Rivington & Anglezarke Rough Stuff Classic Challenge

A proper enduro rough-stuff gravel challenge - rather than a normal gravel ride.

The route is only around 15 miles, but don’t be fooled by the distance. There’s plenty of climbing, starting with a short brutal climb up Well Lane to get the heart rate pumping and then a continuous elevation until you reach the views Winter Hill. There is plenty of variety in surface types covered. Lots of rough single-track, broken stone, cobbles, stone slab paths, tricky rocky sections, loads of gates, hike-a-bike and a few places where you’ll need to lift the bike over and carry it though grassy sections, depending on the conditions.

Some sections are a real bone-shaker, wrist snappers and there isn’t much in the way of smooth, fast gravel. If you’re expecting wide forest tracks and easy rolling, this probably isn’t the route for you. Saying that the last stretch is awarding along the waterline - River Yarrow & Reservoir, Anglezarke Reservoir, The Goit & goit stream, you also pass many small local lakes on this last stretch back and if you luckily pass the local cricketers having a match.

A throw back to the old British tradition of taking your bike across bridleways and mountain paths than modern manicured gravel. If you like rough-stuff riding, there’s a lot to like. The moorland sections are beautiful, the terrain keeps changing, and it feels much bigger than the mileage suggests.

Warning: definitely not a standard gravel route. I’d recommend capable tyres 2in min and being happy to push or carry the bike when needed. Allow plenty of time for gates and technical sections.

I really enjoyed it, but it’s the sort of route where 15 miles can feel like twice that.

You will also add Spitlers Edge to your bagging collection.