Cycle ride: Along the Don

Sep 27 2008 by Sue Bardon, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Along the Don

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

ON this ride we shall have the opportunity of visiting Wortley Forge and our journey there will include riding the ridge of two hills which afford extensive views. Much of the return journey will be along the trackbed of the Manchester to Sheffield Railway which is part of the Trans-Pennine Cycle Trail. This is a wonderful cycle ride and will be almost traffic free.

WE begin our journey at the crossroads in Victoria, a small community some three miles south east of New Mill on the A616.

Our route is slightly downhill on Wood Royd Hill Lane for a short distance then at the first hairpin we fork right along Lower Maythorne Lane on to the first ridge. Soon the wind farm on Royd Moor comes into view and we follow the lane which keeps to the right of the windmills passing almost underneath them before (1) we descend the hill to the village of Millhouse Green.

At the bottom of the hill we go straight across the A628 and down Birks Lane to our first crossing of the River Don and then we begin a steady climb. At the junction we keep to the left (2) on Shore Hall Lane. The lane passes over the Trans-Pennine Cycle Trail at the old level crossing. The hill gets steeper and we may have to walk but it is an opportunity to take in the lovely view.

Our route at the top of the hill is to the right past Cross Royd Reservoir. Away on our left is Penistone with its railway viaduct and church. We go straight over the next crossroads (3) and soon we come to a T-junction where we turn right. A short gentle climb brings us to the second ridge road where our way is to the left. The thrill now is some five miles of almost all gently falling gradient. We have to be careful to stay to the ridge so half way along when the road swings sharply to the right we take Tofts Lane to the left (4).

Almost at the end of the ridge we arrive at one of South Yorkshire’s prettiest villages, Green Moor, with its colourful verges and village stocks before we descend the hill into the valley of the Don once again.

At the T-junction our route is to the left, and almost immediately Wortley Forge is on our right (5). The entrance is at the far end of the buildings.

We leave Wortley Forge and turn right for a short distance. Immediately after passing over the River Don for the second time we take the next left turn (6) on Old Mill Lane. The tranquillity of this lane along the valley floor with its picturesque cottages is another of the highlights on this ride.

After rounding a right hand bed the lane climbs steeply for a short distance and this is another opportunity for us to have a walk. Once we are over the top there is a short descent and the lane crosses a railway bridge.

It is here that we dismount and, taking the path to the left, we descend to the cycle trail where our way is to the right towards Penistone.

Within a few metres of joining the trail we once again cross the River Don. This time over Rumtickle Viaduct before continuing for about four miles on this traffic free route. About a mile west of Penistone we pass under a high stone arched bridge (number 1/82). About a quarter of a mile beyond the bridge is an old level crossing.

This is where we depart the Trail (8) and take the narrow lane to the right and turning to the left at the bottom of the hill. This lane ends at the gate of a farm. But we take the track on the right and the footbridge over our last crossing of the River Don.

Our route is then up the short hill to join the A628 where we turn right.

In less than half a mile, by the closure-threatened Thurlstone PO(9), we leave the A628 and fork left up the short hill (Town Gate). This lane passes between the houses and bends once more to the left then once again we are in open country and there is a pleasant climb on to Royd Moor before us.

Almost at the top we take the first turning right (10) on Spicer House Lane. The wind farm we passed earlier is now on our left. After almost two miles at the staggered crossroads we turn left (11) up Browns Edge Road (signposted Hepworth). When we reach the top we turn right (12) on Lower Maythorne Lane and retrace our earlier route to Victoria where we began our ride.