There are 280 guestbook entries in 12 pages and you are on page number 7 |
| Comments by
bill comer
on
28 October 2005 at 00:00 |
IP Logged |
|
Ian,
any chance you could email me the Tracklogs
tracklog for the Cowpe Loop.
cheers
PS I was one of the guys who met you on the MTL by night ride. |
| uk |
|
Hi bill, yes I will knock one up for you. Just got back from my hols, sorry for the delayed reply,
Ian.
|
|
| Comments by
Steve
on
08 October 2005 at 00:00 |
IP Logged |
|
Ian,
Nice to see some local rides. A group of us ride the Hambledon loop regularly but have never tried the Cowpe Loop. Do you have a mapping of the ride or some grid refs. Description looks excellent but tried to follow on map it looks like it may get tricky around the cowe loop area with the no of trials up there.
Any help you could give would be appreciated.
Many Thanks Keep The Site Going
Steve |
| England |
|
"Ok thanks Steve, I will try to sort out a map for you, and all. atb, ian."
|
|
| |
| Do you ever rie round Daren??Will happily escorte |
| uk |
|
Yes I do, mostly over the tower, Tockholes and Sunnyhurst, new routes would be welcome, ian.
|
|
| Comments by
JimTaylor
on
24 September 2005 at 00:00 |
IP Logged |
|
Attemted yhe MTL yesterday 23 Sept 05. Myself and work colleague Simaon Dale. The plan was to ride the full 48 miles in the day.
Took the train from Wigan to Walsden (nearest point on the trail) and after a couple of weeks dry waether, arrived in Walsden to find it raining. It conrinued to rain for the nest 2/3 hours, making life that little more less pleasent - but we were on our bikes so what the heck.
within 1/2 mile of the station we were on the MTL route and were we in for a surprise - the climb up to Summit proved too wet and slippy despite our 2.2 tyres.
The heavy rain continued and we decided at this rate it was going to be along day.
Having missed a right turn we found ourselves in Littlebotugh rather than on the MTL. This was recovered via the village of Wardle. We continued onto Broadley but yet again missed the signage and spent a good 1/2 hour in Whitworth searching for the route - despite having the OS and the offical NT guide to the Pennine Bridleway in our bags. The continual rainfall caused a certain resistance to get these guides to sodden.
The route was again found and the next challenge was up Rooley Moor and on to Top of Leach. A hard slog not made any easier by the wet conditions (in dry and bright conditions this will be a much more enjoyable challenge). However, the drop down into Waterfoot is not for the faint hearted, it is steep and needs to be ridden but ensure your brakes are in good order.
It was by now lunch time and the fish and chip shop in the centre of waterfoot (turn left on the A6066) is worth a visit. Suitably refreshed we set off towards Lumb a pretty uneventful stretch until the drop down over Deerplay into Holmes Chapel - again this needs to ridden and brakes which are in good order.
Made our way round to Holmes Chapel and faced the climb up to Long causeway. at this stage in the ride, this climb felt the hardest of the day.
By the time we arrived at long causeway it was close to 3.00pm and still another 20+ miles to go. We had previously worked out an escape route if time was running out - this was to p/u the road at Long Causeway and make our way back to Walsden on tarmac rather than on the off-road route.
The use of Long Causeway and the drop into Todmorden and then along the Rochdale canal allowed a more relaxed ride back to the train station at Walsden.
On reflection, the MTL is a classic ride but is not for the casual rider. There are some tough climbs but equally some great downhill bits. Although we didn't get to finish the complete ride in the day, we shall be back next year during early summer determined to cover the full route in one day.
With regard to signposting, this appeared to be a bit hit and miss - excellent in some areas less so in others.
There is no doubt in my mind the MTL will become a classic ride. |
| England |
|
Wow Jim, sound like you had a tough time out there, bad luck with the rain. Sometimes It makes good sense to bail out while you have the chance and you chose your route wisely. Im sure you will make it next time.
Ian.
|
|
| Comments by
tracy miller
on
09 September 2005 at 00:00 |
IP Logged |
|
| I have to write something - you have a gun at my head!!!!!! |
| England |
|
sorry about resorting to violence Tracy, but its for your own good!
|
|
| |
| Hi Ian,completed the loop yesterday with my good lady wife in 10 1/2 hours.Fantastic weather all day,started at 0945 finished at 2015 as the sun was sinking behind Holcombe.Started from Lumb near old peoples homes and only managed to get lost twice,once just before Jack bridge and secondly at Calder brook.We rode clockwise.Quote of the day"how many days are you taking to ride it?"-and we thought we were slow!I`m 45 wife is 41,we ride lots round Darwen but nothing as long! |
| Darwen |
|
Thanks Eddie, well done, your the same age as me! What superb weather, and a great epic ride. Hope to see you out there, Ian.
|
|
| |
Hey Great Page!!
Fast to load, but multimedia in it.Very nice. Good Job. :D
I liked the Pictures of Accrington. Whew I never thought I miss that place. I have to come for a visit one day And see what has changed.
Please put more Pictures on Ian!
I bookmarked this great Page and will explore it loser :)
Thanks for this Great page. |
| Germany |
|
Good to hear from you Peter. It was a pleasure to work with you. Hope to see you again. atb,
Ian.
|
|
| Comments by
Routemartin
on
29 June 2005 at 00:00 |
IP Logged |
|
5hrs 00mins Mary Towneley Challenge!
Now thats what I call fast time, Ian! is it your PB?
Think I need to do some more training to keep up!
Might try the industrial fells super loop this August 100-120 miles! |
| Rochdale |
|
Yes its a PB, everything went well, No punctures, just a few cramp attacks in the last 10 miles. Most of the training has been 70-80 mile road rides on my MTB. like Riding to Ribblehead and Lancaster from home. "120 mile super loop, good grief!" I need a rest! atb, Ian.
|
|
| Comments by
Simon
on
20 June 2005 at 00:00 |
IP Logged |
|
Ian,
I set off 1600 on Friday afternoon, camped at Widdop, and was in the butchers at Waterfoot buying a huge steak by 1500 Saturday. I did cheat and cut an odd corner here and there as befits a pedestrian....
I've just popped over Cowpe and down to Healey Dell this evening, and it's drying out fast - if we get no rain before Sunday I think we'll see some fast times for the Harrier's day on the 26th. Sadly, I can't play that day as I have to pick mum and dad up from the airport, but might see the starters off, and see some of them home again. |
| Scout Bottom (fnurr) |
|
Well done Simon, I bet that steak was good! Its certanly drying out as I did the loop on Sat night with The Industrial fell bikers. We had rain on Sunday, but I hope the weather now holds out. Might see you at the start then.
atb,
ian.
|
|
| Comments by
Simon
on
19 June 2005 at 00:00 |
IP Logged |
|
Ian,
just walked the route clockwise as a recce for a one day cycling thing. Conditions underfoot/undertyre have improved greatly since the winter, and some missing signposts have been repaired/restored. Another week of sunshine and I think you'll be lucky too see any mud, let alone puddles....
Many thanks for your inspiration! |
| Scout Bottom, Waterfoot |
|
Simon, Thanks for the feedback, well done. Did you walk it all 47 miles in one day? That would be quite an achievment! how long did that take? I agree it only takes a few days without rain for the whole route to be dry.
|
|
| Comments by
Routemartin
on
17 June 2005 at 00:00 |
IP Logged |
|
| Saturday night 18th June
KO Healey Dell/Broadley at 7.00pm
Refuel stop at Mankinholes.
Campfire and beer before the last down hill courtesy of the Industrial Fell Bikers.
Hope you can still make this! it will be a first!
industrial.fellbiking@zen.co.uk
Lancashire England |
| Lancashire England |
|
Weather looks good Martin, just the small mater of getting the Family Bar B Q out of the way. I will cycle to Healey corner and leave you lot at Crown Point, to make my final accent, the back end of Hamledon. Should get home 1.30 - 2.00am
|
|
| Comments by
Chris Peat
on
09 June 2005 at 00:00 |
IP Logged |
|
| Great site. I wrote the guide to the Mary Towneley Loop. I worked with Mary for many years on bridleway issues. Just a small point -for the sake of her family can you change her title. She should be called, "Mary, Lady Towneley", not Lady Mary Towneley. |
| England |
|
Thanks for that Chris. I would have loved to have known her, she must have been quite an inspiration.
|
|
| Comments by
ian leedam
on
17 May 2005 at 00:00 |
IP Logged |
|
Good advice for the training for the loop. Living in Burnley we (fellow mt/bikers) have to bag this one this summer. We have so far broken the loop into 3 sections, Todmorden to Waterfoot, Waterfoot to Widdop and the rest. It's a ride for the fitter of off roaders, definately and like you say the fitter you are the more enjoyable the better. That climb up from Holme Chapel to the causeway is a real killer (we did it in
March so under tyre was boggey). |
| uk |
|
Thanks Ian, good luck with the ride this Summer, you only need a couple of days without rain and its all systems go!
|
|
| Comments by
charlie
on
30 April 2005 at 00:00 |
IP Logged |
|
| thanks for these - I've been looking on tinterweb for routes around Lancs for a while. |
| england |
|
Its a pleasure Charlie, I just wish I had more time to put some extra routes on.
|
|
| Comments by
David
on
02 March 2005 at 00:00 |
IP Logged |
|
| Hello Ian, Janice, and all.........thought i would drop you a line to see if things are still good. Ian, i have recently downloaded a programme from the download.com web site which is superb as a babysitter, controller and improver of your PC and it goes by the name of tune up utilities. After trialing the programme free for several months ( re : formatting my PC on a monthly basis so that it remained at no cost) i purchased it and it remains the best and most frequently used programme that i have...Kind regards - David. |
| eng |
|
Things still good hear dave, and the same to you. Im sure download.com would be proud of you! I wonder what next years theme will be?
Cant wait..
|
|
| |
| hi ian,just finished looking at some of the most beautiful pictures that you have taken on your cycling trips,they really are spectacular,i am feeling rather homesick after viewing these.i have been living in istanbul for the past yr,but hoping to return to england sometime in march,its funny as a child you take all of our beautiful countryside for granted,and now i just want to come back and explore all of these places.a very happy new year love and best wishes catherine stephenson. |
| istanbul turkey |
|
Great to hear from you again Catherine, your right, we do take our countryside for granted. Hope to see you in March, keep in touch,
Ian
|
|
| |
News update! The Mary Towneley Loop Mountain bike Challenge, Sunday 26th June. Details and entry form will be on our club website soon....pass the word, Graham.
http://www.rossendaleharriers.co.uk/ |
| England |
|
You heard it folks! If you want to take part in this very well run,47 mile cross country MTB ride, with over 2000 meters of climbing. Get on your bikes and get some training in.
|
|
| Comments by
tim
on
27 January 2005 at 00:00 |
IP Logged |
|
hi ian hope all is well over your end
me and key doing ok key still under the knife
but getting there
hope you had good xmas
mail us soon |
|
|
Great Christmas thanks Tim, and the same to you. Hows the college course?
|
|
| Comments by
nigel austin
on
26 January 2005 at 00:00 |
IP Logged |
|
| thankyou |
| west yorkshire |
|
no problem
|
|
| Comments by
Alison Watts
on
27 December 2004 at 00:00 |
IP Logged |
|
A VERY GOOD SITE, NICE TO SEE lANCASHIRE AGAIN. NORWICH IS A NICE PLACE TO LIVE,BUT VERY FLAT AND I MISS THE HILLS, BUT NOT WHEN I'M CYCLING.
WHEN'S THE NEXT REUNION? |
| England(Norfolk) |
|
Thanks Alison, I will ask jimmy if he is intending on organising another. In fact im sure he will be pleased to hear from you. Why not e-mail him.
|
|
| Comments by
on
23 December 2004 at 00:00 |
IP Logged |
|
| Thanks Ian for my new PC so far so good. Merry Christmas & a happy new year. Neil
|
|
|
All the best to you Neil, job done.
Ian
|
|
| |
fantastic Ian first time i have been on your site but i was looking for the club site but got you instead, nice to see images of my favorite rides
see ya man! |
| east lancashire |
|
Glad you liked it Graham, thank you,
Ian.
|
|
| Comments by
Routemartin
on
07 December 2004 at 00:00 |
IP Logged |
|
Thanks for the routes. 1:25000 excellent scale what mapping software are you using?
Will hopefully try one soon, but I need to discuss the FP/BW situation.
Ben Reedy as arranged a ride on 28/12
Here's the link
http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/read.php?f=2&i=1464676&t=1463037#reply_1464676
|
| england |
|
I get my maps from the Ordnance Survey Get-a-map service, on their website.
I copy and paste them into Photoshop. I could meet you out there at Darwen Tower, and ride back over here if you want. Thanks for the link, I will contact Ben if I fancy it.
Ian.
|
|
| Comments by
lynda holmes
on
06 December 2004 at 00:00 |
IP Logged |
|
| Hello all you out there. I lived in Accrington for 17yrs (1951-1968) and i went to st. christophers secondary school. My maiden name then was Watson and i lived in the queensway area nr church does anyone know me? |
| ENGLAND. |
|
Ok, does anyone know Lynda Watson? Where do you live now Lynda? ps I work at St Christophers School.
atb,
ian.
|
|
|
