CROSS STONE ROAD

TODMORDEN

The real drama of this climb lies at the bottom of Cross Stone Road, which shoots up from the A646 on an instantly severe gradient. Twisting left then right, left then right, you’ll toil between the grand properties and opulent floral gardens that line the route. Hitting 20% in more than one spot but also easing occasionally, allowing you to compose yourself, it’s a joy to ride. Out of town the road levels at a junction; Cross Stone Road heads straight on but it plateaus for some distance, so don’t go this way. Instead, take the left on to Hey Head Lane. The road rises steeply past Todmormen Golf Club, where pristine fairways are separated from the road by an out of place, almost Mediterranean row of conifers. As you plug on upwards, the gradient ebbs and flows before easing at a dogleg turn. But then comes a sting in the tail – a final leg-breaking push is needed to reach the sanctuary of the summit at the T-junction.