Rombalds Stride

[dobster]

Do you still want to do a recce of the moor to the finish?. Let me know when is good for you as not caught you for a while

[Alexandra]

thank you for, very eloquently, clearing up my question. I will follow the described route on all LDWA events.

I hope my previous comments haven't given the impression that I view LDWA events as in some way lesser to others, that is not my view at all. I was mearly seeking a liitle clarification. thanks all for your input.

lets hope we all have a good day - together

Sorry, I didn't mean to stomp all over you. Your post gave me the opportunity to express some passionately held views. Btw, it is also the case that some events in the LDWA calendar do just give a list of check points and leave it up to participants which way they go; and also some events with route descriptions have been going for years without updating them, so that path changes etc have made it impossible in places to do the route as described. Obviously in that case one is free to make one's own arrangements.

[Leeds Rhino]

Did'nt realise until I checked my previous times the other day, this will be my 9th Rombalds. You would think I'd know the way by now !

Got well lost on Ilkley Moor in the fog last year !

[plodding bear]

Went for a plod around Ilkley Moor today - nice and wet at the moment! Very windy up on top, too. I was getting a bit nervous about this run, but since people on here started pointing out that it isn't actually a fell race but a 'long walk' event which very kindly lets runners join in, I feel much better about it now!

[Rob Furness]

the only reason I'm getting nervous is because I haven't had a chance to recce the bits I don't know yet and I've not got hold of the correct map yet either (got one but not t'other). This mainly due to being ill the past week and missing a planned recce of 16 miles with some clubmates that would've easily covered all the bits I'm not sure of. Oh well, not a big deal. I'm treating it as a long run anyway rather than a race so it doesn't matter too much.

I've no idea whether I'll be able to wing it on the day or whether I'll need proper nav skills either (having not done it before).

[plodding bear]

Sounds like we're in pretty much the same boat, Rob. I know the moor bits, I'll wing the rest and navigate on the day. I'm ok with navigation (famous last words!) until I hit built-up areas - like Menston, and Guiseley...

[Rob Furness]

Yeh not far off. I know the Ilkley and Burley moor bits well, and the Chevin I know like the back of my hand. I'm not sure about the bit leading from Guiseley through Esholt woods to Baildon moor, and I've not been on Baildon moor in a while either but as these are near the start I don't see any huge problems. Last bit between the moor and the chevin I've not got to yet either. I'm sure it'll be ok though. My nav skills are very much instinctive, and I'm usually spot on about where I am on a map and where I'm going, I always have a clear instinct about the direction I should be heading and where things are (which is usually correct) but I often think I've overshot and have to check to see if this is the case (usually isn't) which is a bit time consuming but no biggie.

[Derby Tup]

Famous last words again but you'll be fine. I don't think Rombalds is an event to worry about navigating too much. The ground's very soft atm so there'll be plenty of tracks to follow. It's a big field too

[Tussockface]

Yeh not far off. I know the Ilkley and Burley moor bits well, and the Chevin I know like the back of my hand. I'm not sure about the bit leading from Guiseley through Esholt woods to Baildon moor, and I've not been on Baildon moor in a while either but as these are near the start I don't see any huge problems. Last bit between the moor and the chevin I've not got to yet either. I'm sure it'll be ok though. My nav skills are very much instinctive, and I'm usually spot on about where I am on a map and where I'm going, I always have a clear instinct about the direction I should be heading and where things are (which is usually correct) but I often think I've overshot and have to check to see if this is the case (usually isn't) which is a bit time consuming but no biggie.

Don't worry at all about the early sections. It's like a pack run.
If you're going to check anywhere, have a quick look at the urban footpath in Menston, which is easy to miss, and then the cut through the new housing estate between the A65 and the Otley road. If you know the Chevin, this is the only part worth a recce, and you could do it in about 10 minutes!

BTW, I normally stash a bottle of sport drink on the way into Menston, and find it helps over the last few miles. But of course, the event is pretty well supplied with food and drink as it's LDWA.

[Muddy Retriever]

Don't worry at all about the early sections. It's like a pack run.
If you're going to check anywhere, have a quick look at the urban footpath in Menston, which is easy to miss, and then the cut through the new housing estate between the A65 and the Otley road. If you know the Chevin, this is the only part worth a recce, and you could do it in about 10 minutes!

Yes, I agree with that. The first time I did Rombalds I was able to follow people all the way until Menston and then it got tricky.

So for those who have never done it before, if you've not got enough time to do a full recce before the event I'd only go from Ilkley to the end and not bother with the first half at all.