Toot Hill

Distance: 1516 metres, Ascent: 90 metres, route map

For those of a certain age Brighouse and Rastrick are tainted by association with the local brass band’s god awful Floral Dance. However, as the song reached number 2 in the hit parade of 1977 could it be that not everyone shares my dislike?

In any case, redemption is at hand in the form of a cycle up Toot Hill. It starts amidst the hustle and bustle of Brighouse centre and ends in the quiet of uphill and upmarket Rastrick.

Roads, canal, river and railway all compete for space in the centre of Brighouse and it should be easy enough to find the railway bridge over the A643 and proceed in a southerly direction.

You won’t get far before you hit a mini roundabout where you want to leave the A643 by carrying straight on up the incline of Bridge End. You won’t get far before you reach a T-junction where you want to head right up the gentle slope of Rastrick Common. Follow this for another 500 metres or so towards the Junction Inn and enjoy the thought that climbing hills on a bike isn’t so hard after all and that perhaps your grandparents could do it with you next time.

Banish all such thoughts by turning left in front of the pub and going up TootHill Bank. It’s about 300 metres of proper climbing until you hit the corner to the left when the severity ends and you can call a halt.