Cycle guide:Life in the slow lane

Aug 30 2008 by Yvette Smith, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Life in the slow lane

THE latest in our series of cycle rides devised by MEL GIBSON, of Meltham, a founder of the Kirklees Cycling Forum.

SITUATED between the Blackburn and Ryburn Valleys, Norland Moor has long been a favourite haunt for cyclists who get their pleasures on seeing how fast they can get around its four mile circuit. However, to really enjoy the peacefulness of the old village, the beauty of the heather-clad moor, with the impressive views from its heights, and the quiet almost traffic free roads, a more sedate pace on the bicycle is desirable.

Our journey to and from Norland Moor has many contrasts and late in our ride we pass within a few metres of the screaming traffic on the M62. It is a great consolation to know that our bicycle can take us away from this futile rush of modern living.

WE begin our ride in the centre of Outlane and take the A640 in a north easterly direction towards Huddersfield for a few hundred metres.

Just beyond the bottom of the hill we take the first turning left opposite the Swan Inn (signposted Old Lindley and Jagger Green).

In Old Lindley, where the road forks, we continue to the left down Jagger Green. As we enter the village we turn sharp right. Jagger Green (1) is yet another pretty village and as we descend, it is clear that homes are occupied with immense pride. The descent gets steeper but we keep to the main route all the way to the bottom of the hill to the T-junction.

We turn to the right (2) and almost immediately left along Raw Royds. Keeping to the main surfaced road, we wind our way around until we reach the T-junction with the Stainland-West Vale Road, where our way is to the right.

At the first traffic lights we turn left on Saddleworth Road (3) and we have a gentle climb of about one mile. After all the houses have been passed we take the right turn up Scar Bottom Lane. Part way up the hill where the road swings to the right we continue up the narrower Scar Bottom Lane (4) until we reach the T-junction at the top where our way is to the left.

After a short distance we take the next turning to the right (Turbury Lane). Further along we keep to the right where the road enters from the left and shortly after keep left where a surfaced lane leads to the right (5). As we ride towards Norland village, the town of Halifax is on our right and the long chimney which stands proudly is Wainhouse Tower – a local landmark. On our left is Norland Moor, which is seen at its best in late summer when the heather is in bloom.

The village itself is much unspoiled. A real credit to the inhabitants.

Leaving Norland village our route is to the left and soon we have superb views to our right of the Calder Valley heading away towards Hebden Bridge and the Ryburn Valley which runs parallel to our route. In front of us on the skyline is the Pennine ridge.

After one and a half miles we cross three sets of crossroads within the space of quarter of a mile (6) (B6113, a minor road, and the B6114). Then we begin our climb through the trees to Krumlin village. Our route is straight on through the village, past the disused mill and where the road we are on sweeps around to the right, we keep straight on the surfaced lane (7) towards the nearest electricity pylon and a group of houses.

Very soon we have our first view of Scammonden Dam and the Blackburn Valley. We reach a T-junction at the very end of this road and our route is to the left (8) ignoring the ‘No through road’ signs. When we can go no further there is a large steel gate and stile which we have to pass over to enter the Scammonden Dam grounds. (Walkers and cyclists have the permission of the water authority to access this area but please do not abuse the privilege). Our way is to descend the steep hill and keep to the surfaced track near the top of the embankment parallel to the motorway. At the other end, another gate and stile must be passed over and then we continue to the T-junction next to the motorway overbridge. Our route is to the left, downhill on the narrow lane through the trees.

We keep right where the road forks and descend all the way to the bottom where we pass through the disused mill yard (9) and then up the surfaced lane at the other side, although the surface itself isn’t very good. Soon the lane levels and we have fine views across the valley to the very steep and cobbled Penny Hill with Krumlin village at its head.

At the next major junction our way is to the right (10) up the steep hill and we go straight across the next two crossroads finally turning right at the T-junction towards the centre of Outlane where we began our ride.