In 2022 we listened to your feedback and gave the Manc Challenge a makeover. This is a tough challenge for the fit occasional rider. This is a tough challenge for the fit occasional rider. This route is not a flat procession, but an achievable challenge, which you will enjoy. We had incredible feedback from our previous rides and we are sure we will see many of those riders back again this year. Why not take a look at our Gallery page and facebook reviews!
£45
Please note that the route is subject to change.
The two shorter rides this year head directly out towards Oldham, Saddleworth and Rochdale. The challenge travels along an undulating route to Shaw before your first test. Grane Road all the way, straight up to Grains Bar, before some new roads and a thrilling descent down to Saddleworth passing through Uppermill hills before a long steady climb to the feed station at the fine and stately Saddleworth Hotel. Here you can enjoy great food (including scones) and coffee whilst taking in another great view.
On departing the Saddleworth Hotel grounds, you’ll come to the new section of the route. We head through Rochdale Town Centre and then we head north to the hills beyond Rochdale towards Bacup and Rawtenstall. If you haven’t encountered the bleak beauty of these moors before, take a moment to look around. It’ll be a nice breather on the testing climbs that way. After Bacup we swing west and down into Rawtenstall for our new feed station at Marl Pitts Leisure Centre. Shout out a thanks here to the Volunteers and our kind and enthusiastic hosts, Rossendale Borough Council.
Onwards then towards Haslingden and Holcomb before heading home through Ramsbottom, Edenfield and Ashworth Valley. Having listened to your feedback on previous Challenge routes, this year we present a perfect 100Km ride. And by ‘perfect’ we mean a nice round 5000 feet of climbing as well. See how we look after you!