day in the saddle with plenty of climbing on offer. The route begins in the tourist honey pot of Hebden Bridge and heads to the picturesque Mankinholes and Lumbutts above Todmorden. The ride then moves on to follow the hills above the market town of Todmorden before heading up the super steep Pudsey Road to Long Causeway. The views on this part of the ride are spectacular on a clear day offering almost traffic free cycling to the outskirts of Trawden in Lancashire. The road from Wycoller to Oxenhope is superb and frequently used by road cyclists providing an excellent gateway back into Yorkshire. Heading out of Bronte country the route works its way up to Queensbury before heading down the Shibden Valley. The route then takes a slight urban twist through the outskirts of Halifax before heading to the hills above the little village of Ripponden. The route finishes picking up the 2014 Tour De France route in reverse heading down Cragg Vale with a flat finish to Hebden Bridge and a well-deserved coffee, cake or place to stay for the night.
Download The Calderdale 70 Route Guide
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