Longdendale Advice for Tomorrow!

Noizetek

Ok so as some of you may already know I have now been cycling again for just over a month or so and steadily notching up the mileage and getting (slightly) more confident. Tomorrow (Sunday 7th Feb) I am going to do my first "serious" ride, so I am off upto the local trail which is the Longdendale Trail from Hadfield up to Woodhead tunnel...

What I wanted to do was just follow the trail from Hadfield onwards, but then on the way back venture a little off the beaten path (I believe there are some good routes coming back as I have seen on the web) but also remembering I am a beginner and this will be the first time taking the bike off-road proper. Any tips/routes/places you can suggest? Also I know I am probably going to sh*t myself first time round going over gnarly terrain, so what are good confidence boosters to get you over "the fear" and just go for it? I ride a Kona Blast Deluxe 08.

sniper68

How'd you get on mate?
My general advice would be take it steady,if in doubt get off and walk/have a look first!The techy stuff can be a bit daunting at 1st but get easier and more enjoyable as your bike handling skills progress 8) You WILL fall off and your confidence will be dented but don't be put off,as time goes on it will get to be more or less 2nd nature.

Enjoy

Noizetek

Sorry I meant Sunday the 8th March! Cheers for the advice!

sniper68

My mate did it last year on a CX with panniers as part of the Trans-Pennine Trail route.You should be OK on a MTB 8) Weather looks ok aswell which is always a bonus 8)

stumpyjon

Biggest problem on the Longendale Trail is the bl**dy wind from experience, really tends to blow one way or the other. Just take it slowly on the techy stuff, the rest of us have when we learnt (still do when I'm feeling like a wuss). Just get out and ride and remember speed is your friend (within reason), go too slow and you'll bottle it or be gauranteed to fall off, go a bit faster and you'll improve the odds of clearing the obstacle, it's more about confidence and commitment than skill to start with. Small print disclaimer below, and have fun.

That said I take no responsibilty for any broken bones, smashed bikes or loss of earnings howsoever caused if this advice is followed.

Noizetek

Ha! Cheers Stumpy!...unfortunatley it looks like I will have to wait till Monday to go out as both the kids are ill as hell and the other half was like "if you think you are going out today and leaving me with this, then I may kill you" so I heeded her words. :P

Still gonna go for small ride though...

stumpyjon

I'm in the same boat, missus and both kids down with colds, my excuse was I had to get out to avoid catching it, went trail building though rather than riding though.

Noizetek

Went out for a small (8 mile) circuit and was battered by the weather severley, wind, rain, then hailstone and snow!! Came home absolutley p*ss wet through but with a huge grin on my face, it seemed to urge me on to ride stronger, and was probably the best buzz I have had from going out on a ride yet, looking forward to Longdendale later on.

ratty2k

We did Jacobs ladder in that lot yesterday! :twisted: Just part of it [the weather], provided you have the right gear on so you dont get cold. Also, have a look round Ladybower, some nice easy trails around the reservoir itself, and some more challenging stuff once you feel up to it not far away either.