2020 Littleborough, Hebden Bridge and Whalley
Tuesday 2nd June 2020
Cycling Blackstone Edge Reservoir from Littleborough, Mytholm Steeps to Eastwood from Hebden Bridge, Extwistle Moor from Hebden Bridge and Whalley Nab from Whalley,south of Clitheroe
Drove M6 to junction 23A then M62 for Huddersfield and Leeds. At second junction (junction 12) left turn, still on M62 Huddersfield and Leeds. Continued to Junction 21 for Milnrow and Rochdale on A663. A right turn at major crossroads for Bellfield, Buckley, Smallbridge to Littleborough. Estimate 2 hours from home (09.00 – 11.00) Park up in Station Road, Littleborough and cycled A58 Blackstone Edge Reservoir signposted Halifax to Ripponden, 1 hour – 12.00. Returned back down to the car then drove through Todmorden to Hebden Bridge. 1 hour - 13.00 Parked free at the car park in the town as pandemic resulted in far less traffic and local council was encouraging people to visit or perhaps parking was now free as most people were locals. Met a traffic warden who caught me looking at the car parking payment machine who said, “Don’t bother mate, it’s a free for all today” It was a very warm day and a passer-by saw me putting my bike together for the ride and advised I take plenty to drink as it was going to be a scorcher – and it really was. Cycled on a hot ride up the steep 25%+ Mytholm - Church Road - Rawtenstall Bank just to the west of Hebden Bridge. Very steep up behind church at Mytholm Steeps with a series of bends passing the houses and then through the woods and eventually reached Blackshaw Head to junction coming from the right from Heptonstall. The top is at Eastwood Road and last time I was here earlier in the year the road was enveloped in thick winter fog. How different it was today with bright blue cloudless sky, a heat haze and Stoodley Pike over to the south. This is an obelisk that was erected to commemorate the victory of Waterloo. At Eastwood Road I was at the top but then took this road down through Staups Moor and heading for Great Rock but first a diversion for Todmorden along Broad Lane and Hey Head Lane and steeply down Cross Stone Road and back up Cross Stone Road, a steep way up from Todmorden and followed this back to Eastwood Lane past the giant stone outcrop and over to Staups Lane back to Blackshaw Head and return down Rawtenstall Bank to Hebden Bridge 2 hours – 17.00. Took a left at the pub and traffic lights steeply up immediately and headed for Heptonstall. Passing Heptonstall then took second right at Slack for Widdop, Extwistle Moor and Burnley. Past Hardcastle Crag, a deep valley, popular for walkers that culminates at a stone bridge over Hebden Beck at Midgehole and one of the steepest sections of road heading for Extwistle Moor as it climbs away from the beck.The road then follows Hebden Beck, crossing it at Blake Dean and continues ever up past Giddop Reservoir then the larger Widdop Reservoir, reaching the top by Rigging Stones. Returned back from Extwistle Moor through the cobbled streets of the village and back to the car, 2 hours – 15.00. Bought a cider from the Co-op and needed it! My driving route was now through Todmorden on A646 to Padiham, then left on A671 Clitheroe road. 1 hour – 19.30 and left turn into Whalley and parked up. Cycled Whalley Nab, left then left again immediately over the river bridge on Moor Lane and steeply up (25%) through the woods – Painter Wood and Nab Side Farm to tower at top. No indication at the top but it’s by a five-barred gate on the right! 1 hour – 20.30 Return home on A59 Preston and M6 1 hour 21.30