Mountain Bike Skills

Skills courses at Gisburn and Grizedale - new for this season!

SKILLS courses are now available at Gisburn Forest and Grizedale – an exciting opportunity new for this season!

Mountain Bike Skills has been offering top-class mountain bike instruction for six years and is now extending its course provision into these two fantastic trail centres.

This is the perfect chance to develop skills on custom-built single track with a focus on beginner, intermediate and advanced mountain bike skills.

A day with Mountain Bike Skills will help you develop techniques for: Drop offs, faster cornering, safe braking techniques, jumps and burms, steep climbing and descents, bike set-up and maintenance

Courses are available throughout the week and at weekends. MBS is delighted to now add Gisburn and Grizedale to its existing provision in Kentmere, the Howgills and Rivington.

You can choose to book on skills courses, join guided rides or 1 to 1 sessions or even have support on a group ride where the ability level is mixed.

Running skills courses in trail centres as well as on open access routes means the choice really is yours to maximise the thrills of the UK’s fastest growing adrenaline sport. Lead instructor Mike Stafford has been teaching mountain biking for six years.

You’ll be amazed how much you learn and ultimately how much more you can get out of your riding.

Read some of the fantastic fun and feedback on the blog or magazine. Clients describe the courses as ‘a brilliant experience’; ‘fantastic’, friendly and enjoyable’. Or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

Bike hire is available on request. So don’t miss out – call Mike on 0797 127 5184 or email mike.mountainbike@googlemail.com for all enquiries Mountain Bike Skills is dedicated to supplying first-class mountain bike instruction to mountain bikers of all levels, ages and ability.

Horse riders and mountain bikers using the same trails?

A petition is being circulated to allow horse riders access to bridleways.

As part of The Trust’s continuing campaign for equestrian access to all cycle paths in the Country  a Government Petition has been drawn up asking for legislation to ensure all non-motorised users are treated equally.

The Department of Transport’s view that equestrians should have access to cycle paths ‘wherever possible’ provides a let-out for all those Councils who continue to discriminate against what could be seen as a minority user group.

How this will effect mountain bikers shoudl be part of the debate.

David Cameron is on record as saying he believes any petition that has 100,000 signatures should be debated by Parliament. So the petition's organisers are aiming for that – 100,000 by September 11th irrespective of who wins the election.

Cosi Towneley of The Trails Trust www.thetrailstrust.org.uk said: "There are millions of horse riders, cyclists and walkers who use the nation’s network of bridleways, and we hope everyone will present a united front on this important safety issue. Please also contact your MP and any Ministers you can think of – put ‘Who is my MP ?’ on Google, etc. and you can find their email address by typing in your own postcode."

The text of the petition is as follows: We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Legislate to end discrimination on cycle paths Since 1968 all bridleways, irrespective of width, sightlines, surface, urban or rural, have been legally shared by walkers, cyclists and horse riders. Yet legislation ensures access only to walkers and cyclists on cycle paths. Bridleways are used as part of the Safe Routes to School network, yet horse riders, over 85% of whom are women and children, are forced onto dangerous roads instead of sharing safe, off road cycle paths. There are well over 29 accidents between horse riders and vehicles per day, 10,658 per year, many of which result in death or serious injury. There is no justification at all for discriminating against this vulnerable user group. Please put right the wrongs of the last 40 years and save lives.

The petition is here

Will mountain bikers benefit being in the Yorkshire Dales?

IN the ongoing debate about whether or not mountain bikers would be better if the northern area of the Howgills joins the Lake District National Park or the Yorkshire Dales National Park, we have received this reponse from the Yorkshire side!

Here Mark Allum sets out some of the interesting developments that have taken place for mountain bikers and the development of bridleways:

There have been a significant number of initiatives with regard to cycling and mountain biking over the last few years. Some have been at a strategic level but the list below should give you a flavour of the more practical projects. Infrastructure Rights of way.

The National Park Authority has delegated responsibility for rights of way within the National Park, and maintaining the network is a priority programme for the Authority. Pennine Bridleway.

We are currently close to completing the Pennine Bridleway National Trail through the National Park which is a 52 mile section.

This has involved a number of significant new creations and repair projects. This leaves the National Park at Hell Gill, but the continuation from there to the Fat Lamb pub is also complete.

Natural England is looking to extend this into Kirkby Stephen. In addition to the main route we will be looking to promote a series of mountain bike loop routes. Small things.

We have also tried to address a number of small infrastructure issues such as providing bike parking (lockers, stands etc). A local supplier was used as a source for Sheffield type cycle stands and securing rings. The latter are far more discreet and can be simply attached to a wall, often looking like an original feature. This makes them particularly useful in an area like the National Park with large numbers of listed buildings and strong planning controls.

These stands and rings were then distributed free to local shops, businesses and accommodation providers who were then responsible for fitting them. This has been highly successful with over a 100 sites now supplied with cycle securing devices. Cycle lockers were provided at Grassington and Hawes.

We have also provided taps to fill water bottles/Camelbaks at out toilet facilities.

Promotion

Nearly all our promotion work has included not just in the National Park, but also the surrounding towns and the Nidderdale ANOB. Mapping. 1:40 000 scale maps.

This is a series of four maps covering the Dales and Nidderdale designed for walkers and mountain bikers in particular, with all rights of way shown. A grading exercise was carried out on the bridleway and green lane network using the CTC grading scale.

These routes were then highlighted in ski run colours on the maps. Some routes were deliberately excluded were there are very significant management or erosion issues..

Leaflets.

We have produced leaflets on cycling in the area which are then distributed nationally through tourist information centres. Website. www.mtbthedales.org.uk is our major promotion tool providing a full range of information on businesses, routes, and news on the area.

The aim is for it to both inspire new people to visit the area, and for regular visitors to find out what new is happening.

Shows.

Attendance at a number of shows including the York Cycle Show, OpPad in the Netherlands and The Outdoors Show at Birmingham over a number of years. We have also supported a number of journalist visits from the Netherlands and Germany specifically to showcase the outdoor opportunities available. Business development We look to promote cycle businesses through the cycling websites as well as our own, and work with Cumbria Tourism and Welcome to Yorkshire to ensure information at this level also acts to promote businesses.

Cycle accommodation.

We have looked to develop cycle friendly accommodation and have supplied a number of providers with tools, bike wash facilities, maps and promotional material. Over the last five years there has been considerable cycle business development which has often attracted significant grant support.

Dales Mountain Biking has developed the Dales Bike Centre at Fremington offering a shop, accommodation, café and cycle hire in addition to their range of courses. Kudu Bikes has become well established in Hawes, as has Off the Rails in Settle. More recently bike shops have opened in Settle and Grassington.

Mountain biking in Lake District and Yorkshire Dales

ANYONE who has the adventurous spirit of venturing east of the M6 or Whinlatter to the Howgills will know there is some awesome mountain biking to be had.

Even mbr has at least three killer loops that take in these epic hills.

Now the authorities are consulting about extending the boundaries of two national parks: Lake District National Park and the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Mountain bikers are being urged -along with residents, walkers, holidaymakers, farmers and local business owners - to have their say about which national park should take responsibilty for the area.

The decision will have a direct impact on how bridleways will be managed around the fells.

Consultation

We went to a public meeting in Orton this week to get to the bottom of what is being proposed. You can find out all the details at the dedicated pages on the Natural England site. There are some good interactive maps which will help you understand the boundaries being talked about.

There is an extension to the north of the Yorkshire Dales to take in the remaining Howgills, among four others.

There is a further extension to the north of the A685, or the east of the M6, around Orton and Ravenestonedale which has been deemed suitable to join a national trust - but not which one. So the debate centres on whether it would be better to join the Lakes or the Dales.

Join the debate

This is a national consultation so anyone can have their say and vote. The blogging community are already setting out some arguments.

Some of the main arguments that have been raised so far concerning mountain bikers are:

Which authority will invest the most in mountain biking in this area? Mountain Bike the Dales mtbdales is the authority site dedicated to promoting mountain biking for the Dales (not to be confused with mtbdales.com - see comment). We spoke to Kathryn, the manager there, and she was very proactive about investing in mountain biking - offering at one point grants to bed and breakfasts for bike stands etc. She sees the future of mountain biking in the Yorkshire Dales about promoting use of bridleways but with the complementary use of waymarked routes, to avoid the need for maps. The Lakes already has Whinlatter and a wealth of resources for mountain bikers (Staveley and Kentmere being one of the best centres). But much of the terrain remains very busy and crammed with walkers - and is often very technical indeed. Will the Lakes manage the demands of the Orton area?

Given that most of the land in this area around Orton is owned by private farmers rather than the National Trust as in the Lakes, this needs proper representation by decision makers, especially if bridleway networks are to be developed

The Lakes is a much more established mountain biking brand, so will this experience benefit the area? Do they know what mountain bikers need?

You have until March 17 to have your say! You can request a consultation pack at nwdesignationproject@naturalengland.org.uk

Healy Nab trails now waymarked

THE trails at Healy Nab are all labelled and way marked - so get your kit out before the winter really does kick in.

And the dedicated few behind making them have called on some more help to get the job 100% finished off.

There's an appeal though: please do not ride on the new stuff yet until it has had time to bed in.

James Hillman has set up a Facebook group to generate interest at I Dig Healey Nab - so if you can spare time to help out please do!

James said: "Just to let you know that we have started up a dedicated group for the development of the trails at Healey Nab (and hopefully shortly the surrounding area!) - I Dig Healey Nab. For those of you are interested in helping out please join the group.

 There's a load of us meeting up at the Houghton Arms in Withnell on Tuesday 1st Dec 8pm. See the I Dig Healey Nab page events for details. For those of you have not been to the Nab recently i am pleased to report that the contractors are back on site and the extension to the red is well underway.

Please please give these trails a chance to settle - and don't ride the new stuff yet- especially with the decidely damp autumnal weather we are currently experiencing! Hope to see you all on the trails or in the pub in the near future."

Mountain bike Rivington

FOR anyone interested in riding around Rivington there are some great trails described on Moredirt.co.uk which are well worth a look.

It's impossible for one outfit to bring them all together on one site a - and Moredirt are doing a fab job getting folk to write in with their own updates.

The site really goes to show how social media can help the experience. A word of warning, though: rangers around the area are particularly hot - they have to be as it is so popular, and a lot of the mountain bike loops wander onto footpaths. Be warned.

Gisburn forest - the best unkept secret

NEW trails in Gisburn forest have to be one of the worst kept secrets around.

Hundreds of people from around the North West appear to have heard on the grapevine about the new multi-ability routes around the forest near Slaidburn.

And while the forestry commission seem to be pondering how best to move the project forward, riders are simply hopping on their bikes and getting down and dirty.

We were there - along with at least 200 other bikers - this weekend and it was awesome.

Mountain bike thefts - be warned

THERE appear to be a spate of bike thefts all exposing the vulnerability of roof bike racks. So be warned! At least two bikes have been stole in the north Manchester region using exactly the same ploy. Theives are often following cars which have cool bikes on the roof - and then waiting for the car to be unattended even just for a few moments. The bikes are then broken out of the roof rack arms, even when they have been locked with a key, and off they go. The pain is that it is ironically so easy for the thief to then ride off on your pride and joy! Ric, from west Manchester, said: 'I couldn't believe it. I had been out riding in Haigh Hall and then got home, put the kids to bed, and when I came back out onto the drive my full suspension had gone and they'd left my wife's where it was.' Another victim's bike was nabbed from the Peak District. He had gone into a local pub with the car parked strategically in view. What he hadn't banked on is someone nicking the bike hidden out of view behind another. So be careful! Bike roof racks might not be the best option!

Mountain mayhem - original sensation

WHAT an awesome experience!

Mountain bike skills was part of a 30-strong team riding the world's biggest mountain bike endurance event for Original Source at the weekend

And our team of five managed 21 laps in 24 hours - so not a bad effort. Each lap was 9.5miles with 1,400ft climbing.

In all, we were totally blown away with the whole event. The sense of occassion and adrenaline was phenomenal.

pleasure seeking

The track too was a knock out - congratualtions to Patrick and his team for designing and maintaining one of the best single track loops we have done in the Malvern hills for a long time.

The route set out with a gentle grass climb out of the stand and then cheekily weaved its way through the forest, including a superb fast descent to the lakes.

The long pull out of the stand further along the ponds took you up a small road climb then back into the mud and under the trees to negotiate all the slippy roots.

Then came the descent to the lake, weaving in and around all the bushes and negotiating some fine tracks down to the rocks.

Another long climb took several riders out with cramp but the pull was worth the effort for the superb views at the top and an awesome descent back into the stand.

Praise has to be given for the upkeep: on realisation that the kahooners descent was going to be carnage (we lost five riders down there on the warm up lap so in competition it really could have been a bit much) there was a new route put in place, and similarly else where.

We were graced with good weather and only a couple of showers in the nights changed the terrain, and cost teams time through the night.

night riding

When the lights were needed (compulsory after 8pm) the fun really started. To think the winning single man did 27 laps in 24 hours gulp as well as the rest of us pushing on through the early ours... but it was worth it to see the sun come up at 3.30/4am. Magic.

In all, my heart sank at the start when the commentators asked how many people were back for the second year and hardly any of the 2,500 riders raised their hands. 'No repeat custom, then' I thought. But I can honestly say that won't be the case for me.

This is one ride I could do again and again. Who knows next year we might make a team all of our own! Let's hope so...

Mountain mayhem

THE time for training is over. The time for talking is over. It's Mountain Mayhem this weekend at last and we are riding for the top event sponsor - Original Source.

We are a team of around 30 in all and the excitement is beginning to mount, with last minute phone calls about who is taking what and who can car share with whom.

Original Source Mountain Mayhem is a 24 hour mountain bike endurance event for teams and soloists.  From its humble beginnings back in 1998, the event has grown and developed over the years to become the biggest and best 24 hour mountain bike endurance event in the World. 

With thesupport of Original Source, 2009 is set to be the best Mountain Mayhem to date with 2500 competitors which is made up from 450 teams & 150 soloists all being watched by 15,000 spectators and supporters.

The event is held in the stunning grounds of Eastnor Castle Deer Park in the heart of the Malvern Hills, with an approximately 9 mile long course designed to be testing and rewarding for a wide range of abilities, from plucky have-a-go riders through to National Champions and Olympians.

In addition to the year’s most hotly anticipated and toughest contested racing, Original Source Mountain Mayhem offers a huge amount more.

On Friday 19th June our Dirt Demo Weekend begins, the largest mountain bike demo in the country, where you can test ride the latest bikes from the top manufacturers in the land for free.  We have a vast trade village full of displays & shops as well as free activities for all the family, including the Mini Mayhem children’s bike skills course.

See you there!!