Rough Stuff Fellowship


	Local Ride Reports


	Home Routes Archive Photo Gallery Local Meets Noticeboard Links RSF Sales Contacts Join RSF

We've included a selection of local ride reports here compiled from various groups. They will hopefully give you a flavour of the groups' activities...

Welsh Borders Group Radnor Forest in Shropshire - Easter 2009 The newly formed Welsh Borders Group on their recent ride in Shropshire...
	Ascending a track in Radnor Forest
Lancashire Group Report Fifteen riders met at Tockholes, in glorious sunshine, for this 25 mile ride to Rivington Village. Leaving Tockholes we descended the track to the bridge over Rocky Brook in the Roddlesworth Plantation and took the by-way to Woodsfold, thence through Withnell to Withnell Fold and the Leeds Liverpool Canal. We then rode along the towpath to the Top Lock at Wheelton, here we had a short break beside the lock keeper's cottage, before starting the climb to Heapey, White Coppice and Healey Nab. Following the tracks beside the reservoirs we made our way to the Village Green Tea Room for lunch, and to have a good rest before our afternoon session. Leaving the village behind we rode along the bridleway to Horwich, before starting the climb up to the Dovecote above Lord Leverhulme's terraced gardens. From here we had distant views of both the Welsh and Lake District hills, Blackpool Tower being prominent in the middle distance. Leaving the Dovecote behind and riding now along the almost horizontal, but rocky/bumpy mile length of Belmont Road beside Winter Hill, we arrived at Hordern Stoops and the long descent into Belmont Village. Here we crossed the reservoir embankment and took the track beside Longworth Moor to the Roddlesworth Plantation, passing the ruins of Hollinshead Hall we descended to Rocky Brook and retraced the first half mile of the morning route back to the Car park at Tockholes. Another day of good weather and company with the Fellowship. My thanks to Steve Gregson for riding shotgun, and to all for making it such an enjoyable day. See you all next time! Safe cycling, Brian Parkinson.
	John Kemp leads the group up the track on the approach to the Woodsfold Sawmills near Abbey Village
	A brief respite beside the lock-keepers cottage at the Top Lock, Wheelton
	Time to re-group following the climb over Healey Nab
Lancashire & North Peak/South Pennines September 2008 Hollingworth Lake to Hebden Bridge This ride was organised jointly by the Northern Peak/South Pennine and Lancashire Groups of the R.S.F. 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 start of the bridleway on the ascent of Blackstone Edge
	Emerging from the canal tunnel that passes under the main road in Todmorden
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.
	Grayham cresting one of the last hills on the Pennine Bridleway above Littleborough
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
Home Counties Hindhead Hindhead is located about 40 miles south west of London on the Portsmouth road. It's a hilly sandy area with numerous bridleways so providing you don't get sand in your bearings its a great area. It's also the location of one of the last 'simple hostels' in the country, so a couple of members took advantage of the meet to make a weekend of it. We met at the upmarket National Trust café (used to be a greasy spoon until a couple of years ago) overlooking the deep depression known as the Devils Punch Bowl. Leaving the café, our wallets somewhat lighter, we were straight into what is typical scenery for the area, a mixture of woodland and open country made all the more enjoyable by the heather and gorse in bloom. This is an area rich in historical associations and I had passed one of them on my way to the meeting point. A memorial to the drunken sailor who was robbed whilst on his way back to his ship in Portsmouth. The murderers were captured and hung on a nearby hill, which is called Gibbet Hill. Here there were superb views towards the North Downs, which very neatly hides the sprawling mass of London. Due to the Foot and Mouth restrictions to the north we concentrated on an area south west of Hindhead, between Headley and Grayshott. Richly wooded we passed by old Hammer Ponds (a relic of this area's industrial past). Then to Waggoner's Well and out to open common land with superb views towards Blackdown Hill and the South Downs. Apart from dog walkers there was no one out, a consequence of the dire weather forecast - we had no rain all day. After lunch near Beacon Hill we headed north for some lane riding back by Elstead. Steve Griffith
	Shropshire - Caer Caradoc in the background
Northern Peak & South Pennine August 2007: Chapel en le Frith We arrived at Chapel en le Frith only to find my tyre splitting in the centre of the tread. This was a fairly new Kendo with a tread that is almost unworn! Nothing for it but to return home, change the tyre and ride from Hadfield, This we did, along with new member Neal. We made the circuit of Longdendale on a baking hot day. At Crowden we followed a new section of trail signed as "Northern Horse Route". This now makes it possible to follow the entire south side of the valley off road from Tintwistle to the summit of the A628 a distance of about 9 miles. Along here I had a puncture so the tube was replaced and then we sat and lunched in the sun. Reaching the summit we descended rapidly to the Woodhead Tunnel and returned along the Trans Pennine Trail, taking in a couple of detours around Valehouse and Bottoms reservoirs. A beautiful day, but after all the rains it seems churlish now to complain about the heat! John Kemp
	Hilary Thorp: Irfon Fords at the bottom of the Devil's Staircase, Wales
Home Counties Llamas and horse drawn traps... This was a joint ride of the Rough Stuff Fellowship [RSF] and the Cyclists Touring Club [CTC]. Most RSF members tend to be in the CTC as well so there was quite an overlap of memberships. The weather forecast was changeable and so it proved. It was raining when we assembled at the Brown Box Café in Harpenden, sunny shortly after we set off , raining again soon afterwards and so it continued all day. Most of us ended up keeping our waterproofs on as it seemed to start raining again whenever we took them off. The ride began by going though the grounds of Rothamstead agricultural research station, passing the oldest agricultural field trial in the country which has been going since 1843. We emerged onto the roads and soon passed a house which had llamas in its grounds. We looked at the llamas, they looked at us. I don't know who were more surprised. After crossing an unpleasant roundabout on the A5, we arrived at Flamstead. We'd had to change our lunch arrangements as our original pub gave us a choice only of roasts so instead some ate their sandwiches admiring the view of the church while others ate in "The Spotted Dog". After lunch we followed a road along a valley bottom and then a bridle path that took us up to Gaddesden Row. On one of the bridle paths between there and Redbourn we had to pull in to let no fewer than eight horse drawn traps pass. After tea at "The Cricketers", some of us visited the Redbourn Museum, housed in a former silk mill, and then we followed the "Nicky Way", a former railway line, back to Harpenden. Charles Harvey
Vagabonds May 2007: North to Altnabreac George and I took the train from Dundee to Altnabreac Station. Found a fisherman's hut a couple of miles away and "camped" there. Weather was cold, north wind, odd shower. Saturday saw us heading south on good tracks past Lochdhu Hotel (now a private house). Dalnawillian Lodge and out to Braemore. Then on to the A9 to Helmsdale via the Berriedale Braes. After a late lunch we headed north to Kinbrace via Strath Ullie (Strath of Kildonan) along the River Helmsdale. Left at Kinbrace then left onto a track towards Loch Choire Lodge. Found a good bothy (Gearnsary) with fireplace and wood. George can produce a good going fire at the drop of a hat. The weather was cold overnight but we were comfortable. Sunday continued west past Loch Choire Lodge to west end of Loch Choire and a good fire and lunch. Met Bernard and Betty Heath of MBA fame. Travelled on south on a stalking path to Ben Armine Lodge where the keeper and his wife gave us tea and were pleased to have news of Bernard and Betty. (The keeper hails from Kirriemuir!) 7 miles of reasonable track took us to the road at Sciberscross and then to Rogart Station Bunkhouse in old railway carriages. Excellent. 10% discount for cyclists. Next day all we had to do was get to Inverness by 3.15pm. George's encyclopaedic knowledge of highways and byways ensured we stayed off the A9 as much as possible. Saw several groups of cyclists heading for John O'Groats into the cold north wind! We took the Inverness to Aberdeen train, then on to Dundee. I got off at Montrose and cycled home to Kirriemuir. All in all a great trip; thanks to George. Scotrail's cheap over-55 deal was useful. The weather was great, the locals friendly and the views and wildlife superb. Reg Popham
Lancashire Group Newsletter An Open Invitation For the last two years or so on every Saturday we have been having a regular family orientated cycle ride. These rides are suitable for all family members, the distance covered is generally quite short and usually not too hilly! Riders range in age from three years, to, well I'd rather not say. These rides are also appropriate for family members who do not usually participate in RSF events, but would like to get the bike out now and again for a short spin in the company of like minded people. We usually start from a cafe, then ride a few miles to another cafe etc, hence the title of our group 'The Cafe Crawlers'. Informal membership cards have now been issued to this effect! The rides are suitable for all bikes, including cycles with child seats/tag alongs (trailer bikes), child trailers, tandems etc. The routes tend to be mostly off-road, with various start points, usually covering between five to fifteen miles at a quite leisurely pace (or even slower!), with plenty of rest stops. The rides are usually of between two to five hours duration. If you would like to participate on a ride or two ring me on 01254 772983 for the start location of this or any other week's ride, and the intended route etc. Brian Parkinson, Tel 01254 772983.
South Lakes Group A ride to Brigsteer (36.2 miles) We followed our usual route to the morning cafe stop at Farleton View Tearoom via the villages of Burton-in-Kendal, Holme and Farleton where Peter, Barrie and James left us to head for home. After our morning brew we followed various lanes through Deepthwaite, Greenside and Hincaster down to the River Kent near Sedgwick where we cross over River Kent via the footbridge at Wilson Place. Then we headed up Nannypie Lane and followed the lanes passed the Heaves Hotel before following Parkend Lane towards Brigsteer after about mile we followed the bridleway over to Briggs House Farm. At Briggs House Farm we followed the road down to Low House where we followed the bridleway to Shenstone, stopping on the way beside the track for some lunch. After lunch we continue down the track to Shenstone where we followed the A6 into Kendal and then we headed out of Kendal on Natland Road, in Natland we followed the bridleway over Larkrigg Hall Bridge down to Wilson Place, where we followed the lanes through Hincaster, Viver, Stainton Bridge End and Woodlands back to Farleton View Tearoom for afternoon brew. After putting the world to right in the cafe, we followed the lanes through Farleton and Holme back to the cars parked at Tewitfield. Download GPS data in GPX format. To find out where we're going next check forthcoming events page and don’t forget to post comment on our forum or in our Photo Guest Book. Also checkout the What’s New Page to see what’s new on the site and you can also signup for site's free weekly newsletter.
	the footbridge across the River Kent at Sedgwick
	looking back towards Levens on the bridleway up to Brigsteer
	the Lancaster Canal from Yealand Road Bridge near Burton-in-Kendal