MTB: Bite Size Pennine Bridleway Routes
Source: www.nationaltrail.co.uk
Posted: 12 Dec 2008
The Pennine Bridleway is a superb facility in the stunning Peak District and south Pennines. We've covered it pretty comprehensively here on Everyday Cycling (see links below). However, the full length of the Bridleway, at 92 miles is a pretty tall order for most people. Even the 47 mile Mary Townley Loop (slap bang in the middle of the route) is a pretty big ask for most in a day.
With this in mind, the nice people at the www.nationaltrail.co.uk have produced these great PDF (Adobe Acrobat required) downloadable route cards for three bite size, intermediate mountain bike rides, that'll give you a real taste of Pennine Bridleway riding without turning you into a jibbering, exhausted wreck. And the good news is that they're absolutely free!
The routes
The 'Diggle Jiggle' near Oldham - an 11 mile ride of two halves starting with a muscle warming run from Diggle taking in Greenfield and the Delph Donkey Trail before a steep climb from Dob Cross to Standege, ending in a white-knuckle off road plunge back to Diggle. Download >>>
The 'Tintwistle: Moor Fun' near Glossop - a 16 mile up and down route over the moors, taking in Higher Swineshaw Reservoir, Mossley and two nerve jangling off-road finales before heading back into Tintwistle. Download >>>
The 'Hayfield Highs' near New Mills - a 17 mile "full-on" route with uphills made to test your legs and downhills designed to test your nerves, taking in Chinley, Ollersett Moor, Rowarth and Lantern Pike. Download >>>
More info on the trial: Pennine Bridleway Website
Related
Nick Craig's Pennine Bridleway Challenge
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