Active travel provision around Glossop

 Yeah yeah. Another blog about cycling around Glossop. I know. It seems boring, doesn't it? However, there are a number of reasons why more people don't cycle around Glossop, and having thought about it for a while, I thought it might be useful to pull together some of my thoughts. 

One of the unmodifiable factors of cycling from Glossop is the fact that no matter which direction you go in, it's uphill. Yes, e-bikes are making things a bit better in terms of people being able to deal with these, but they are still there, and still provide a significant barrier to people wanting to travel actively. 

It isn't *just* that is it uphill, it is the fact that all the uphills to get out of Glossop are on pretty horrible roads for cyclists. There are NO cycle lanes to be seen (protected or unprotected)- no matter which direction you go in. Is this a problem? Well... it certainly puts people off. Let me show you why. 

Let's travel in each direction out of Glossop

North

Ok, let's cycle North from Glossop square- straight uphill onto the B6105. It goes Up, up, up and turns into a national speedlimit road that heads East up the valley past the reservoirs, across the dam and bang! There you are on the A628, national speed limit, massive wagons using it as a cut across from the M1 to Manchester, if you want to go further north, its a climb up and over Holme Moss. Yes, THAT Holme Moss. Again, national speedlimit, motorists blatting over there at 60+mph. Not exactly enticing for a cyclist. - If you decided to go over the A628, well, jeez. I mean, you *could*, but no.   

What other options are there?

East

Why would you want to go East?

Well, Sheffield is over there. As is Ladybower, Hope, the rest of the Peak district. How to get there? There is indeed a road that goes east- its the A57, Snake pass. I quite enjoy cycling over it, but every time I'm on it, on a bike or in a car, I see at least one dodgy overtake that could have led to serious crash/death. On a good day, its lovely and quiet. On a bad day, you get passed by people doing between 60 and 90mph, get driven at by people overtaking coming towards you, get close passed, and generally it's a relief to get to the other side. A cycling route? Yes, but really not for the faint hearted, and certainly not one that you'd get nervous cyclists on. 

What options are there?

- uh, none. (ok, there is the TransPennine- but... well, see below).  

South

Why would you want to go South? - 

Well, Hayfield, Edale, Congleton, there are some lovely cycle ways down there. There is a whole load of Mountain biking just over the hill in hayfield... yet to get there... You guessed it- main road. The A624 (Chunal Lane) goes south straight out of Glossop and up a 10% hill. Any provision for vulnerable road users? Hah. Chance would be a fine thing. Up out of Glossop and straight onto the hill in what is actually a 50mph zone, but tends to be somewhat ignored by those who have motors. In with the traffic, and off you go- same road all the way to Hayfield. Once in Hayfield there are a few options, but to get there- A-road all the way. Nervous riders? Carry on, nothing to see here. 

You *could* decide that you don't want to go south to Hayfield- but instead you want to go to Marple Bridge. Technically, there is the NCN62 which wends its way around Gamesley and then joins- you guessed it- the A626 for a few miles until you get through Chisworth, where upon it climbs up a 15% hill onto the (generally) nice quiet roads over to New Mills. If you want to go to Marple, you could go that way, or, to be a little more direct you need to... ah, yes. A626. Bike provision? Nil. Ride with the traffic baby- ride defensively. 

West

Why would you want to go West?

Well- Manchester is over that way- and a fair few people work over there. Surely there has got to be some kind of cycling provision to get out of Glossop and head over to Manchester.... right? 

What options are there?

Out of Glossop down to Woolley Bridge, with all the traffic, up Woolley Bridge road, again, with ALL the traffic. Hang a left, onto the dual carriage way section up to the top of Mottram where half of the traffic is *mostly* at a standstill, and the other half is *mostly* going at break neck speed, and trying to merge with the standstill lane further up the hill to avoid waiting. Cycling? Well, you *could* go up the pavement, but that's kind of not exactly legal- but is the safest option. Beyond that, it's dodging 2 lanes of cars, get to the top, and then dodge cars and lorries down towards the Hattersley roundabout where they all head onto the M67 and you carry on down .... ah yes- the A57. Cycling provision... uh. Zero. 

So, of the options out of Glossop on road, you basically have A roads in all directions. There is a single NCN cycleway which shares a few miles of A road, and other than that....

ah- hang on... there is of course the Transpennine trail. 

Yes there is. It's very pleasant to ride down the trail to the tunnels at woodhead, at which point, if you want to go further towards Sheffield, you're going to need either a fairly decent mountain bike, or a gravel bike and some good legs- and expect to get muddy. It's flat long the Longdendale trail, and then goes up onto the moor- it's a gravel path with steps in which gives way to an uphill slog on grass.

 This way is not an easy cycle- and it goes across a moor- it isn't until you get to Dunford Bridge that it really resembles anything that looks like a cycleway. Imagine if you were in a car on a road, and all of a sudden that decent road just gave way to a muddy grass covered trail that you can only really get a 4x4 down. That's the feeling you get. Useful for cyclists? Maybe, but not really for useful and predictable transport from one place to another.

Take it in the opposite direction and it is a random maze of roads that make no real sense at all. It's almost like someone has said... uh- here ,we need a bike "trail" to run through here... quick, get a highlighter and see what you can do to link it up. Not great. 

Yes. Thats the "direct" route of the TPT from Hadfield Westward.

Oh- but what about the Great North Trail? The cycling Pennine Bridleway. Ah yes, what about it. If you look carefully, it has a great section to the south, and a decent section to the north. Try to cycle into and through Glossop and what do you have? Roads. Any concessions to bikes? None. Any cycleways? None. Anything at all? None. 

Hey cyclists - come to Glossop. Play with the traffic. Try not to die.