Haworth Hobble

[Dave Hardy]

That's pretty much my plan!

[Jez Hellewell]

Surely it can't fail !!

[mr brightside]

Mr B, I trust you'll be having one of those upside down industrial bottles that pubs use; and a funnel to aid the filling of drinks bladders without wasting a drop.

A funnel is actually quite a good idea, Nick. Lots of squash gets wasted by way of spillage.

[stevefoster]

What about optics?

[stevefoster]

I'm looking forward to this whisky boost Luke, to float me up Stoodley Pike. I will bring a pint glass.

Bloody ell, everyone's heard of the whiskey now, might be none left by the time i get there:sneaky:

[DinoF]

Bloody ell, everyone's heard of the whiskey now, might be none left by the time i get there:sneaky:

Don't worry, Steve. I think you will be there before me at least.

[r0bh]

Recced the middle 20 miles of the route last weekend, all good apart from one quick query I have. When you leave the Long Causeway it says in the route description "follow footpath (not the farm track) past Stiperden House Farm". But on the gps track on their website it shows the route as going straight down the track, which seems the logical route (marked as part of the Burnley Way on OL21). Is it OK to use the track or should I stick to the footpath?

[Tussockface]

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.

[crowhill]

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.

I ran round there yesterday. Do you mean some people cheat by not going down the track or path at all, but follow the road all the way round? I can't believe that's quicker - it seems a very big loop? As for the track/path "choice" - last time I did it, it was flagged in the field - that should eliminate any choice or doubt. Be good to hear Brett's take on it though.
I have another route question - There is a short cut that cuts off a bit of the path to Hurstwood dam en route to Cant Clough dam wall - is that legit or should you stick to the track?

[Tussockface]

Do you mean some people cheat by not going down the track or path at all, but follow the road all the way round? I can't believe that's quicker - it seems a very big loop?

Yes. It IS a big loop, but it IS quicker, at least at my end of the field where people tend to be walking the ascents by that stage.
r0bh is correct in saying that the Hobble gps track shows the track being followed, but it also shows a different route back into Haworth so I guess it can't be taken as 'official', despite being on the website.
I'm not sure where you mean when you refer to the Cant Clough short cut, but I can't imagine it's a huge deviation or benefit. I'd tend to stick to the track.