SHORE ROAD

CORNHOLME, TODMORDEN

I’ve named this climb Shore Road but it’s actually an amalgamation of six different roads; Pudsey Road, Shore New Road, Pudding Lane, Bluebell Lane, Gall Lane, and finally, Mount Lane. Leave the A646 in Cornholme and pass under the rail bridge; your target is the road heading up to the right – narrow and framed by stone walls. Hit this hard and pull yourself up through a collection of houses. Here you can take a breather before you bank right to leave town on Shore New Road. This is the toughest stretch of the ascent – a wickedly steep, rough, and rugged left-hand bend that leads to more 20–25% slopes. Around you the scenery is somewhat Tuscan, with rolling, interlocking hills dotted with luxuriously renovated farmhouses. Just as Pudding Lane turns into Bluebell Lane, take a left on to Gill lane to make your way to the top; the road is hard all the way to a finish at the junction with Kebs Road.