Never cast a cla't until May is out, couldn't be truer today. We arrived at the starting point in the National Trust Car Park at Marsden to find Malcolm sat in his car trying to keep warm.
A bit surprisingly, because of the dull cold windy morning, we set off from the car park with nine riders five ladies (four from over t'ill, at Saddleworth) and four men. This was quickly evened up when late arrival Phil caught us up as we climbed the Wessenden valley.
The Wessenden valley is one of those places which are attractive whatever the weather.
The party of riders steadily made their way up stopping to admire the views of the three reservoirs and get their breath back.
Arriving at the top we then started the long decent down to Springs Road. This bridleway was an access to quarry workings. The road is made of two strips of large stones. These have been deeply rutted by heavy carts that would have been drawn along it. This can make for some interesting and testing riding. Eventually, we turned back on ourselves onto a smoother bridleway and dropped down to just above Diggle reservoir.
Having dropped downhill, being the Pennines you have to pay the price, we started the last climb before lunch up Acre Lane to join the bridleway Harden Moss Road, which dropped us nicely into Meltham and to Ivy's cafe where Roger joined us for lunch.
As the recent weather has been dry we arrived at Ivy's nice and clean not in our usual state of looking like mud wrestlers.
Written by John Hitchen.
In the afternoon Roger joined us and led us over the moors back to Marsden:
From the Ivy House Cafe, climbing out of Meltham on Colders Lane towards Leygards Lane, then up to a photo opportunity at the Waterfall on Brow Grains Dike.
Cycling around Deer Hill Reservoir for the superb views back to Meltham Cop and Castle Hill. Then using the Conduit for an easy transfer over Marsden Moor towards Butterley Reservoir.
Dropping back to Marsden Centre where some of us went into Crumbals on the Corner Cafe for a post ride brew and cake.
Roger Griffiths
Irene's photos can be viewed on Flickr here:
{gpxtrackmap}/rslnewton/gpxtracks/wessenden2018.gpx{/gpxtrackmap}