It was a fine day as twelve SCCC members met at Greenfield ready to begin the latest of Stockport Community Cycling Club‘s longer rides. This ride out to Rishworth Moor, however, promised plenty of hills. I was back-leading this ride. Sarah, however, opted out, having struggled recently with tiredness. It was probably a wise decision!

Leaving Greenfield we headed out along Manchester Road. The hills were straight ahead.

We began with a four-mile climb up Holmfirth Road. Gary was soon struggling …

We entered Kirklees and reached the top at over 1500 feet above sea-level. This would be the highest point we would reach on the ride.

We cycled across the bleak landscape of Marsland Moor for a little while.

We turned off on to Wessenden Head Road.

And had our photo taken.

We dropped down towards Meltham.

Before turning off and joining NCN Route 68 towards Slaithwaite. We had cycled this in the opposite direction on the Pennine Cycleway.

We left Slaithwaite by heading up Bank Gate.

The climbing got steeper as we turned on to Longlands Road.

And then Intake Road, which required plenty of ‘intakes’ of breath to climb.

We turned on to Pole Gate.

We then dropped down towards Scammonden Reservoir.

And under the M62.

We left NCN Route 68 and briefly joined Saddleworth Road.

We then turned on to Withens Lane.

This took us to the bottom of Booth Wood Reservoir.

Another stiff little climb followed to take us up to Oldham Road.

A little further along here was The Turnpike Inn where we were all glad to stop, enjoy some food and drink, and have a rest.

After lunch, we continued along Oldham Road.

We then crossed the motorway again and climbed up Ripponden Road. This took us on to Bleakedgate Moor where we crossed from Yorkshire back in to Lancashire.

We cycled through Denshaw.

Then on to Grains Bar.

We turned on to Ship Lane and began a final couple of climbs of the day.

Eventually, we reached Scouthead.

The last few miles of the route were downhill back to Greenfield.

By the time we had arrived back we had cycled just over 31 miles and climbed over 3800 feet. This had proved a challenging route. The scenery, however, had been fantastic and made all the hard work worthwhile.

You can view the SCCC Rishworth Moor route below: