Left, definitely Superfly. Although there will be people going either side & Forumites who will disagree with me !!
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Left, definitely Superfly. Although there will be people going either side & Forumites who will disagree with me !!
Seconded, definitely left, even though the official footpath is on the right? I've taken both routes and the right is only better when the bogs and puddles have been deep frozen for a week. I remember during such conditions a few years ago standing on a transparent glass-like expanse and looking down at vegetation and bog a foot below my feet.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jez Hellewell
Stolly, there'll be plenty out so following the procession may just work. Hope for no fog and be sure to back a winner at the top of Rocky Valley, though. If you stick with me you'll be safe. :wink:Quote:
Originally Posted by Stolly
Is there a stile or gate where you cross back over by the wall junction next to the West Buckstones? So far I've only been along the right side and vaguely(sp?) recall seeing something in that corner.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jez Hellewell
Yes, I think there is a stile, with a bit of a steep descent just on the other side.
Cheers Nick.Quote:
Originally Posted by BritNick
Nick I just might try and stick with you - from your blog it looks like you are a Rombalds veteran of 12 years running :)Quote:
Originally Posted by BritNick
You're welcome to stick with me, Stolly, if you don't mind a 4:15 finish. :) I'll look out for a bloke with a pooch. I should have 20 to choose from.
I tried the left side of the wall after Whetstone Gate for the first time last recce (after about 20 times running on the right hand side) and definitely agree that left is better. I worried all the way to Buckstones that I would have to climb the wall, but sure enough as Nick says, there is a stile at just the right place.
The fun bit comes just after that, where you have to find the makeshift stepping 'stones' through the bog some of which are just old bits of wood/fence. I'm hoping the faster guys don't think of moving them to slow the rest of us down.
I'm totally fed up that I can't make this. I tried to get in last year and it was full and this year I got in but have double booked and have to do a workshop...oh well...I'll let the organisers know, I'm sure my place will be snapped up!
I've not tried the left hand side, as the instructions clearly state going down the RHS, but I know where the stile is, and if it's more runnable I might be tempted to go left.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jez Hellewell
Interesting that forumites who bemoaned the introduction of the paving slabs from the trig choose to avoid the bogs the other side of Keighley Road....;)
Stolly, there should be people to follow more or less all the way up onto Ilkley moor, and provided there's no fog, should be able to see some people most of the way around the moor. I would try and find someone to follow from the end of Rocky Valley if you can for that small section, and definitely find someone to tag onto from Burley Woodhead down and through Menston - I'm told that lots of people miss the ginnal off Fairfax Rd every year and end up doing about half a mile extra because of it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stolly
Menston and the ginnel is about the only bit I get right !!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by fozzy
You should have come to recce it with us the other week then, Dave! ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Leeds Rhino
John and I have got it sorted!
I usually hop on to the large Buck Stone next to the stile on training runs for a refuel & admire the view over to Beamsley Beacon & Simons Seat in the distance. Crawshaw Moss is always a fun filled bog fest. 2 years ago someone face planted in the deepest section. I shan't repeat the language that subsequently followed.
went up on sunday morning. Baildon to finish (although i missed out the Chevin :thunbdown:)
aside from the wind being pretty wild and the odd lashing of rain or hail it was OK. a bit boggy getting up to Ilkley Moor but no worse than you'd expect. the flags make a massive difference going past Whetstone. found a couple of nice lines and discounted another. all in all a good morning out.
not sure my legs are really ready after my summer hiatus, but i'll give it me best shot! fingers crossed for sub4
Adam, I went out on Sunday morning too and did the whole thing starting from Guiseley.Quote:
Originally Posted by superflyguy
Wind and sleet were shocking early on and I made very slow progress out to the far end of Ilkley Moor, but once I turned and had the wind behind me it got much less unpleasant. Think I have the Rocky Valley to Pancake Stone section nailed at last.
Looking forward to a fortnight's time, and I also expect another sub 4 if the weather is slightly better, so may see you out there.
Simon
Simon,Quote:
Originally Posted by DinoF
Which route did you take?
The one I now think of as the 'Fozzy' route. I have now realised that I don't have to climb across the stone conduit (I wouldn't have the nerve to leap it) as there are stepping stones just to the left where it finishes and discharges to the stream. I'm happy with that now.Quote:
Originally Posted by fozzy
Ha! I think many others discovered before I did!Quote:
Originally Posted by DinoF
Yes, there are some stones you can hop across, but if the stream is flowing strongly, it can be a bit dicey!
I always take a leap of faith over it ! Did it today in fact. Go on, be brave........................
Hear - hear. The leap of faith always worked for me. Standing jump, both feet. (You might need strong fingernails for the final bit, mind.) :wink:Quote:
Originally Posted by Jez Hellewell
Very true Nick. I'm sure one day I will come a cropper there as I jump it so often ! Our Saturday Juniors always manage to scramble over it too.
Went to have a look at the conduit crossing for the first time today and like DinoF I was wary about jumping it but found a spot about 20 metres upstream where I can drop down onto one tuft of grass and cross there, unless of course we have a dry week then I'd be inclined to use the stepping stones.
Also made note to self to buy some Sealskinz socks this week - toes were wet and cold for most of my short run (B Woodhead-Stocks Hill-L Lad-Gill Head ruin-conduit-P Stone-Coldstone Ghyll - BW).
Plenty of snow up there today....view from near Lanshaw Lad looking East.....
Attachment 5576
Multi, Toni & I saw you parked up at Burley Woodhead today ! We were just driving over to Ilkley for a steady 8 miles, covering part of the course. Wow, how boggy ? As boggy as I've known it. Which begs the question, X-Talons for grip or Roclites for cushioning on the few road sections ?
I had half expected to see you out Jez, knowing you seem to be regularly up there on Friday afternoons. Did see one other runner with dog coming up from the conduit towards Gill Head. As I'd been full of cold for the best part of the week I decided once my feet were cold not to do the LL-trig point-Whetstone Gate section which I'd originally considered too.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jez Hellewell
I wore my Wave Harriers today and think I probably will on the day too - they were fine on the snowy wet stuff although I did take it very easy throughout. Lets hope for a week of frosts to harden up some of the bogs!
I always wear Wave Harriers on the Rombalds. Perfect.
That's 2 votes for Wave Harriers then :thumbup:Quote:
Originally Posted by Tussockface
You there next week TF or still struggling with injury?
Yes, still struggling .. but still hoping!Quote:
Originally Posted by Multiterrainer
I'm sure you'll make a sensible decision at the time:)Quote:
Originally Posted by Tussockface
I wore Wave Harriers last year. This year, I'll be wearing my Speedcross 2s - since there are no rough, rocky descents that I'm likely to twist my ankle on. The extra cushioning in them over the wave harriers makes it a much more comfortable ride!Quote:
Originally Posted by Multiterrainer
I love my wave harriers (I wear wave riders on the road), but the fact that they have no cushioning and are so flat, destroys my feet if there are long stretches of hard-packed trail or road.
If only the studs were slightly wider spaced and deeper the harrier would be a perfect shoe. I love mine, they are the only shoe I can wear straight from the box and do long distance in with no issues. The cushioning is exactly right for me, they're durable and shed water quickly. I find I run lightly in them too with better form. I'll be using mine for rombalds too
Highly unlikely I know, but I was reccying the route today from 12 apolstles round to burley and my car keys left my bum-bag at some point. Any sightings??
I'll be up there today mate & will keep my eyes peeled.
I'll be up there tomorrow and do the same. Blue and white, VW, yeah?
I'm a fan of wave harriers too, on another thread there's a place selling them at twenty-five quid! also, I'm going to get a more aggressive sole fitted to my old pair, so I'm looking forward to that - a harrier with a more lugged sole? The perfect shoe for me!
Jopari, ran from Baildon following The Rombalds route to 12 Apostles & along to Burley & unfortunately didn't spot a bum-bag.
Cheers chaps, just realised my post was a bit mis-leading. It's just the keys missing, not the bum-bag :o)
Doh !!
Forecast for the week is looking promising for those of us who want the bogs to freeze up a bit :)
Didn't get up there unfortunately, ran out of time and had to run from home instead. Hope someone finds them for you.