Ingleton AKA Dent
2009

This years end of season trip took us to a new destination of Ingleton. Our usual trip to Dent was not possible due to lack of rooms and 2 night minimum stay.

Ingleton is only 10 miles short of Dent so once the B&B was sorted the only thing left was to plan a route. As we did less miles we decided (i.e. Dunc and Mark) not to ride through Manchester city centre but to go either east or west then head north. Dunc’s west route would have taken in too many towns so we went with Marks east route (via Halifax!!! to the delight of Darren and Si). It was probably the best ever route we have done but next time anyone going should use mountain bike gears as some of the climbs needed mega small gears with the added weight of panniers.

A total number of 8 made the trip, Dunc, Geoff, Ian, Maggie, Mark, MC, Ric, Si. We set off from the Arden Arms and headed towards the hills near Stalybridge via Hyde. It was at this point Darren had to adjust his panniers as he’d secured them on with what looked like 2 wobbly bolts. A few zip ties later we were off and through Stalybridge, Uppermill, Dobcross, Delph, Denshaw and Milnrow. We then hit the first major climb to pass under the M62. This is when the real climbs started. Some leg breaking short 1 in 5 climbs.

We had lunch in a railway café in Oxenhope that turned out to be an old train carriage. The menu was a bit lacking so it was a sausage roll or sandwich. The sausage rolls weighed about 1kg each, full of calories but maybe not perfect for the next 40 hilly miles.

We then went off towards the next climb which is the hill next to the 2008 National Hill Climb hill. This is where MTB gears would have been useful. Mark knew what was coming so put on suitable gears. The rest of us just had to slog it out at 5mph.

Once near some flattish roads we then met a ford that turned out to be the longest one in Lancashire. The Noyna Ford must have been 500m long. Slippery and deep. Some managed to ride through it, others walked, we all got wet feet. Note, the picture is not of the ford on the day we went though it!!!

After some small climbs we were only 4 miles from Ingleton. This is when we went straight on to add a few more miles and climbing. The final climb took us up and over Ingleton to drop into the village (there were a few tired legs and a few complaints). This did not stop us as it was much better than heading down the main road.

The climb was much easier than most we had tackled that day but after the mileage proved tough. Mark attacked half way up, chased by Dunc. The rest saw the stupidity so decided to ride up sensibly. Mark stayed away to get the sign to Ingleton but only just!!!

It took a while to find the hotel, but after a shower it was out for the night. A few  beers were had and food, then a few more beers. Seems we had a few too many.

The ride home saw the group split into 2. One going the easy way back (more main roads) and the other taking a similar route to the ride out. There were a few tired legs and the thought of some of the climbs back were too much.

Even after a split, an hour or so the 2 groups saw each other near Colne. A steady ride back for both groups. Darren punctured just outside Manchester. We were all back before dark (which is always good).

A great route, weekend, tired legs. Loved it!!!