Haworth Hobble

[brett]

Sorry for delay in replying - been away!

I have had problems with the farmer at Stiperden, I think that generally people have used to farm track but I would appreciate if runners stuck to the footpath.

That's a very good question.
As I understand it, the official route is the 'path' that runs almost alongside the track. Except that it isn't really a path, because it's so pointless going that way that no-one apart from a Haworth Hobbler ever uses it. The result is that it's left rough, boggy and unmarked.
If the rationale is to minimise inconvenience to the farmer, I don't really get it:
1) The fields get churned up.
2) Right by the farm, you have to scramble back over a wall and drop down onto the track in any case.
3) The track itself is a major long distance route, while the 'path' isn't.

In my view, the BIG 'no-no' at this point is the cheat I see every year, where some people follow the road loop. This is longer, but much faster as it misses all the gloop at the bottom, and a significant descent and climb.


However, we should always follow the instructions given by organisers, as no-one wants to jeopardise an event.
Perhaps Brett can clarify this for us.

[brett]

Yup...

Ooh now, that would be a bit cheeky, if you're talking about the permissive fp that runs next to Rams Clough; huge short cut!

Unfortunately the entry form actually mentions following the bridleway and passing the Hurstwood dam wall (shame!), which kind of prevents the short cut across the spoil heaps as well.

The route off the Long Causeway is an interesting one; I'd agree that the 2011 sweeper's GPS trace follows the track and I'll bet most runners did too.

I suspect Brett is keeping his head down on this one; he's appeased the land owner by putting the 'follow path, not track' wording in but I doubt it'll be an issue on the day.

[brett]

if anyone is looking for somewhere to stay, someone who has dropped out, had a twin room booked at Park Top House (07976-203932)

[BritNick]

That's fair enough and fair comment - the short cut I was referring to was just clipping a corner off Hurstwood, rather than the Hazel Edge one - which I don't know tbh. But for the sake of a minute or so I'll be taking the PBR all the way round.

crowhill, if the corner cut you're referring to is the one by Hurstwood Brook that goes past a sheepfold, that's the official route anyway because the grid ref for CP2 that isn't is on that path junction.

[Tussockface]

The lovely Hobble article in the magazine has fired me up nicely for Saturday. I don't think I've ever been so badly prepared for it but I'm going to enjoy the run out how ever long it takes :thumbup:

You're welcome to keep me company if you think you can maintain a slow enough pace, DT.
Stef and I chatted our way up Stoodley last year, so I reckon it's your turn to provide the entertainment.
(Though to be fair, you used up a fair bit of repartee with me on the Trog.)

[Derby Tup]

You're welcome to keep me company if you think you can maintain a slow enough pace, DT.
Stef and I chatted our way up Stoodley last year, so I reckon it's your turn to provide the entertainment.
(Though to be fair, you used up a fair bit of repartee with me on the Trog.)

I might just take you up on that Tussock. I entered as a pair with my mate Dave C but he has a problem with his solar panels :closed:

[Dave Hardy]

Due to my comical lack of fitness, I'm going to pretend that I'm treating this as a training run for a 100 mile effort later in the year, i.e will spend 90% of the time walking and eating.

[Jez Hellewell]

Due to my comical lack of fitness, I'm going to pretend that I'm treating this as a training run for a 100 mile effort later in the year, i.e will spend 90% of the time walking and eating.

Loving your plan Dave ! I don't know route or area, so will be spending a lot of my time map reading, eating, walking, trying to catch up with people that know the way & waiting for people that also know the way ! Does anybody know how well marked, if at all, the course is ? After The Rosedale Ultra I was following bits of red ribbon in my sleep !!

[Splatcher]

Loving your plan Dave ! I don't know route or area, so will be spending a lot of my time map reading, eating, walking, trying to catch up with people that know the way & waiting for people that also know the way ! Does anybody know how well marked, if at all, the course is ? After The Rosedale Ultra I was following bits of red ribbon in my sleep !!

As far as I can remember it's not marked at all. Just attach a bit of red ribbon to the back of one of the other runners & you should be OK.:w00t:

[Jez Hellewell]

As far as I can remember it's not marked at all. Just attach a bit of red ribbon to the back of one of the other runners & you should be OK.:w00t:

Great idea, but knowing my luck I'll attach it to the back of Jez Bragg.