Hey everyone, ive got a free weekend towards the end of September, so im planning on using it and getting out for the first time since April.

I planned to walk the Mary Townley Loop Friday - Sunday, but after sorting out my On One and curing the squeaky brakes, im tempted to take the bike over and use that. My only issue is, ive put on a fair bit of weight over the last 6 months, so i am rather unfit and a little portly. Just how difficult is the Mary Townley Loop? Id hate to take my bike over and spend more time walking with it than actually riding it.

Ive got a route map, but havent got any elevation data, i can only presume it is rather hilly! Any guidance from thos who have ridden it would be great.

The routes fairly straight forward, nothing too taxing.

It's Calderdale so many of the climbs will be short but steep, especially around Hebden Bridge, but that's only in a few places.

The routes probably better clockwise and it's worth using a GPS as sometimes the markers are vague/non existent. Easily doable over two days at a relaxed pace.

Ask Ton of the parish to recommend you a few pubs as well

It's not too bad at all. 47 miles or so, and the climbing is not too steep (there's a few bits you might be pushing, but not many). Loads of bivvy spots as well.

At the top of the long climb to the Top of Leech (or something like that), there's a quarry with a load of MTB tracks - worth an hours play (Lee Quarry) if you have the time.

It took me 7-8 hours, the record is about 4 hours. If you decide it's a full days ride then you could do it in a day (or enjoy it over 2 days).

The problem you may have is the hundreds of gates to get your loaded bike through, so travel light.

Also avoid the 15th September as there's an official annual mtb race doing around it.

Cheers for the advice guys. I have a Garmin 705, so i guess i could stick a gpx route on that. In all honestly, what ill probably do is take the trans-pennine trail friday afternoon over to the pennine bridleway. Then head up the bridleway to see if i can reach the Mary Towneley and ride some of it.

If all goes horribly wrong i wont be too far away from a train station to get me back into Manchester!