Gisburn

The Northern Monkey

I will... most definately... be riding Gisburn this weekend. No matter what

sparrowlegs78

We are going at some point this weekend if i have to drag my hubby there kicking and screaming
I know it won't be Sunday tho unless we go after dinnertime.
Caz xxx

The Northern Monkey

Well i'll probably be there saturday, so if you see a lad looking confused as hell as to where to go.... that'll be moi

sparrowlegs78

And if you see a merlin malt 2 stuffed in a hedge, that'll be me misjudging things again lol
Caz xx

r3 guy

I only wish there was better parking. If you don't get there early you struggle to find a spot. A nice bunch of lads helped push my car out of the mud hole that I had parked in

The Northern Monkey

Bugger

I don't get up till well after 10 at the weekend

Anyone have a satnav postcode for le'parc ala auto at Gisburn? I've got lat/long directions but i don't know how accutate it'll be lmao!

tony_m

BD23 4SQ is the code for the Dog & Partridge at Tosside - that's the blue pint pot at the right hand side of the famous stumpyjon GPS map I posted earlier in the thread. You can park at the D&P (pub/cafe, great food and drink, free bike wash) then head into the forest along Bailey Lane and follow the route from there (turn left at the t-junction to do the bottom loop first, or carry straight on for the top loop).

Alternatively if you head back towards Clitheroe from the D&P you'll come to a crossroads, with Gisburn Forest signposted to the right. Head up there, and you'll soon reach Cocklet Hill car park (though if you're going to be arriving any time after about 9:30am at the latest, chances are it'll be full!!!). On the map, it's right at the bottom at the end of the wee stub.

Hope this helps, have fun!!!

The Northern Monkey

tony_m
Cheers fella, I think its the Cocklet Carpark I have the lat/long for

I take it that the D&P don't mind MTB'ers using their carpark then?
i'm going to get soooo lost

stumpyjon

They actively encourage it. The pub is very biker friendly, sells Hope bits and pieces and the landlord built a lot of the DH stuff in the forest. Trouble is their carpark isn't massive either so you need to be there early or end up parking on the road.

Very recommended for a post ride / mid ride pint / snackette. The pub itself is no more than a (leisurely) 10 minute ride from the trail. Just before the quarry, after the steep hill on the broken fireroad turn right (not left to the quarry) and you'll soon be at the pub, can't miss it. Alternatively coming from the pub, just follow the dirt lane that leaves the tarmac road at the entrance to the pub carpark and in a bout 10 mins you'll be on the trails.

Mancunianfightingcat

There's a community centre/village hall opposite the pub, it has a fairly decent sized car park, but I'm not sure if there'd be issues if you park there.

sparrowlegs78

Sounds like we'll be parking on the road near Cocklett Hill then
Tosside is the wrong end of Gisburn for us.
Caz xx

Mancunianfightingcat

sparrowlegs78 wrote:

Sounds like we'll be parking on the road near Cocklett Hill then
Tosside is the wrong end of Gisburn for us.
Caz xx

Tosside is only about a mile and a half away from the cross roads where you turn down to Cocklet Hill?! :?

The Northern Monkey

Outlook for Saturday to Monday:

Mainly dry, cold and bright on Saturday, though possibly showery at first across Cheshire and Manchester, with hill snow. Fine and chilly through Sunday and Monday, with overnight frost.

Yay

Father Faff

bigbenj_08 wrote:

Outlook for Saturday to Monday:

Mainly dry, cold and bright on Saturday, though possibly showery at first across Cheshire and Manchester, with hill snow. Fine and chilly through Sunday and Monday, with overnight frost.


Oooh, I do like a bit of riding in t'snow!

The Northern Monkey

Can I just ask... hows Gisburn for signage?

I'm kinda apprehensive about going, its gonna be my 1st solo ride so i'm kinda thinking about a trek upto Whinlatter instead because I know the trail + know I won't get lost!

I have herd a few mutterings that Gisburn isn't that well waymarked

Father Faff

Yep you will almost certainly get lost and die.

r3 guy

signage is fine, i have had no problems

The Northern Monkey

I've been close to the death part a few times while riding... why not get lost in the process

dave_hill

bigbenj_08 wrote:

I have herd a few mutterings that Gisburn isn't that well waymarked

It isn't. But all you need to do is follow the hordes of other people that will be there...

Father Faff

I always find that the North York Moors are badly waymarked as well. And Ilkley Moor. And Scotland.

thekickingmule

bigbenj_08
I'm thinking of going tomorrow morning, will probably get there around 10. I've never been before either, but am pretty confident that I won't get lost (it's usually pretty hard when you're following other bike tracks )
If you're there, or if anybody else is there, look out for me on a black hardtail, blue helmet and brown Mule camelbak and say hello

Rich9

I also bought the album on the strength of that vid. It was posted on Orange's profile on facebook last week. Going there tomorrow, but havent quite worked out where it is! I know where Gisburn is but no idea where the ride starts and car park is etc

thekickingmule

There's a post code on page 2 of this thread that tony_m posted. BD23 4SQ that's a pub not far from the entrance.
Then i'm just going to ask someone where to go I think

Rich9

ta. Google maps says Hole House Lane, which I think is near the Cocklet Hill Car Park. We'll find it

sparrowlegs78

Not bloody playing out AGAIN!!!! Hubby might have swine flu, so I can't get anywhere this weekend
Caz xxx

tony_m

Signage is better than it was, but possibly still lacking in one or two places as things are still developing. Just take a copy of stumpyjon's map and a dose of that old pioneering spirit, and you'll be fine.

Alternatively, as dave_hill says, just follow everybody else...

gonga

dave_hill wrote:

bigbenj_08 wrote:

I have herd a few mutterings that Gisburn isn't that well waymarked

It isn't. But all you need to do is follow the hordes of other people that will be there...

+1
I have been round 4/5 times and have done something different every time.
Its well busy so just follow or ask if your unsure.
Its not a big deal,but why is there never a rush to put signs up for navigational numptys like me?

stumpyjon

The signs were supposed to be in place months ago when the posts were put in. There has been some cock up with the firm making the signs, I don't what and can't imagine what could go so badly wrong as to take months to fix but hey ho.

At least the signage is better than Lee Quarry, there are secret nuclear bunkers with better signage than that place :roll:

thekickingmule

Just got back and showered from a great day there! Great fun! had a really good time, even when I hit a mahoosive puddle which was about 3 fathoms deep and I fell off, all I could do was laugh!
There is some really, REALLY nice swoopy bits, and rocky bits, and jumpy bits, and I stuck to the red. Next time i think i'll attempt the black, though maybe with friends

The signage isn't that bad. Just one or two places where it need confirming that you carry on rather than go left etc. But common sense will get you round (follow tyre marks )

The pub is great too, had a nice flap jack and cup of tea afterwards, and they let me use the jet wash (my bike has never been so clean!)

Will be back very soon, hopefully with people as i want to show some people this great little route!

PS. The A682 to get there is a fantastic drive! This place has everything

The Northern Monkey

Just got back from a brilliant ride up at Gisburn!
Absoloutley loved it

Seriously thanks to stumpyjon for showing me round - hope you didn't get too bored waiting for me on the climbs

So guess where i'll be heading next weekend..... :twisted: