 You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
Hi, looking at doing the mary toneley loop in the day starting from loveclogh between bunley and rawtenstall, i believe you can get on to it near the reservoirs there? i would obviously get some kind of map, but wanted to know once on there if it is well signed? not really one for maps!!! also for a reasonably fit group, how long should you allow to complete the loop. if you could e mail or answer on here would be appreciated. roger.sutton@hotmail.co.uk.
Regards rod
The MTL is pretty well signposted but i would reccommend a map as well even if just for planning food stops etc. As for time, i believe the record for the MTL challenge is something like 4 and a bit hours! If you're not racing then 6-8hrs with a couple of pub/cafe stops is a reasonable time to aim for.
The route is pretty easy to follow and is well surfaced in most places so doable even in rough weather. I'm taking a couple of mates around it in a couple of months and they are pretty much novices on a mtb.
I would recomend a map aswell. Its well signposted but if you miss 1 it could send a few miles out (speaking from experience there) take plenty of supplies as shops on the route are few and far between. Although that said, a visit to Mays shop is a must. Near jack bridge i think. 6 and a half hours is my best time, its a great day if the weather is on your side
If you are riding in a group, get your gate gap sorted, i.e. ride spaced out so the person in front has enough time to dismount and open the gate while the rest of you ride through without stopping, then joins at the back.
Saves a bit of time at each gate.
There are a LOT of gates.
better to take a map if you do you wont need it if you dont.. its pretty wet underfoot at the moment so speed records will be hard to set. that said at half eight this morning a group went over widdop followed by quite a few others through the day.. hebden area was pretty much awash with bikes today..
6 - 8 hours is a nice pace including plenty of hike a bike for the non regular rider.
a shufty at a map will also reveal plenty of cheeky bits to avoid the big time and energy consumers.. i now always miss out the ruthless clockwise climb/ scramble up walsden by using the now closed road by the toll house saves 20 minutes and an exhausting scramble climb ( go on someone tell me you rode up it..)
Aye yeah you can take the cheeky bits to avoid the big time energy consumers........
but thats called road riding and another forum altogether my friend
Some farmers have a habit of removing/altering signs on the loop, so a map is vital. I haven't been on the worst bit since last summer so I can't say what the current state is.
For the sake of a couple of ounces, chuck one in.
You've not asked which direction! I vote clockwise...
Take a map
Allow eight hours with gates (there are 50 of them in 48 miles, I've counted!) and stops and faffing. Take food, spares and all your water as you don't really pass near anywhere that you can get stuff from without a diversion.