Pay and play - Rochdale

[alankemp]

I am organising a pay and play day for Sunday 26th June. The site is at Whitworth near Rochdale, Cowm Leisure, web site to be posted shortly. The site is 150 acres of all sorts of terrain and on the second and last weekends it is open to 4X4's only with no bikes so we get the whole site.

There is a non damaging circuit of 4.5 miles at green rating with reds going off at various intervals. Or you can just play wherever. There is a big pond which is fairly clean, ie no floating bits of mud and grass to block your rad, (see avatar, you dont have to go that deep). Mud, rocks, big steep slopes, sections etc. Owners are very freindly and will pull you out (if no one else can, as was my case). Butty van, toilets , jetwash etc.

Cost is 25 squid for the day and is well worth it, (used to be 10). They have done a lot of work on making the routes and now have a heafty insurance bill. They also have to do an environmental impact assesment to placate neighbours who are making life awkward for them.

Anyone interested?

[red]

i just had a look on the map and its 2 far away for me
im afraid :(

[JamesD]

yeah sure, rochdale not too far from me! i'll have to see if im working though :rolleyes:

[jjsaul]

Possibly but will have to check dates nearer the time :)

[HCR]

Possibly - only about half an hour from me. How non-damaging are the non-damaging routes?

H

[alankemp]

The green route can easily be done on road tyres and there are no big sticky up rock to get yoy below, nor are there any tight sections which may get your sides. You can miss out any bits you dont like as there are plenty of escape routes.

Web site is still under construction but there is a little bit of info there.
WWW.COWMLEISURE.CO.UK (http://www.COWMLEISURE.CO.UK)

[DentedDisco]

I think you'll find the price is now £30 which is a complete rip off!
£10 to £30 I don't think so.......but you know what they say "fools and their money".

[alankemp]

I think most pay and play sites start at £25 (waits to be corrected), they have quoted £25 to me on the phone and at that price I personally think it is good value considering you can play all day, and they have at least some facilities.

If you are going just to drive around 4.5 miles of graded route, yes that is expensive but there is a lot more to do, albeit a little riskier depending on driving abilities.

I have spent a whole day there in my disco without damaging it, before the route was made. (I did however drown it by going too deep in the lake and had to be brought home by the AA).

[DentedDisco]

Perhaps you'd better ring them again then....it's £30!

[alankemp]

Perhaps you'd better ring them again then....it's £30!
Just did, spoke to Darren and it is £25.00. I t will go up to £30.00 in "a few months time due to cost of environmental costs".


Have you been to other PP sites, if so how do they compare, terrain, facilities and cost?

[DentedDisco]

Just did, spoke to Darren and it is £25.00. I t will go up to £30.00 in "a few months time due to cost of environmental costs".


Have you been to other PP sites, if so how do they compare, terrain, facilities and cost?

I think the extra £5.00 is for the compulsory jet wash before you leave, so in a few months it will be £35!

Why not do a few green lanes instead, save a few quid , much less damaging or boring.
The course they have set out in Cowm is a joke, but I'll let you make your own mind up. :rolleyes:

[alankemp]

I go green laning all the time. It can work out quite expensive depending on where you go, ie fuel costs. Laning is ok but very tame. I am into rock crawling and driving sections, marking out sections to give a challenge and a little competition. I have done 1 trial and enjoyed that but need to practice, where can you go to practice, legally?

I assume you have been there recently and been charged £30.00 and didnt enjoy your day. I have been to a few pay and play sites and think, on the whole they are good value for money. They also take pressure off lanes.

[automania]

ive been to cowmquite a bit. i dont think 30 quid is to bad to be honest ive nbeen to the one near wigan that was either 15 or 25 forgot wich and you could almost fot that into the big pond at cowm. it just seems a lot to go up by but a tenner was an absolute bargain. plus if theres no bikes on then itll be much better

[LandyV8]

I’ll be up for that Alan. Hopefully my dad and I will be there. I’ll let you know for definite near the time. All depends on if I get this paint job finished on my 110. I have been once before and it was a good day out.

Cheers

[LandyV8]

Some pictures from last time I went so you get an idea what the site is like

[alankemp]

Weyhey Lewis, what did you do to become a site donor?

Due to the negative replies from dented, I thought I should check out the site again so went up Sunday am to do just that. The site has changed since the last time I went. It is now a quarry with a "marked" course rated at green (easy, non damaging). I was taken around the course they set up for last week and it was over three miles long. Anybody who want a little offroading that is slightly more challenging than laning then this would be suitable. It is advisable to walk some of the sections before driving them so you know what is coming.

As you go round there are many red sections going off the green which look very testing and some look near impossible but challenging. All sections are avoidable, ie there is an alternative way round if you dont like the look of them.

Owners will tow you out if you get stuck on route but not if you are playing off route. No problem with others helping you out though, playing off route is not encouraged. The owners would like to see vehicles sticking to the marked routes and certainly no one should go in the opposite direction on any section. If you find a section you like, there is no problem with repeating it provided you are going in the right direction. (All to avoid two vehicles meeting on a blind hill).

The course is changed every week and new sections are being made all the time. On some sections, wide gates allow you to choose, for instance, the big rock climb or the muddy or rutted climb.

I was impressed with the sections, although a little disappointed at first that you cannot simply go where you like. The up side of that is that you are less likely to collide with any other vehicles, (if you have been on the 4x4 fundays, you will know what I mean, they are great fun but you dread someone coming up the otherside of what you are going up).

I was shown some quite hard red sections that have never been driven before and cant wait to have a go.

The cost IS £25.00 not £30.00, they say they have never charged anyone £30.00. The cost will go up in the future. There is a toilet on site and a decent hot snacks van, jet wash is available for a charge but not compulsory.

I hope we can get a few of us there for a good day out. :p

[LandyV8]

Sounds good Alan.

I have been a site donor for a while. About 4 or 5 months ago when I donated.

[Strange Rover]

Will keep eye on this as tempted, all I need to do is get the Disco protected !!!

And ideally fit a snorkel... so if any knows a cheap source for Disco 200 TDi snnorkels please let me know !

Is is Saturday's and Sundays ? or just the Sunday ?

[alankemp]

Dates are 26th June, 10 July, 31st July, all other dates are for bikes only.

I went yesterday and had the best offroad day since starting at Easter this year. The quarry has been set out as a non damaging green route which is exactly as descibed. Peeps who did it say they enjoyed the day and didnt damage thrir vehicles at all.
I did the red route and it was awesome, strangely enough, also non damaging, with the exception of the odd scrape on the chassis. If you have a low tow bar, you will get stuck occasionally but I coped ok. Met a guy who has also just started off roading and we helped each other out as and when needed. I was in a defender 90, bog standard apart from bfg at tyres, no protection underneath, no rock sliders. I didnt miss any of the sections except for a couple of water filled bomb holes which were impassible without a winch.

No damage and had a fantastic time. Some ofthe drops are not for the fient hearted, lots of technical rock crawling, some of which we "added" to the route which is fine as long as you are not silly about it and keep in the right direction of travel. No worries about some one coming at you on a blind summit. All in all a fantastic day out.

[Strange Rover]

Now I have the disco up and ready,

is this place open next weekend ? Sun 26th June?

is anyone going ?

[alankemp]

Yes it is open Sunday 26th, I am definate andplan to arrive bout 9.30 in time for a brew and to meet up with peeps. Official opening times are 10-4 but I have been there after 4. Two other guys I have met on site are going, maybe's are Landyv8, strangerover, JJSaulI will post location and directions this week.

[Strange Rover]

How about a little list


1) Strange Rover - Mark O - 200TDi Disco

[Strange Rover]

Also any directions ?

[LandyV8]

Yes it is open Sunday 26th, I am definate andplan to arrive bout 9.30 in time for a brew and to meet up with peeps. ill see you there Alan. should be about 9:30 - 10:00 ish.

cheers

[jackthedog]

I'm going to try and make it. Is it an easy place to find, or is it well hidden?

[LandyV8]

I'm going to try and make it. Is it an easy place to find, or is it well hidden? here is a map of the site.

cheers

[jackthedog]

Excellent, thanks for those!
Looks fairly straightforward, I'll deffo try and make it.

Just need to look at my leaky rear diff before straying too far from home :rolleyes:

Vehicle-health permitting, I'm there! :)

[automania]

think ill pop along too look out for a crappy old lightweight.

[Strange Rover]

Well I'll be leaving Liverpool about 9am-9:30am iash...

Will have a mate along in a V8 Rangie Auto

for my satnav, is there a road name where we are going?

thanks

[JamesD]

think attitude metal and some others are heading over that way on sunday too... u might all meet up! I've got no pennies so can't come :( :'(

[alankemp]

Thanks for posting the maps Lewis, I have not been on for a few days, mega busy with work at last. Sounds like there could be a good turnout.


The lane you turn into for the quarry is called Tong Lane and is off the A671 Rochdale to Bacup road. If you are coming from Rochdale/M62, and you pass the Whitworth sign, it is on the left, opposite a Co-Op shop which is set back on the right hand side of the road. Turn into Tong lLane and go over the cross roads, the quarry is at the end of the lane, top of the hill, on right.
SD876 185

Mobile 07967 106652, Alan Blue Defender 90

[Strange Rover]

thanks for that

I'll most likely be there a little late,

will be in the grey Disco with rear overhang protection bars and a Defender front winch bumper (no winch), I'll have a mate with me in a beige V8 Rangie..

Tel: 07799668928 - Mark

looking forward to putting names with faces... not that I ever remember names, but a car I never forget !

[alankemp]

I will be starting the course as soon as I can to get as much in as possible. If we get a few cars together, we may get bottle necks cos its wise to walk the sections first time around. The course can take two or three hours to complete just one circuit so I guess we could all meet up at lunch time at the butty van, failing that, any one not there at 10 could ask the marshalls the best way to catch up with the group, this means you will miss the first few sections but you will get them on the second and third circuits.


I will be doing the red route, this will have some steep drops so any vehicles with a low bumper or rear end may damage the bits that catch. If you are on the green route, there should be no problem going round en mass, although you should still walk some of the sections so you know whats coming.

ALAN - RED
SIMON - RED
LANDYV8 -
STRANGE ROVER -
STRANGEROVER -
V8 RANGIE AUTO -
AUTOMANIA -
JACKTHEDOG -
HCR -
JJSAUL -

[Strange Rover]

ALAN - RED
SIMON - RED
LANDYV8 -
STRANGE ROVER - Green 1st then Red
STRANGEROVER -
V8 RANGIE AUTO -
AUTOMANIA -
JACKTHEDOG -
HCR -
JJSAUL -

[jackthedog]

If I make it over there the red route sounds good to me, if you think a standard 90 on well-worn MTs will cope? :confused:

It didnt struggle at Huntingdon Quarry the other week, but the ground was totally dry, something I doubt we'll be blessed with this weekend :)

[jjsaul]

sorry, dont think we're gonna be able to make it up there Alan :(

[automania]

ill be on the red route. not been on the routes before last time i went you just went where you wanted. can you still do this? just wondering wether to rtake the ground anchor or not.

[alankemp]

Ground anchor not reqired, unless you do the black route which may no be ready and you need rtoll cage, 3 vehicles etc etc.


JJ, I have the dampers off now if you still want them.

I went 2 weeks ago, standard 90, well worn BFG AT's and coped admirably, mind you stayed away from the really muddy bits.

If I can get the tyres on the rims today, I hope to have the simex 36" tyres on my motor!!!!!!! Gave it a 2" lift yesterday and it goes over steep slopes a lot easier.

[alankemp]

ALAN - RED
SIMON - RED
LANDYV8 -
STRANGE ROVER - Green 1st then Red
STRANGEROVER -
V8 RANGIE AUTO -
AUTOMANIA - RED
JACKTHEDOG - RED
HCR -

[LandyV8]

ALAN - RED
SIMON - RED
LANDYV8 - you know me alan ill try anything. Red it is
STRANGE ROVER - Green 1st then Red
STRANGEROVER - RED
V8 RANGIE AUTO -
AUTOMANIA - RED
JACKTHEDOG - RED
HCR -

[jjsaul]

JJ, I have the dampers off now if you still want them.


Hi Alan,

thanks for the offer, but we fitted some new ones a few weeks ago....

cheers anyway :)

James.

[Rich_P]

AGH! How come I never spotted this thread earlier???!!!!

I went there with Otu commonly for a few weeks. Before that, I went there often, because it is just a brilliant place. Although I have yet to go since they brought in these new rules about land usage due to complaints from the residents.

[Rich_P]

So what are the exact details? When are people arriving, and who is coming et.c. and where are people meeting up?

I'll be coming along in just the car to either just be a sad guy and spectate or somehow hitch a ride lol. :rolleyes:

EDIT: BTW, my avatar is at Whitworth too...

[Strange Rover]

Well me and a mate will deffo be there, but are leaving Liverpool about 8:30 ish....

will have CB's... if i can get mine working.. my mate has one anyway..

anyone else with a CB?

what channel ?

cheers

[LandyV8]

Well me and a mate will deffo be there, but are leaving Liverpool about 8:30 ish....

will have CB's... if i can get mine working.. my mate has one anyway..

anyone else with a CB?

what channel ?

cheers I have a CB and i think Alan does. we can chose a chanel when we get on site because somone else will probably be on the channel we chose :p. I'll be leaving bolton at 9 so should be there around 9:30. see you there

[LandyV8]

So what are the exact details? When are people arriving, and who is coming et.c. and where are people meeting up?

I'll be coming along in just the car to either just be a sad guy and spectate or somehow hitch a ride lol. :rolleyes:

EDIT: BTW, my avatar is at Whitworth too... site opens at 10am but i think most will be getting there around 9:30 for a chat and a brew. so far i think the below will be there. may see you there. cheers

ALAN - RED
SIMON - RED
LANDYV8 - RED
STRANGE ROVER - Green 1st then Red
STRANGEROVER - RED
V8 RANGIE AUTO -
AUTOMANIA - RED
JACKTHEDOG - RED
HCR -

[alankemp]

Knew you would go for red Lewis but didnt want to presume, new paint job and all. Fitted wheels and tyre, looks a bit scarey now.

I will take my CB, I will set it on 16 on the way but I have never spoke to anyone on it yet, not sure if it works or not.

I have a spare seat if any one wants a ride...

See ya there.

[Rich_P]

Just got, and I'm pretty well pleased with the chance at going off-road in a Rangie.

I was shown more of what a Landie can do now too! I never knew a Disco 200TDi and a RR EFi could do so much with so little kit.

Now I'm just waiting for John to get the bloody pictures up on his site! :D

[LandyV8]

TOP DAY !!!!! i have loads of pictures that i will upload tomorrow at work. (connection too slow @ home). thanks for a great day Alan. only 1 scratch to my new paint work but nothing a touch up wont fix. Dads Range Rover made it home, just need to bend back the steering guard he he :D

[StrangeRover]

Great fun day out. Great team-work on the technical sections. You can't turn your back for a second.......
Dropped the front off-side wheel off the side of a humongous rock and the Rebel steering guard took the full weight of the fall. No damage to the steering gear at all but the end plate buckled and prevented the steering box going right. With the options being; remove the mangled remains or plot a journey home with only left turns, I removed it!
It just wouldn't be the same if I didn't break something.

[alankemp]

That makes a total of three cars if you count the lads from L'Pool, which damaged the steering or guard. Funny really 'cos I didnt damage anything, oh but I have lost all of those thin spikey things off my tyres.


Brilliant day out, the last circuit was a bit rushed cos we started it at 4.00 when the place rounds up the stragglers.

Cant wait for the pics Lewis, I must get a new camera, one day!

[Rich_P]

I really hope to see the pics taken soon! Especially when the Rangie nearly went over...

[jjsaul]

sounds like an excellent day out. i really wish we would have been able to come up but we didnt have the time and its a good 2 1/2 hours each way for us!!!

[Strange Rover]

Indeed it was a great day out !

and for the first time no damage !

but i did bend my front bumper on that rock near where we first met up with you guys...

But then I got to thinking a minor bend on that bumer = totally knackered stock item !

Had a great day out, and looking forward to doing something like it soon again,
I know my mate jon took some pics and will be posting a link to them...

so... where next ?

anyone fancy some green lanes round Buxton way ? I hear there are plenty of lanes but have never been......

[KcMediaServices]

My first post, so I'll introduce myself at the same time. I'm John, the guy in the tastefully hand painted (And doodled on by Strange rover) Beige Rangie.:bigwave:
It was my first ever off roading experience, and I really enjoyed it. Thanks to everyone for a great day!
And I'm glad you liked the ride Steel
I've just uploaded my pictures on my website, so I hope you enjoy them:thumbsup:

http://www.kcmediaservices.co.uk/Others/index.htm

[KcMediaServices]

Oh, before I forget, you may have to let the pictures download for a few seconds on a slower connection. They do actually 'slideshow' themselves if you leave it and watch.

[jjsaul]

hi john, some excellent piccies there :)

[KcMediaServices]

Cheers :coolgreen
I would have taken loads more (I carry enough gear with me to store around 10,000 pic's), but I was having way too much fun!

[jjsaul]

Cheers :coolgreen
I would have taken loads more (I carry enough gear with me to store around 10,000 pic's), but I was having way too much fun!

I carry a 1 gig card with me but again take loads of photos in one go, then end up having too much fun driving and forget about the photos... :rolleyes:

[jackthedog]

Had a great day, it's a good course with a fairly varied amount of surfaces, good for getting to grips with the Landy.

Worked my way round the red course a couple of times, avoiding only the really sticky bits of the peat bogs up the top... Thanks to the guy in the 110 who towed me out on my first attempt :)

Gave a few people tows out of sticky situations, so the karma is all in order! :rolleyes:

Fully enjoyed my day, definately worth the drive over the Pennines, and I'm sure i'll head out again in the not to distant future!

Just need to get some front towing points and some ropes before next time...
New tyres would be nice too!

[alankemp]

Had a great day, it's a good course with a fairly varied amount of surfaces, good for getting to grips with the Landy.

Worked my way round the red course a couple of times, avoiding only the really sticky bits of the peat bogs up the top... Thanks to the guy in the 110 who towed me out on my first attempt :)

You should have told us who you were, I think it was Lewis (LandyV8) who pulled you out. We were pulling Strange rover out when you got stuck. All the crowd there were off the forum.

I was in the Blue 90 with the big tyres.

[LandyV8]

Yes it was me who pulled out jackthedog.

here are my pictures.

[LandyV8]

some more......

[LandyV8]

this is the last lot

[alankemp]

Great pics Lewis, will use one for my avatar if thats ok.:)

[LandyV8]

Great pics Lewis, will use one for my avatar if thats ok.:) Go ahead Alan. i have just changed mine to one of the new ones too :)

[jackthedog]

You should have told us who you were, I think it was Lewis (LandyV8) who pulled you out. We were pulling Strange rover out when you got stuck. All the crowd there were off the forum.

I was in the Blue 90 with the big tyres.


If you have another event up there I'll come over and say hi :)
Thanks for the tow Lewis!

[alankemp]

I will be there again in two weeks on the 10th July. The course will be changed. I will talk to John on site to get some bits included that were not in this week.


The date after that is 31st July.

Does anybody know of any other fairly local sites? ie within 50 mls of Manchester.

[jjsaul]

great pics lewis.

cant make the 10th but the 31st is a possibility, will have to check nearer the time.

[Rich_P]

I knew I recognised that green 110 from somewhere!!! But I only saw it in the distance when the Disco and John's Rangie were stuck. :p

[StrangeRover]

Does anybody know of any other fairly local sites? ie within 50 mls of Manchester.
Briarcliffe Nr. Burnley offers similar terrain. There's some piccies on Lewis' site from winter.
http://www.landrover-110.co.uk/

[Strange Rover]

Maybe we can make a trip to Briercliffe a "group" event soon ???


have been once, good fun but not as big as Rochdale.

[alankemp]

I think you can only go to Briercliff when the 4x4 fun days are staged. Thats when you get all the idiots on bangers. Still I have had a good day there in the past.

[Strange Rover]

there were a few nutters but i had a great time when i went

[KcMediaServices]

:) Well I'm deffinately up for some more fun.:eek:

[alankemp]

The next one at Burnley is Sunday 7th August, well I'm game for that. I will do a new post. They were there yesterday Sunday 3rd July.


I will be at Rochdale on Sunday 10th, the day before I am doing a few lanes in the Lakes.

[Rich_P]

If I am very very very lucky, Otu will be in a condition to bring up, but unlikely.

[alankemp]

Went again on Sunday 10th, we had free run of the place as it was quiet. Simon (in the red 90 truck cab) and I went a little hardcore for us. Check out these pics taken by a mate.




http://photobucket.com/albums/y62/SimonF1/ (http://photobucket.com/albums/y62/SimonF1/)

[LandyV8]

looks like you had a good day Alan. i see you have fitted your winch. looks great.

[TheGurkha]

Nice piccies.

[Rich_P]

Is the 31st at Whitworth still on?

[alankemp]

looks like you had a good day Alan. i see you have fitted your winch. looks great.

Left you on Friday at Billing and went to a place called Padley Woods with my offroad club. The winch was used a lot to get out of impossible places. We used a ground anchor on one very steep and long climb. It was used to pull 2 90's up (not at the same time) and it didnt move. Superb bit of kit. How was the rest of Billing or is that in a different thread somewhere?

[alankemp]

Is the 31st at Whitworth still on?

Tis 4 I.

[Rich_P]

Tis 4 I.
Wait, so now it is on the 4th?

[alankemp]

Wait, so now it is on the 4th?

No, its 31st, or it is for me (tis 4 I)

[nicks90]

can anyone tell me when they are holding the play days at cowm in august?
i`ve been told the 3rd sunday and the 4th sunday of the month.

confused...

cheers
Nick

LR90 300tdi
Disco 5dr
Deranged rover

[Strange Rover]

yeh... can some one find out dates as me and some mates want to go back towards the end of August.....

perhaps start a new thread for August dates ?

[QUINN]

Is there anyone going this sunday a few of us are going .

[nicks90]

i`ve been told the auguasty play dates are the second and 4th weekend of the month.
so hopefully i`ll be along to play on the 4th weekend (the bank holiday weekend):p

[Strange Rover]

So there is a day @ Rochdale on Sunday 28th August ??

Just want to check as I know a few people who want to get to a quarry :) so want to confirm date before we all get organised....

[alankemp]

Is there anyone going this sunday a few of us are going .

I was there on Sunday, managed to roll my 90 on to its roof. Need a couple of wings and a bit of a paint job. Will be back on the 7th.

[Strange Rover]

how did you manage to roll it ?


any pics for those of us who are a bit morbid ?

[alankemp]

I was there on Sunday, managed to roll my 90 on to its roof. Need a couple of wings and a bit of a paint job. Will be back on the 7th.

Sorry, 14th not 7th.

Rolled it going over a sharp lipped pile and my back wheel went over a rock that tipped it over on to its side then roof then other side then back onto the roof. Lots of people took pics but I have none.

[QUINN]

Saw you there Alan i was with the lad in the disco that you just missed backing up . Hope to chat next time i was in the grey 90 by the way nice motor yours is .

[alankemp]

Glad you stopped me reversing. I was impressed by that ambulance coming down that loose hill, and the nutter going up in the mercedes I thing. He said it has lockers and that is why he went for it. I was sure he was going to roll it.

[alankemp]

Next Rochdale is 14th August, then 28th August. Second and last sunday in the month..

[alankemp]

I have posted some rollover pics in the defender forum for anyone who is interested