Thirteen of us (including a few 'first timers') met at the Redbeck cafe for breakfast and a chat on Sunday 5th October, ready for the much anticipated Reservoir Run, October's rideout visiting Picturesque Reservoirs of South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire.
Time for a team photo before Chas and Lorna proceeded to fleece us all for our raffle ticket money, before we mounted up and turned left out of the car park back towards Wakefield.
We swung round Thornes Wharf at the side of the River Calder and joined Denby Dale road out through Durkar and under the M1 at Calder Grove. Continuing on through Clayton West and Scissett we made a sharp left up Miller Hill and along past the wind farm to join Barnsley Road before turning right down Denby Lane to Penistone Road before making our way to the first reservoir of the run where we crossed the Dam Head of Ingbirchwood Reservoir.
We then enjoyed a real roller coaster of a ride along a very narrow country lane where we could see Langsett Reservoir in the distance. We rode alongside Underbank reservoir which was partially hidden by the trees on Manchester road through Stocksbridge before a sharp uphill climb on Carr Road through Bolsterstone to Broomhead Reservoir then along Allas lane before a steep winding decent to Dam Flask reservoir then a very challenging uphill left turn onto the B6076 turning right just before Stannington onto the A57 past Rivelin Dam and Ladybower Reservoir.
We rode alongside Ladybower before our first stop at the Upper Derwent Visitor Centre for a coffee and a you know what.
Somewhat surprisingly we hadn't lost anyone and no one had broken down although there were a few admissions to arse clenching moments along the route as it was compared in part to riding through the Pyrenees. After our refreshments we made our way back down the other side of the reservoir and joined the A57 and had some fun riding the Snake towards Glossop where we turned right up Woodhead road and passed alongside Torside and Woodhead Reservoir and across Holme Moss past Brownhill Reservoir before stopping in Holmfirth.
It was now around late lunchtime and the original intention was to partake of light refreshment then continue back to Wakefield, but as a fair few had to get back to other commitments, it was decided to end the ride here and everyone made their own way home after what was generally considered to be a most enjoyable rideout. A challenging but certainly very picturesque route, in what is probably our last ridout of the season ..... roll on Spring 2015 !!!!
Ride safe
Mick