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Cycle sports and leisure

Introduction

Leisure cycling and cycle sport is extremely popular in Calderdale. The hilly terrain of Calderdale provides the perfect surroundings for Mountain Biking and Road Cycling.

What does an area with a large land mass and small population have to offer in the world of cycling? Quite a lot in fact.

Calderdale is situated in the South Pennines, a hilly part of the world. This terrain provides the perfect playground for mountain biking and road cyclists who wish to enjoy some of the best cycling in the UK.

Road cycling in Calderdale is similar to cycling in the Pyrenees or Alps but on a much smaller scale. The main roads tend to follow the valley floor with a multitude of quieter roads climbing out of the valley onto the hills. This creates a perfect mix for an enjoyable ride, complete with fast links, challenging climbs, fun descents and fantastic scenery. Calderdale is home to the longest continuous uphill road in England: the B6138 climbs nearly 5 miles from Mytholmroyd to Blackstone Edge reservoir.

The mountain bike hub is focused around the town of Hebden Bridge in the Upper Calder Valley. This tourist town provides an excellent start / finish point with direct access to fantastic trails on both sides of the valley. The National Trail Pennine Bridleway| runs through Calderdale as part of a 47 mile loop known as the Mary Towneley Loop. There are a mass of bridleways and trails to explore.

• For an overview of the trails in Calderdale, see Calderdale maps online: Transport networks
• For more details on mountain biking and road cycling, email cbr@calderdale.gov.uk

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