Hollingworth Lake to Hebden Bridge
This ride was organised jointly by the Northern Peak/South Pennine and Lancashire Groups of the RSF and was open to the public as part of the South Pennine Walking and Cycling Festival. We only had two non-members turn up, probably due to the lack of publicity for the Festival events, personally I had not seen any advertising for the festival anywhere. However, the usual stalwarts of our rides from Hollingworth Lake were present, John, Grayham and Sol were joined by our worthy president Frank Brierley, and Keith Mills from Bolton caught up with us shortly after the start.
The grey misty day soon turned to sunshine as we climbed over Clegg Moor and up to the summit of Blackstone Edge, here we had a short breather at the Whitehouse before descending through Cragg Vale to Hebden Bridge. This descent, I am told, is the longest in the country at almost six miles, it didn't seem that long, but was quite exhilarating nevertheless. Here our two visitors left us to return to Littleborough, I think they preferred a faster pace. Our usual cafe stop in Hebden Bridge by the canal is now closed permanently, so we used one of the town centre cafes by the river, the service was appalling, and the soup that I ordered was virtually inedible. I will not name the establishment here, but if anyone wants to know it's name so that they can avoid it, give me a ring.
The return journey was along the canal towpath, through Todmorden and thence onto the Pennine Bridleway back to Hollingworth Lake where we stopped for a natter and a brew in the visitor centre before heading off home.
Thanks again for your support, see you at the next ride!
Brian Parkinson
