Snake Pass

[kazino21]

I drove up from London earlier today to drive the snake pass and the cat n fiddle. Left around 4 ish and got up there in perfect timing for heavy rain (had my wipers on full blast which doesn't happen too often in the south) and fog. I can't remember exactly what time I reached but there wasn't much traffic, the ones that were there were overtaken easily. I gave it my best shot but as was suggested kept wary, I did push a bit but obviously due to the conditions kept it nice and smooth. What an incredible road, you can see through the corners mostly, I couldn't use headlights due to the fog and I could still see quite a bit, the surface was alright too. I saw the possiblity for aquaplaning around corners (thankyou PSM) and God help me if I ever come when there is black ice. Couldn't see any of the scenary apart from the sat nav indicating water and lots of greenery, but I will definately make the trip again when the weather is better.
I didn't bother to do cat n fiddle with the poor weather and also it was getting late and have to be up for work tomorrow. Something for next time

[dan1981]

I did both snake and woodhead the other night.

Starting from Ladybower dnake was horribly fog bound until i got a little higher and then it was clear and gorgeous.

Took it pretty easy and then when I got to the other end hung a right and came straight back via the Woodhead which I know quite a bit better.

Was buzzed by a high speed evo 5 or possibly 6 just near ladybower - white with reg J***EVO. - He was NOT hanging around!

[cw42]

ben said:

cw42 said:

Holme Moss! Bliss Do that on my way to Oldham at night for work at least once a week. I've done some filming on there too:
http://www.scoobysmacs.co.uk/videos/mine_on_holme_...

Not working?

Using google chrome atm and it worked fine for me Ben

[Shay HTFC]

cw42 said:

Holme Moss! Bliss Do that on my way to Oldham at night for work at least once a week. I've done some filming on there too:
http://www.scoobysmacs.co.uk/videos/mine_on_holme_...

That road should be used as a hill-climb venue

I managed to get out on Monday afternoon and did the snake, strines and woodhead, then cut down "devils elbow" into Glossop, excellent route:
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&saddr=A624&a...

I think they do use it as a hill climb venue (but only for the Tour De Britain whatever it is on bicycles )

And has anyone ever noticed on the google map of Glossop that it seems to be the epicentre of some sort of small nuclear blast that stops it being in the Peak district with a perfectly circular border.

Just hit Holme Moss again on the bike and the dizzying down hill speeds you can get up to is pretty scary! I love the contrast in climbing up from the Huddersfield side pushing through those hair pins, then reaching the peak and hammering it down the other side where the road seems to flow a lot smoother!

[Killer2005]

Going to have a go at these when spring comes around again

[dr_gn]

Puff Puff said:

TVR Moneypit said:

Ganglandboss said:

kazino21 said:

Would love to go on a bit of a drive before winter well and truly sets in, is the snakes pass a bit too dangerous to have a proper go at in a rear wheel drive mid engined car?

Not at all; I manage OK. The biggest hazard on the Snake has been mentioned - weather, Sunday drivers and shed draggers.

It's as dangerous as you choose to make it.

Take heed of the blind bends, water and mud run off from the hills, poor surface and drainage, and ice / tree sap under the trees and you will be fine.

Simple really, just read the road and drive accordingly.

I drove it in the dark for the first time yesterday. I'd add to the advice above: Don't be rushed by faster cars, if someone steams up behind you, let them pass.

I drive on the A57 a lot - to get to the start of Mountain biking rides or walks or Manchester Airport mostly. I agree it can be as dangerous as you make it, but a lot depends on other drivers too. Here's my story: Was behind a car going along the viaduct going towards Sheffield, with about eight cars behind me. We all go through the lights at the Bamford junction and the guy in front indicates right to turn into Ladybower Inn car park. We all have to wait behind him 'cos the car parks busy and he has to wait about 10 seconds before he can get out of the way. The roads too narrow to get by him on his left for some reason (can't remember why). To my utter amazement I notice a prick in a Chrysler whatever it is (the one that looks like a 1930's Gestapo car) pull out from the back of our line of cars and proceed to overtake everyone at speed. When he gets about 10 metres from the front, the guy in front of me turns into the car park, blocking the idiots path (now he realises why there was a queue of cars). I then drive away with him still on the wrong side of the road and about three car lengths behind me, and obviously he's at a standstill BUT...when the road is clear in front of him, instead of just pulling in behind me where next person had left a gap for him, the prick accelerates and pulls alongside me (YES he did! on the wrong side of the road!) into a series of totally blind bends immediately ahead. He pulled in front of me just before the first bend and then drove like a madman to Sheffield. A biker coming the opposite way would have been dead. No doubs. I had my missus and baby son with me in our 306 and we *had* been coming the opposite way about an hour previously. I was very upset by the whole episode.

A lad at where I used to work was killed on those same bends a few years back, but from memory he was on the wrong side of the road on his motorbike and he hit a car. I think the poor car driver was badly hurt too. So anyway, be careful on these kind of roads - there *are* idiots out there that do real-life stupid things. I wouldn't have believed it unless I'd seen it.

The other thing that sticks in my mind on the A57 was being overtaken by a McLaren SLR heading up the climb at Hollow Meadows. I have never seen anything on the road accelerate like that thing did. He was *gone*. Perfectly safe mind.

Cheers.

Edited by dr_gn on Monday 5th January 23:01

[cw42]

dr_gn said:

Puff Puff said:

TVR Moneypit said:

Ganglandboss said:

kazino21 said:

Would love to go on a bit of a drive before winter well and truly sets in, is the snakes pass a bit too dangerous to have a proper go at in a rear wheel drive mid engined car?

Not at all; I manage OK. The biggest hazard on the Snake has been mentioned - weather, Sunday drivers and shed draggers.

It's as dangerous as you choose to make it.

Take heed of the blind bends, water and mud run off from the hills, poor surface and drainage, and ice / tree sap under the trees and you will be fine.

Simple really, just read the road and drive accordingly.

I drove it in the dark for the first time yesterday. I'd add to the advice above: Don't be rushed by faster cars, if someone steams up behind you, let them pass.

I drive on the A57 a lot - to get to the start of Mountain biking rides or walks or Manchester Airport mostly. I agree it can be as dangerous as you make it, but a lot depends on other drivers too. Here's my story: Was behind a car going along the viaduct going towards Sheffield, with about eight cars behind me. We all go through the lights at the Bamford junction and the guy in front indicates right to turn into Ladybower Inn car park. We all have to wait behind him 'cos the car parks busy and he has to wait about 10 seconds before he can get out of the way. The roads too narrow to get by him on his left for some reason (can't remember why). To my utter amazement I notice a prick in a Chrysler whatever it is (the one that looks like a 1930's Gestapo car) pull out from the back of our line of cars and proceed to overtake everyone at speed. When he gets about 10 metres from the front, the guy in front of me turns into the car park, blocking the idiots path (now he realises why there was a queue of cars). I then drive away with him still on the wrong side of the road and about three car lengths behind me, and obviously he's at a standstill BUT...when the road is clear in front of him, instead of just pulling in behind me where next person had left a gap for him, the prick accelerates and pulls alongside me (YES he did! on the wrong side of the road!) into a series of totally blind bends immediately ahead. He pulled in front of me just before the first bend and then drove like a madman to Sheffield. A biker coming the opposite way would have been dead. No doubs. I had my missus and baby son with me in our 306 and we *had* been coming the opposite way about an hour previously. I was very upset by the whole episode.

A lad at where I used to work was killed on those same bends a few years back, but from memory he was on the wrong side of the road on his motorbike and he hit a car. I think the poor car driver was badly hurt too. So anyway, be careful on these kind of roads - there *are* idiots out there that do real-life stupid things. I wouldn't have believed it unless I'd seen it.

The other thing that sticks in my mind on the A57 was being overtaken by a McLaren SLR heading up the climb at Hollow Meadows. I have never seen anything on the road accelerate like that thing did. He was *gone*. Perfectly safe mind.

Cheers.

Edited by dr_gn on Monday 5th January 23:01

So having plenty of oppurtunity, you took his reg and reported him to the police?

[dr_gn]

cw42 said:

dr_gn said:

Puff Puff said:

TVR Moneypit said:

Ganglandboss said:

kazino21 said:

Would love to go on a bit of a drive before winter well and truly sets in, is the snakes pass a bit too dangerous to have a proper go at in a rear wheel drive mid engined car?

Not at all; I manage OK. The biggest hazard on the Snake has been mentioned - weather, Sunday drivers and shed draggers.

It's as dangerous as you choose to make it.

Take heed of the blind bends, water and mud run off from the hills, poor surface and drainage, and ice / tree sap under the trees and you will be fine.

Simple really, just read the road and drive accordingly.

I drove it in the dark for the first time yesterday. I'd add to the advice above: Don't be rushed by faster cars, if someone steams up behind you, let them pass.

I drive on the A57 a lot - to get to the start of Mountain biking rides or walks or Manchester Airport mostly. I agree it can be as dangerous as you make it, but a lot depends on other drivers too. Here's my story: Was behind a car going along the viaduct going towards Sheffield, with about eight cars behind me. We all go through the lights at the Bamford junction and the guy in front indicates right to turn into Ladybower Inn car park. We all have to wait behind him 'cos the car parks busy and he has to wait about 10 seconds before he can get out of the way. The roads too narrow to get by him on his left for some reason (can't remember why). To my utter amazement I notice a prick in a Chrysler whatever it is (the one that looks like a 1930's Gestapo car) pull out from the back of our line of cars and proceed to overtake everyone at speed. When he gets about 10 metres from the front, the guy in front of me turns into the car park, blocking the idiots path (now he realises why there was a queue of cars). I then drive away with him still on the wrong side of the road and about three car lengths behind me, and obviously he's at a standstill BUT...when the road is clear in front of him, instead of just pulling in behind me where next person had left a gap for him, the prick accelerates and pulls alongside me (YES he did! on the wrong side of the road!) into a series of totally blind bends immediately ahead. He pulled in front of me just before the first bend and then drove like a madman to Sheffield. A biker coming the opposite way would have been dead. No doubs. I had my missus and baby son with me in our 306 and we *had* been coming the opposite way about an hour previously. I was very upset by the whole episode.

A lad at where I used to work was killed on those same bends a few years back, but from memory he was on the wrong side of the road on his motorbike and he hit a car. I think the poor car driver was badly hurt too. So anyway, be careful on these kind of roads - there *are* idiots out there that do real-life stupid things. I wouldn't have believed it unless I'd seen it.

The other thing that sticks in my mind on the A57 was being overtaken by a McLaren SLR heading up the climb at Hollow Meadows. I have never seen anything on the road accelerate like that thing did. He was *gone*. Perfectly safe mind.

Cheers.

Edited by dr_gn on Monday 5th January 23:01

So having plenty of oppurtunity, you took his reg and reported him to the police?

No, I didn't. I'm still waiting for the police to come around after someone tried getting into my house...5 years ago. The chances of them following up an incident like this I assume is nil.

[Sam.F]

I like the Snake but find Derbyshire Plod's new attitude to policing it (i.e. lie in wait on the straightest, safest overtaking section in an unmarked van) utterly depressing...

The wide, open stretches as you get closer to Sheffield are still great fun though - love picking off queues of slowpokes on the long climbs!

[Antonio 82]

I 'discovered' this road last weekend whilst taking a friend from Sheffield to Manchester Airport. I looked at the map and saw that the A57 was the most direct route. I didn't realise it was the famous Snake Road!

I had to stop and take a pic:

[homicide]

Antonio 82 said:

I 'discovered' this road last weekend whilst taking a friend from Sheffield to Manchester Airport. I looked at the map and saw that the A57 was the most direct route. I didn't realise it was the famous Snake Road!

I had to stop and take a pic:

bet you had fun in the type r!

[dr_gn]

Antonio 82 said:

I 'discovered' this road last weekend whilst taking a friend from Sheffield to Manchester Airport. I looked at the map and saw that the A57 was the most direct route. I didn't realise it was the famous Snake Road!

I had to stop and take a pic:

Looks like the lay-by at Doctor's Gate Culvert - just before the final climb to the highest point of the road at Bleaklow? Start of a good mountain bike track to Glossop if anyones interested.

Cheers.

[Antonio 82]

homicide said:

bet you had fun in the type r!

Yep! I'll definitely be returning in the summer, hopefully on a dry day

dr_gn said:

Looks like the lay-by at Doctor's Gate Culvert - just before the final climb to the highest point of the road at Bleaklow? Start of a good mountain bike track to Glossop if anyones interested.Cheers.

I can't really remember, but there's a small waterfall to the right of that photo.

[dr_gn]

Antonio 82 said:

homicide said:

bet you had fun in the type r!

Yep! I'll definitely be returning in the summer, hopefully on a dry day

dr_gn said:

Looks like the lay-by at Doctor's Gate Culvert - just before the final climb to the highest point of the road at Bleaklow? Start of a good mountain bike track to Glossop if anyones interested.Cheers.

I can't really remember, but there's a small waterfall to the right of that photo.

Yep I think that's it. I do believe my pal Dino and his Metro ended up upside-down in the gully on the left. Happy days.

Cheers.

[killinginblack]

dr_gn said:

Antonio 82 said:

homicide said:

bet you had fun in the type r!

Yep! I'll definitely be returning in the summer, hopefully on a dry day

dr_gn said:

Looks like the lay-by at Doctor's Gate Culvert - just before the final climb to the highest point of the road at Bleaklow? Start of a good mountain bike track to Glossop if anyones interested.Cheers.

I can't really remember, but there's a small waterfall to the right of that photo.

Yep I think that's it. I do believe my pal Dino and his Metro ended up upside-down in the gully on the left. Happy days.

Cheers.

Doctors Gate is a few corners further up than that pic, the road has much higher kerbing at Doctors Gate. I did the track a few summers ago after hauling myself up the Snake from just outside Glossop.

[WestYorkie]

cw42 said:

Holme Moss! Bliss Do that on my way to Oldham at night for work at least once a week. I've done some filming on there too:
http://www.scoobysmacs.co.uk/videos/mine_on_holme_...

Oh what a road!
From Huddersfield drive carefully through the Villages (I think Holme is the last one).
Then you get to the drop and hairpin then the fun starts.
Reward yourself with an Icecream at the top and then down towards the woodhead pass as CW42 has shown.
A nice little trip out if your from the area.
But please remember Bikers use these roads often too so keep an eye out in your mirrors please.

BTW CW like your Buttertubs pass vid

(Just don't show them Blubberhouses)

[cw42]

WestYorkie said:

cw42 said:

Holme Moss! Bliss Do that on my way to Oldham at night for work at least once a week. I've done some filming on there too:
http://www.scoobysmacs.co.uk/videos/mine_on_holme_...

Oh what a road!
From Huddersfield drive carefully through the Villages (I think Holme is the last one).
Then you get to the drop and hairpin then the fun starts.
Reward yourself with an Icecream at the top and then down towards the woodhead pass as CW42 has shown.
A nice little trip out if your from the area.
But please remember Bikers use these roads often too so keep an eye out in your mirrors please.

BTW CW like your Buttertubs pass vid

(Just don't show them Blubberhouses)

Cheers Yorkie. I'm off to Wales in Feb so I'll have some more films to add then

[LeeThePeople]

This is one of the best roads about for me, its a good drive anytime imo most people use woodhead to get to sheffield nowadays so i find its getting quieter.

Another good road near it goes from holmfirth road into glossop, one of the twistiest roads ive ever been on, its loads of fun but i prefer it at night because without headlights cars seem to come out of nowhere in the day.

We normally go over holmfirth road, where you get all 4 wheels off the ground when driving at the speed limit!! then go to compos cafe for some grub, then its back over holmfirth road, then down this road to glossop then down the snake pass and back, i only live a couple of minutes away at the glossop end.

Cat and fiddle used to be my top road but its full of organ donars in the day and sheep at night so i find it too dangerous.

Snake pass for the win

[cw42]

LeeThePeople said:

This is one of the best roads about for me, its a good drive anytime imo most people use woodhead to get to sheffield nowadays so i find its getting quieter.

Another good road near it goes from holmfirth road into glossop, one of the twistiest roads ive ever been on, its loads of fun but i prefer it at night because without headlights cars seem to come out of nowhere in the day.

We normally go over holmfirth road, where you get all 4 wheels off the ground when driving at the speed limit!! then go to compos cafe for some grub, then its back over holmfirth road, then down this road to glossop then down the snake pass and back, i only live a couple of minutes away at the glossop end.

Cat and fiddle used to be my top road but its full of organ donars in the day and sheep at night so i find it too dangerous.

Snake pass for the win

Do you mean Woodhead Road? From Glossop town centre to Woodhead via the back of the reservoirs? Otherwise known as "devils elbow" for this bit:
http://maps.google.co.uk/?ie=UTF8&ll=53.470698...

[killinginblack]

cw42 said:

LeeThePeople said:

This is one of the best roads about for me, its a good drive anytime imo most people use woodhead to get to sheffield nowadays so i find its getting quieter.

Another good road near it goes from holmfirth road into glossop, one of the twistiest roads ive ever been on, its loads of fun but i prefer it at night because without headlights cars seem to come out of nowhere in the day.

We normally go over holmfirth road, where you get all 4 wheels off the ground when driving at the speed limit!! then go to compos cafe for some grub, then its back over holmfirth road, then down this road to glossop then down the snake pass and back, i only live a couple of minutes away at the glossop end.

Cat and fiddle used to be my top road but its full of organ donars in the day and sheep at night so i find it too dangerous.

Snake pass for the win

Do you mean Woodhead Road? From Glossop town centre to Woodhead via the back of the reservoirs? Otherwise known as "devils elbow" for this bit:
http://maps.google.co.uk/?ie=UTF8&ll=53.470698...

I didn't know google had started supplying us with a 'racing line' option