manchester to huddersfield

chris_phillips

Anybody out there ridden manchester to huddersfield, just interested in knowing which route is the safest to ride mid-week.A nd what sought of climbing is involved.

fossyant

Woodhead is very busy with HGV's mid week - might be best Saddleworth Moor on A635.

Long climb of about 5-6% average. Worth it for the descent on both sides of Saddleworth.

You can also climb out of Oldham via A640 - this is quieter

Not sure about the A62

chris_phillips

Thanx for that fossyant, will prob do saddleworth. would that be going out through Diggle or is that Dovestones? get confused between the two.

Chris James

Dovestones is A635 'Isle of Skye' road to Holmfirth.

Diggle is the A62 to Marsden past Pule Hill (quieter than A635).

An alternative is Buckstones road (A640) from Denshaw, which is the quietest road, but meanders round to New Hey Raod in to Hudds.

I'd go A62 is it is the most direct and not too busy, except perhaps right into Huddersfield.... mind you, I've only ever ridden any of them at weekends.

chris_phillips

Thanks Chris just checked it on google and that looks the better alternative to the routes suggested. Only just got back into cycling after a 20 plus year abscence.is it a lung buster of a ride or is it doable for a virtual novice?

Chris James

A steady drag really. The Sadleworth side is steeper than the Kirklees side, but neither are bad.

Also, the prevailing wind will normally blow you to Huddersfield.

Just watch out for sheep on the road as you descend towards Marsden!

ColinJ

I've had a few dodgy experiences with crazy bikers on the way up to Buckstones!

One fool overtook me doing about 100 mph on the way up, turned round at the top and did about 100 mph in the opposite direction.

How do I know he was a fool? Well what else do you call someone who sees a cyclist ahead and a sheep standing in the middle of the road and does a ton between them!

Even more stupidly, having terrified the sheep on the way up, risking doing 100 mph past it on the way back down wasn't exactly bright! :shock:

janwal

Hi Chris,you can come to Huddersfield via Uppermill and Delph through to Denshaw and over Buckstones as said above.If you want a break I can recommend Edna's cafe in Delph.It's on your right,usually chairs outside,Top food and snacks.Her home made flapjack is superb especially the walnut and fudge (she's closed Monday unless it's a bank hol)It's a regular coffee trip for me about 26 miles return.If the wind is a westerly you can free wheel from Buckstones right down to nearly to Scammonden reservoir.If it's easterly you pedal all the way downhill!! Easy run down into Huddersfield as it's a straight road nearly all the way in apart for a small rise just after Outlane by the M62

Chris James

Buckstones is a nicer road than the A62, but I avoided suggesting it as New Hey Road is very busy during week days as a main road to the M62.

chris_phillips

Thanx guys spoilt for choice on which route to take. would it be doable on a 50/34? in your opininions.

HAllez!!

Just looked on OS maps and there appears to be a non-A road route from Dobcross/ Uppermill through Harrop Dale, followed by about 1.5km on the A62, turning right just after Rebrook Resr back onto lanes. That takes you to Marsden, then right onto the B6107 to Holt Head, followed by a left then right onto another lane that runs all the way to Huddersfield passing Blackmoorfoot Resr.

I don't know the route at all, but it has minimum time on A roads, which is how I always plan my rides....maybe the local guys above could give an idea of traffic etc on this route?

PP

(Pilot Pete - H'Allez's Dad!)

ColinJ

HAllez!! wrote:

Just looked on OS maps and there appears to be a non-A road route from Dobcross/ Uppermill through Harrop Dale, followed by about 1.5km on the A62, turning right just after Rebrook Resr back onto lanes. That takes you to Marsden, then right onto the B6107 to Holt Head, followed by a left then right onto another lane that runs all the way to Huddersfield passing Blackmoorfoot Resr.

I don't know the route at all, but it has minimum time on A roads, which is how I always plan my rides....maybe the local guys above could give an idea of traffic etc on this route?

PP

(Pilot Pete - H'Allez's Dad!)

That's the kind of thing I do.

When I do a loop taking in Saddleworth Moor, I usually ride through Harrop Dale and Tunstead rather than the busy A-road through Uppermill. It's quiet and scenic, though hillier.

When I'm coming from Marsden towards Standedge, I always take the back road you mentioned past the golf course***. It's a steeper climb than the main road, but I prefer to climb slowly on a quiet, scenic road, than slowly on a busy A-road! Going towards Marsden from Standedge though, it's a very fast descent so it's over pretty quickly.

It's downhill most of the way if you stick on the A62 from Marsden whereas riding via Holthead and Blackmoorfoot adds about an extra 60m of climbing. Having said that - unless I was in a hurry, I'd take the high(er) road!


*** Not great on windy days though! :shock: