Posted on Dec 10, 2014 at 10:26 AM by andy.geall79
A fantastic climb from Cragg Vale village to Withens Gate that features a half and half road/off road terrain. The off road part of the climb is well surfaced but prone to large standing water at the reservoir and provides a good route to ride all year round. With an average gradient of 5.2% and a max of 10.6% this climb is hard (RED) largely due to its length at 2 miles and not the difficulty of the terrain. (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 10, 2014 at 09:40 AM by andy.geall79
Making up part of the MaryTownely Loop this climb starts in the valley floor outside Hebden Bridge and climbs through the woodland on a fire track road. The climb has no technical sections and kicks up in part to a max gradient of 12.6%. The average gradient of this climb is 6.9% over 1.7 miles making a challenging (Blue) and (Cat 3).
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.
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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 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 12:03 PM 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 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 Nov 24, 2014 at 15:08 PM by andy.geall79
The third instalment of the Ragley climbs and probably the toughest. This climb follows the same woodland trail as the Ragley climb before peeling off right and crossing the river.There is a hidden bridleway to the left that weaves up a thin rocky ascent before leaving the top of the woodland at Popples. The steepest section of this climb has a 10.2% maximum gradient and an average gradient of 6.6%. With just over a mile of climbing on offer the status of this climb is very hard (Double Black) and (Cat 4).
Very Hard – Double Black
A Very Hard – Double Black climb will feature super technical difficulty and really challenge amateur and professional 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 Nov 24, 2014 at 14:46 PM by andy.geall79
Ragley to Heptonstall
The second installment of the Ragley climbs with added technical terrain. This climb follows the same woodland trail as the Ragley climb before peeling off right, crossing the river and starting a tough climb to the historic village of Heptonstall. After crossing the river the climb has a challenging section of technical terrain before rolling on to the tarmac. The average gradient is 7.3% and the steepest sections present a 13.4% gradient. With just over a mile of climbing on offer the status of this climb is very hard (Black) and (Cat 4).
Climb Status
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 Nov 24, 2014 at 13:58 PM by andy.geall79
This bridleway runs parallel and elevated above the River Colden and offers 1.5 miles of woodland climbing.To reach the start of the climb you will of tackled part of the toughest road climbs in the area in the form of ‘Mytholm Steeps’, the off road option is much easier with an average gradient of 5.5% and a maximum gradient of 12.4%. For many completing this climb is simply a case of finding a comfortable gear and a good rhythm, however large loose rocks around half way make the climb more of a challenge. Climb status hard (Red) and (Cat 4).
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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