owd betts?

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

hi all,

i currently commute from the outskirts of rossendale to the outskirts of rochdale, i currently go thru rawtenstall up newline and brittania etc etc. some of the roads are really really bad, both traffic wise and pothole wise. i could use the alternative route of edenfield then over owd betts and drop in to rochdale. i've heard horror stories of how scary owd betts can be on a bike. does anyone use it daily? anyone use it regular? if so what are your thoughts?

cheers

 

[DiddlyDodds]

Last time i went over there were nothing scary other than the locals . just watch out for the racing drivers who use it as a time trial

 

[Svendo]

Hi Bromptonfb!
That'll explain why I saw you going down through Shawclough one morning at 8.20am, late november at about -3c. I was in the car taking the step-brat to school. For what it's worth I've never had more problems over own betts than any other road, and the surface is better than the Whitworth road. I'd give it a go even if just for variety.

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

Hi Bromptonfb!
That'll explain why I saw you going down through Shawclough one morning at 8.20am, late november at about -3c. I was in the car taking the step-brat to school. For what it's worth I've never had more problems over own betts than any other road, and the surface is better than the Whitworth road. I'd give it a go even if just for variety.

hi svendo,
how are you? which bike was i on? was it at the mini roundabout by any chance?

 

[bigjim]

I find climbing owd betts up from outside Norden to summit is the worst bit for nutters racing each other and it is far me a long hard climb. But there is a deserted pavement that you can use. Once past the pub the bends slow the traffic down. Coming the other way is IMO an easier climb and then a nice fast downhill into the village so you are not as vulnerable to the nutter brigade.

 

[Globalti]

Shaun, as you know I prefer the high altitude route because it's better surfaced, has fewer junctions and crossings and therefore fewer opportunities for some muppet to have you off. On top of that it has the aesthetic appeal of the views and the climb and descent. I've never ridden it during commuting hours though, at that time it must be as bad as the Grane Road so I guess it is as dangerous as the valley bottom route.

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

cheers for the replies guys. i drove over the other day during rush hour. not really a place i want to be on a bike at that time. globalti, you're right it is pretty, so i might have jaunt over early sat or sun and do a loop back over my usual commute (for this placement anyway) to make up for monday.

 

[User482]

I really dislike that road - too many drivers thinking they're Jenson Button.

 

[Svendo]

hi svendo,
how are you? which bike was i on? was it at the mini roundabout by any chance?

You were on your Brompton, which I pointed out to the GF, and it was just before shawclough road. It was very cold.

Re. Owd Betts, it has to be added that I've not ridden it during rush hour, which may well make a big difference.

 

[bigjim]

At least you can get a cheap coffee and a mars bar halfway up.

 

[User482]

At least you can get a cheap coffee and a mars bar halfway up.

My god, is Granelli's van still there? I used to stop for a coffee there 15 years ago!

 

[ColinJ]

I really dislike that road - too many drivers thinking they're Jenson Button.

I nearly got squelched up there*** riding back towards Rochdale on the North West Passage in the dark in Feb 2007. Jenson Button #1 was being chased by Jenson Button #2 at extreme speed. The first car passed within about 2 feet of me. His rival was so tight up his *rse that I don't think he even saw me and passed within a few inches of me. The shockwave blew me sideways off the road. It was a very near miss and it really put me off night riding.

*** Actually, it might have been the hill before, between Blackburn and Haslingden