Twelve brave souls showed up at Digley Car Park on Wednesday to explore the challenging topography of Holmfirth’s countryside. Three of our more experienced (and wiser) riders chose a leisurely morning’s adventure on the high ground directly above Holmfirth known as “Cliff”. The remaining nine chose to warm up with some brisk pedalling up to the A635 “Isle of Skye” Road (so called after the long- gone Isle of Skye pub, ask Sol he’s got picture of it). Crossing over we rattled down Harden Moss Road, passing the caravan in need of TLC for a nut-loosening mile. As the Rough-Stuff saying goes - what goes down must go up! So it was that the next leg of the adventure took us back up to the Isle of Skye Road on Magdalene Road thwarted by nasty terrain, heather smoke and a chain break for one of our number, masterfully repaired by John H. Back onto The Isle of Skye for a few yards before dropping down onto Springs Road bridleway for over 2 miles of downhillish fun, with views over to Black Hill, Holme Moss and Digley Reservoir. Conveniently, by the end of this stretch it was 11.40am and a steady 20 minute ride (including faff factor) till the lunch stop opened at noon.
Lunch was at The Bridge Inn in Holmbridge where apparently John Kemp had his bachelor party. We must assume that things have changed since then, but you’d have to ask John about that. Fortified by the Bridge’s fare - sandwiches, but not ones that can be easily eaten with one hand, we winched our way up Acre Lane, skirted Cartworth Moor and Snailsden Moss, arriving gratefully at the gateway to Holme Styes Wood. Then a thrilling and well earned bit of downhill to Hades (Hell) - a clever bit of stone work tells you so, and onto Elysium (Heaven) - a farm that hides its paradisical qualities well. All way down on Cartworth Moor Road and Dunsley Track, Roger G inserting a cheeky little bit of off road at the end to take us back into Holmfirth.
Getting us back to Digley was never going to be flat or downhill, so with some guidance from Roger again I went for “the big up and stay up” option - not popular with everyone at this stage, Phil S did bring into doubt the marital status of my parents at my conception at one point. But up we went, Modd Lane, Binns Lane and the aptly named Hill, eventually flattened off round the back of and through Upperthong. Soon it was back over The Isle of Skye Road, for the final time dropping down to Digley.
Hope everyone who attended enjoyed the day, I know I did.
Have a look at some Flickr photos and videos:
Map of a great route below:
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