RSF - The Off Road Cycling Club

The Adventure Starts Here

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Even with rain forecast for most of the day fifteen intrepid Saddistes assembled at the Lime Kiln for our annual summer outing to Hollingworth Lake - well we would have been 16 had newcomer Keith managed to bring all his bike with him in the car!  Never mind we look forward to initiating him in the ways of the Saddistes next month!

 

So in fine weather we set off down the Delph Donkey, through the village and alongside Hull Brook before crossing the dam of Castleshaw Reservoir and embarking on the first big climb of the day - Low Gate Road. We all made it up in our own fashion though the electric boys had a decided advantage!  On from there alongside Broadhead Noddle then a straight fast plunge down to the next valley at Dowry reservoir.

 

So began the next big climb of the day up Dowry Road and the first indications of rain.  By the time we reached the top the rain had become Peter Kay rain - that fine rain that really wets you!  Thence on to the junction with Rapes Highway and a lovely descent past Readycon Dean reservoir to hit Ripponden Road just above the Ram’s Head which evoked teenage memories for many of us of pints in there brought from the cellar in enamel jugs - flat as dishwater but the novelty was enough to keep us coming back!

 

As the rain intensified it was decision time - press on to Hollingworth Lake with one more tough climb or settle for lunch, after the best descent in Saddleworth, at the Bull’s Head in the little known hamlet of Ogden.  The call of lunch won and after a quick preparatory phone call to the pub we made our way down the Pennine Bridleway then along Piethorn, Kitcliffe and Ogden reservoirs to disturb the peace of the lunchtime diners in the pub.

 

The landlady was most accommodating and the beer and food welcome, wholesome and cheap!  It was gratifying to find that she shared our incredulity at Eric’s insistence on gravy with the fish, chips and peas!

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After lunch with little sign of the rain abating we set off back up the road to Higher Ogden and then up a very steep, rough and washed-away track to meet the Denshaw Road at Cherry Top Farm.  The road descent past the mysterious antique shop, tearooms, and bar of Barney’s where there never seem to be any customers.  (Note to self - factor in a lunch stop for one of the Saddos to solve the mystery!) is always fast and fun.

 

Given the weather we took a rather unadventurous route back, avoiding the main road to Delph by taking the older roads of Slack Gate Lane, Tame Lane and Slack Lane.  All that remained was a return trip along the Donkey back to Brownhills where most of us dispersed to dry off.

 

Well done to everyone for remaining ridiculously cheerful in the face of ridiculous summer weather.  Perhaps we ought to schedule Hollingworth Lake for a February Saddo!

 

See you all next month for our annual South Pennine Walk and Ride event - two half day mainly flat rides suitable for beginners with lunch back at the Lime Kiln so if you know anyone who might enjoy that, please encourage them along. 

 

Some more photos can be viewed on Flickr here: