can anyone advise how easy or difficult route finding might be on the Hobble? The date seems to be approaching rapidly, and getting out for a recce is looking pretty unlikely now!
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can anyone advise how easy or difficult route finding might be on the Hobble? The date seems to be approaching rapidly, and getting out for a recce is looking pretty unlikely now!
Big sections are very easy. You could also look at last years results and see what sort of times others do and so figure how much you would be alone? Start, to withers and done to reservoirs, up road, over dam and all the way to long causeway is pretty straight forward. plus near the start runners will be less spread out. After Stiperden farm on track to golf course is fairly clear, just make sure you get the rising path/ track after steep down on concrete road. After gold course is a bit picky to get path near church. After crossing main road fairly straight forward all the way to S Pike. Also down into HB easy just one bit of care where path shoots off right down to bridge a you enter woods. In HB take second go ell of steps not first. In Heptonstall climb to pub turn R and then look for bridle way off to R, often a car parked on small piece of open ground that the nearest houses seems to have. Latimer with a seat etc. Would be worth checking the way back thru Haworth if you have time as a warm up on race am
thanks Karen :) Likely to be in reasonable sight of others I think as I'll be at a run/walk pace so hopefully should get round ok. Thanks for the tips on specific areas you mention in your post - very helpful and really appreciated.
Have you entered? Hope you have a good run if so!
Shuffle - you'll be fine
Well worn tracks
There are two places where people seem to go wrong. The first is the church after the golf course - it's very easy to miss the footpath dropping down to the right. First time I did the race I went straight on, and last time prevented a small group of others doing the same.
The other place is right at the end, going through the town to the finish. Unless you either know the route or follow someone who does, you'll almost certainly go wrong. I'd strongly recommend checking this bit out before you start.
I've gone wrong in Heptonstall more than once, trying to take the right lane down towards Hardcastle Crags.
And I should know where I'm going...
I went wrong on Penistone Hill once and ended up at the wrong end of Haworth :(Quote:
Originally Posted by BillJ
Agree completely with this. They're both easy to recce if you're in the area as well. On the other hand there's not much excuse for getting it wrong leaving Heptonstall, Bill! For the benefit of anyone else not sure about this, you turn right immedaitely before the Cross Inn, then look out for a track forking right downhill (while you're still in the village). It slants downhill, crosses the Heptonstall bypass, to reach the valley bottom at the Blue Pig.Quote:
Originally Posted by Toreador
Andy surely going up into Heptonstall you turn RIGHT immediately before the pub
Er...yes. Post fixed! You've no idea how often I make that mistake when writing. Not usually when I'm running though!Quote:
Originally Posted by karen nash
Is anyone travelling from or through Ilkley to the race? I'm hoping to run it but need a lift (in return for which I'll pay for petrol and parking). Thanks
It's not just me then. I make the same mistake, knowing and visualising one side but writing the opposite. I've also been known to make the same mistake when running, but usually when orienteering, going too fast and starving the brain. :eek:Quote:
Originally Posted by Splatcher
I intended doing this Haworth this year, either solo or with Mrs tfg, but unfortunately I have to go to Austria skiing! Bummer! There's always next year.... :)
I've not run the Hobble race before but having watched a video it seems that most of the route is made up of fairly good paths and trails. I was therefore thinking of wearing road type shoes which have some tread. I then read a few blogs about runners who had worn X Talons as there are muddy/boggy/slippy sections. Was wondering whether there are sections that are so bad that road type shoes would be a distinct disadvantage? Would appreciate any comments on what type of shoes work best on the Hobble route. Many thanks.
Grippy trail shoes or comfy fell shoes
Some firmness and cushioning in the sole. I find that if I wear a lightweight out-and-out fell shoe my feet suffer from Hardcastle Crags onwards.
Trail shoes are best as DT says. However, if you only have the choice of road shoes or X-talons, wait and see what the weather does over the next week. In a dry year I've worn road shoes and they've been fine. There are only a very few sections where you might think "Whoaa!" - notably, the descent through the woods from Heptonstall to The Blue Pig.
Descent of Stoodley Pike can be slippy and wet
Thanks for your comments. It is for me a choice between road shoes or X Talons. Weather wise it looks like there will be heavy rain on Monday then again on Thursday which will makes things worse but I may take a risk with the road shoes.
I used nike air Pegasus trail both times I have done this race and apart from the descent down to the reservoir early on (where going silly will knacker the legs for later on) I didn't feel I needed more,grip anywhere. The run down from stoodley is on a decent path and there are long sections of paving stones/rocky paths.
Ps if you use x talons your feet will be very sore afterwards
I've worn Highlanders, Mudclaws (!), and Crosslites. The Mudclaws were the most comfortable, but that's because they're the only shoes I've got that don't start irritating my achilles after a few miles.
The descent to the reservoir is now sadly fully paved :(
if there are "spaces" on Saturday can you enter on the day? half hoping you say no -didn't enter as thought it would be too much but now its getting nearer the lure is hard to resist....
Hi Rachel. The entry form says entries closed yesterday, but you could try emailing Brett - his email address is on the entry form.Quote:
Originally Posted by shaunandrachel
Thanks Andy-I have asked Brett but appreciate its hard enough organising a race when people comply with the rules let alone causing last minute problems....its such a good race though!!!
I'm doing the Hobble for the first time this year as a pair with a fellow clubmate. I'm used to long and off-road stuff like the Yorkshireman, Fellsman and LL50. Though I haven't reccied the Hobble I've tread a lot of its route over the past few years and I'm handy enough with a map. Looking forward to it for sure!
Just a couple of questions though...
It seems as though it's more runnable (or at least easier going in places) than the Yorkshireman, does anyone else reckon so?
I'm sure I read somewhere recently what (likely) food and supplies there'll be at the various checkpoints like the whisky before Stoodley - that's the main reason I'm doing it ;) - but for the life of me I can't find this list again. Can anyone point me in the right direction?
it's definitely easy going, 95% trail, track and road... as for food - think doughnuts, hot cross buns and a CP with hot dogs thrown in for good measure and you won't go far wrong.
make sure you carry enough water to get you round, it was in short supply last year - but there is a co-op in Hebden Bridge where you can get some.
see you there!
Nice one, cheers! Mmmmm, hot dogs - those were a lifesaver at Redshaw on the Fellsman...
do you mean the Fellsman? A lifesaver either way!
Paul, it's generally definitely more runnable than the YM, trail shoes really, but you'd get round in roadies in summer; As usual you can go off far too fast and get to Widdop feeling great, then Gorple punches you in the arse!
Some of the climbs are sneaky though and the section from Tod to the Blue Pig takes it out of your legs with the slog up to Heptonstall, good for a jelly baby break up there.
It was hot dogs after Long Causeway last year, and Jura (& grey goose if that way inclined) n Donuts at Mankinholes, just what you need before going up Stoodley!
I'd just like to point out you can also go off far too fast and get to Widdop feeling half dead...Quote:
Originally Posted by alfa_scud
A fair point well made - maybe I was trying to sound better than I really am!;)
Cheers chaps! I'm always a slow starter though I've heard it can get bottlenecked at the first bridge if you're too far back?
And yes, I did mean the Fellsman barnyc, now corrected!
It does (and at the following stile), but there's still plenty of overtaking places in the next 28 or so miles ;).Quote:
Originally Posted by glyderau
The forecast's deteriorated a bit. Maybe I'll carry another layer.
Forecast dry for tomorrow, so far, sleety horrible stuff this morning, be wet underfoot, wish I was a Duck :p
The Met Office is currently predicting rain tomorrow for the area. 50% chance of rain between 11:00 and noon in Hebden Bridge, & lesser percentages the rest of the day. They don't tell you how much rain to expect though, other than "not heavy", ie 1 raindrop icon not 2. It could easily be sleet again, given the predicted temperatures.Quote:
Originally Posted by stevefoster
Looking forward to tomorrow, not expecting to run as well as when I last did the Hobble (2005) when I was leaner, quicker etc. Get the sense that there will be a healthy turnout of forumites so looking forward to seeing everybody.
I'll be the one bringing up the rear so if anyone fancies joining me for a social/ time on your feet type of day out I'm your man.
Looking forward to this! The weather looks ok, not too windy which is the big plus for me.
See you there!
Good Luck to all for tomorrow ;)
And Good Luck to Brett and crew too!
Bit last minute posting but all packed and looking forward to tomorrow. Sadly I seem to be the only one of the wfdbwgua gang doing it this year but at least I have not been thwarted by a last minute freak injury like last year. Probably get a puncture or road closure.
The first time it was suggested I run I questioned my clubmate's sanity. I shall be back in God's own county in the morning, 30 years on, probably last minute as usual.
Met Office now say heavy precipitation between 11 & 12, but not earlier. So, looks like no sleet before Stoodley Pike...