Calder Divide Trail

The Calder Divide Trail follows the watershed of the River Calder in a long circle across twelve valleys, six moors and one floodplain of West Yorkshire, from ancient bridleways over the South Pennine moors to newer gravel paths through the Southern Washlands.

It is a personal challenge rather than a race: riders choose one of the gravel-bike or mountain-bike routes, roll out through the park in Hebden Bridge on Saturday morning and pass through towns like Marsden on the way. The night is spent at Marsh Farm, a working farm halfway round with a barn for bikes, a Saturday night quiz and a pizza van, or out on the moor for those who prefer to bivvy or ride it in one go. Back at the finish there is pie and peas and an embroidered badge.

The event began as a promise to a friend to do a big ride, and it has raised more than £14,500 for Overgate Hospice so far. It is led by event director Adrian Wright with a small crew of volunteers, some of whom first came as riders.