The Cotton Famine (Rooley Moor) Road: The Ultimate UK Under-Biking Test

I tackle Rooley Moor Road (The Cotton Famine Road) in Rochdale. This is a legendary 5-mile stretch of “serious chunky gravel” that most people say requires a mountain bike. I’m taking my 32mm Panaracer Gravelkings (which are nearly worn out!) to see if we can make it to Bacup without a major mechanical.

Built in the 1860s by out-of-work mill workers during the American Civil War, this road is a monument to solidarity. We hunt for the remains of the isolated Moorcock Inn, navigate the “original cobbles,” and battle the lingering winds of Storm Dave. It’s 1,600ft of climbing on a very windy afternoon – some call it under-biking, I just call it a Sunday.

[Chapters]
0:08 Start in Rochdale: Finding the Cotton Famine Road
2:50 Entering the Moor: Serious Gravel Begins
4:07 History: How the Mill Workers built this road
7:10 Finding the remains of the Moorcock Inn
9:59 The Descent: “Seriously Deteriorated”
14:39 The Chain Falls Off! (A successful descent)
15:34 New Gear: The Garmin 540 Reveal

Kit List:
– Garmin Edge 540: https://amzn.to/4e3Oksz
– DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro Camera: https://amzn.to/3NzYfv7
– DJI Neo Drone: https://amzn.to/4bRWyTB
– DJI Mic 2: https://amzn.to/49XsSBR
– Mouth Mount: https://amzn.to/4bVNdu3
– Panaracer Gravelking SK TLR 700x32C Tyres: https://amzn.to/4rgW91F