Any bikers out there will be familiar with a concept called the time trial, something which Britain’s cycling superstar Bradley Wiggins excelled at as he demonstrated when picking up a gold medal at London 2012. The concept is simple, how quickly can one person go over an agreed route under their own steam, no racing others, no drafting, no team work, just you testing your own limits. There is no hiding and that is why it has become known in cycling as “The Race of Truth”.

Why though limit it to biking? Here at Saddleworth we thought by introducing our own series of time trial routes we could spice up our training, test our fitness and track our own improvement, as well as see how we fare against our clubmates!

At the moment we have two “short” routes (under 6 miles) and a “medium” route (over 6 and under 12miles) and we will in time be introducing a few more routes including a “long” route of over 12miles.

It really couldn’t be simpler, chose from the routes available on the left hand menu, go out and give it a bash and then post your time on either Facebook or add a comment below and we will update the results which can be found here.

If you are unfamiliar with the routes there are maps attached and any number of Saddleworth members would be happy to show you around the routes… before your first “official” attempt obviously!

As always when fell running alone, ensure that you have the required fitness and skill levels to take on the challenge and that you carry with you any kit required to ensure your safety in case of adverse weather conditions or injury.

Short Routes

Howard Hobble – 4.59miles / 781’

A fantastic route designed by Howard Chambers around the Ogden, Kitcliffe and Piethorne reservoirs.

You’ll be surprised at the amount you can fit into 4.59 miles and with a mix of tracks, paths, trods through fields, fast descents and a couple cracking hills (you better be ready for the start or it will be a shock to the system!) this is certainly a tester.

Will you have enough in your legs for the sprint finish along the dam wall to earn yourself a new PB?!

The route has also been used as a Club Handicap since 2012.

The Alphin Dash – 2.9miles / 990’

At just 2.9miles this is a short one but with just under 1000ft of ascent, it’s sharp too!

The Alphin Dash is a great test of both climbing strength and descending ability and would work well as an effort in the middle of a slightly longer run with a mile or two warm up / cool down either side.

How hard can you push it on the climb without trashing your legs?!

Start and finish at the bottom of Shadworth Lane where it meets Huddersfield Rd (GR: 985035), touch the trig at the top and find out!

Have fun.

Medium Route

Stuart’s Stunner – Approx 9 miles / 2000’

This route by Stuart Hutchison introduces a new element to the time trial challenge…. route choice! Good route choice is an essential skill for a fell runner to have in their arsenal.

It’s not always possible to follow flags on a route and it is not always wise to follow other runners in front of you, after all there’s no guarantee that they know where they are going! So the challenge here is not only how fast can you get from the start to the finish but also how will you get there?!

The start and finish is at the Cross Keys pub in Uppermill and then you need to go via the check points listed below, in the order they are listed, how you get to them though is up to you!

Not only is the run a good challenge both physically and in terms of route choice, it is also beautiful, taking in views from Pots and Pans, Alderman and then the Chew valley skyline it show cases some of the best running we have in the area.

Start – Cross Keys Pub CP1 – Pots and Pans CP2 – Alderman CP3 – Bin Green car park CP4 – Ashway stone (path just below it – no need to actually go up to the stone!) CP5 – Foxstone CP6 – Footbridge half way up Chew Road CP7 – Stile on Oldham Way leading into plantation (below Indians Head) CP8 – Bin Green car park Finish – Cross Keys