We returned to the trails
and only had a little more
climbing left. At the top it
was time to get our
descending heads on for
the 4mile descent back
into Hebden Bridge. We
dropped into the valley
on doubletrack,
singletrack, grass and
loose rocks, enjoying
every bit of speed.
Definitely a great way
finish and almost as good
as the sunshine and beer
that greeted us back in
Hebden Bridge.
and only had a little more
climbing left. At the top it
was time to get our
descending heads on for
the 4mile descent back
into Hebden Bridge. We
dropped into the valley
on doubletrack,
singletrack, grass and
loose rocks, enjoying
every bit of speed.
Definitely a great way
finish and almost as good
as the sunshine and beer
that greeted us back in
Hebden Bridge.
| |||||||||
The rain was heavy in Hebden Bridge and it brought back memories of a previous ride at the Marin Trail.
Steve and me had sat parked next to each other waiting for the rain to stop on that occasion as well. We
waited by ourselves in the car park, thinking of the people who had looked through their curtains that
morning and stayed in bed. As nice as the thought was we were looking forward to the ride. And so was
Ken, who arrived just as we started to get our kit ready. So that made three.
Steve and me had sat parked next to each other waiting for the rain to stop on that occasion as well. We
waited by ourselves in the car park, thinking of the people who had looked through their curtains that
morning and stayed in bed. As nice as the thought was we were looking forward to the ride. And so was
Ken, who arrived just as we started to get our kit ready. So that made three.
| Ken and Steve starting the first climb |
It wasn’t windy or cold and by the time we started riding the rain had almost stopped. The waterproofs
came off on the loose, rocky climb out of the valley. It was just too warm. After a long climb we made it to
the top of the first descent for a fast rocky blast down to the Lower Gorple Reservoir. Steve and me had a
blast while Ken admitted he didn't enjoy hanging on while getting bounced about. The cause was no
rebound damping. The adjustment was internal so there was nothing to do but ride around the problem for
the day.
came off on the loose, rocky climb out of the valley. It was just too warm. After a long climb we made it to
the top of the first descent for a fast rocky blast down to the Lower Gorple Reservoir. Steve and me had a
blast while Ken admitted he didn't enjoy hanging on while getting bounced about. The cause was no
rebound damping. The adjustment was internal so there was nothing to do but ride around the problem for
the day.
| Riding through the loose rocks further up the climb |
| Climbing from Jack Bridge under a grim sky |
After crossing our first
dam of the ride I tried to
kill myself. To avoid a
huge puddle I switched
lanes on the double
track. What at first
seemed a great idea
soon went wrong as my
front wheel found the
boggy ruts hidden by the
grass in the middle.
Steve and Ken backed
off to watch me wave my
leg about as I fought for
balance. Steve bought
the beers at the end of
dam of the ride I tried to
kill myself. To avoid a
huge puddle I switched
lanes on the double
track. What at first
seemed a great idea
soon went wrong as my
front wheel found the
boggy ruts hidden by the
grass in the middle.
Steve and Ken backed
off to watch me wave my
leg about as I fought for
balance. Steve bought
the beers at the end of
| Ken and Steve descending to the Lower Gorple Reservoir |
| Climbing on Heptonstall Moor |
the ride so must have lost their bet, I
stayed upright.
We made it up the steep climb from
Widdop Resevoir and down the fast rocky
descent to on the other side before the
heavens opened again. It didn’t last long
but it was definitely wet. Good for the
reservoirs not so much for us. At least out
in the open, on the start of the return leg,
there was a tail wind. With a gentle push in
the back the road section flew by.
stayed upright.
We made it up the steep climb from
Widdop Resevoir and down the fast rocky
descent to on the other side before the
heavens opened again. It didn’t last long
but it was definitely wet. Good for the
reservoirs not so much for us. At least out
in the open, on the start of the return leg,
there was a tail wind. With a gentle push in
the back the road section flew by.
| Crossing the Widdop Reservoir Dam |
Climbing away from
Widdop Reservoir
Widdop Reservoir
| Ken and Steve starting the descent from Black Moor |
| Getting a good soaking halfway round |
| Steve getting even wetter |
| Ken climbing to Coal Clough windfarm |
| Ken heading to the top of the final climb |
| Ken and Steve at the halfway point of the final, 4mile descent |
| Ken near the end of a great descent |
