[Closed] Calderdale Conditions (OMG, it's a "what tyre" thread).

Just under 4000ft of climbing in 26 miles,I would go with whatever fast rolling tyre you have it will be easier on the legs
https://the24th.org.uk/cmbm/route/

If its the route they normally use, just use whatever rubbery round things are on the bike at the minute. Theres nothing too technical or boggy.

How steep is it really? Will I die? I’ve been riding flat(ish) North Nottinghamshire for the last 18 months.

It'll be sloppy in the woods (if there are any on the route) but the tops and moors won't be too bad I'd have thought, September's been pretty dry and most of it drains OK. How steep is it? Very. but the climbs aren't "that" long, but yeah that's a bunch of climbing on some relentlessly stern pulls. Take it steady.

Oh, what tyres? Don't matter really, something with a bit of grip though, and not too thin.

Apart from the climb after walshaw which is a grassy slog of muddy death in winter, it looks mostly hardback/tarmac. Oh and the descent into mytholmroyd (stake lane) has a short bit of greasy broken cobbles. It's got a bit sloppier round here but not drastic. Good luck!
Edit. I've got a slaughter on the back of the hardtail and it's still fine for me round hebden on that type of route.

I've just checked the route and its not what I thought it was. I'd be half tempted to take a CX bike. Or a road bike 😀

Yeah, just had a look at the route. The climb around Shackleton Moor is just shit really...horrid long greasy and grassy. The rest is just road!

I reckon you could do that route on a gravel bike quite happily

Sure the old route used to do loads of bits around Greetland - the deer park descent/climb, Norland Moor, Copley Woods etc. Or maybe I'm thinking about something else.

I know they have to keep it on legit routes but that looks almost like they've purposely avoided anything fun. Whats Stake Lane like these days? Not ridden it in years and back then it was pretty tech in places but they've since sanitised the whole lot I think?

but they’ve since sanitised the whole lot I think?

I can sort of understand. Calderdale is one of those weird places where the non-tech is quite dull, but some of the techy stuff can see lots of folk get out of their depth quite quickly...

Does miss out some nice stuff though, which is a shame

@DaveyBoyWonder Stake Lane is tame with a wee bit of broken cobble. Yes they surfaced part of it. Pretty narrow and overgrown this year, seems unreal that an HGV got stuck down it in the early days of sat nav!

Yeh, totally understand but calling it a mountain bike marathon and then running it on what looks like 75% road is a bit off given the epic, legit riding there is around there. Even just pointing people at the Hebden > Widdop > Whirlaw Stones route which is pretty weather-proof would (in my eyes) be a better option - big hills, big views, big descents (some of which require you to think a bit) and very little road.

Miss it... moved away this time last year. Might need to plan a trip over in the next few weeks...

Anyway OP - you'll love it and if you've not ridden around there before, hopefully the climbs (and the descents) will give you time to look and wonder what gems there are on the hillsides. And there are gems! No idea which way you'll be coming so I'll assume jct 24 of the M62 and then down the valley. As you come down the hill from the M62 - that big wooded hillside directly in front of you as you pass Elland. Yep, in there. Then along the valley floor passing Copley. That big hillside to the left. In there too. And on the tops above it.

I'm doing it as it's local. Does miss the more interesting riding in the area from my experience but most of that's not legit anyway. Hopefully it'll just be a nice ride if stenuous in places. I don't know the whole route so it'll be nice to see a bit more of the area.
I'm doing it on a hard tail with 2.4 tyres. I'm sure you could do the route on a gravel bike but it'd take any fun out of the rocky bits in my opinion but then I like a bit of comfort!
I went out last night, trails are running pretty good. Tacky mud and puddles in places. Looks like possible rain tomorrow but nice for Sunday..

Miss it… moved away this time last year.

Haha, me too (got bored of being flooded every winter) Do miss the amazing riding from the doorstep though

If you are quick and at the front of the group it won't be as boggy, muddy.

I did it one year with a friend who turned up late so we set off after everyone else. It was horrific in places. I've never been at the back before. It was a lot harder than being in the middle of the race.

Thanks all. I think gravel bike it is. At least I'll have a chance to keep up with the youngster on the road sections.

If you see me (flat bar Genesis) say hi.

APF

I think gravel bike it is. If you see me (flat bar Genesis) say hi.

Hybrid bike then? 😁

Whats Stake Lane like these days?

- long wet stretch where the water run off from the fields has been messed up

- 100m of nice packhorse trail on the corner

- 10m of big loose stones (a bit like most of it used to be years ago)

- 100m of washboard paving

- 200m of gravel

If you haven’t been for a long time, don’t get your hopes up.

@ damascus

yep, hybrid.

APF 🙂

Likewise say hi. I'll be on an orange cotic.
Weather looks perfect👍

Rich

I'll be there as usual, been doing it best part of 10 years now. As said theres no real tech no woods or single track. The descent down from house of shit is fun, Midgley moor used to be but they've cut that out last few years. I enjoy it as I like competing against myself/the clock.

Home.
Weak.
Gravel bike was deffo the way to go.

Thanks to the organisers and marshals,

APF