As proud supporters of the British Mountaineering Council’s campaign to the APPG Inquiry on Access to Nature, Peak District MTB is demanding urgent action to address the unfair and outdated restrictions on cycling access to the countryside.

Greville Kelly, Chair of Peak District MTB, said:
“The Peak District is a national park in name—but not in access. Just 11% of trails here are legally open to cyclists, compared to 22% across England. We need legislation that reflects how people actually enjoy the outdoors today. That’s why we launched our #22PercentCampaign: to challenge outdated rights of way law and give responsible mountain bikers the access they deserve.”

Peak District MTB’s submission calls for:

• A legal right to ride suitable footpaths already in informal use.
• A national target for all National Parks and Local Authorities to open a minimum 22% of rights of way to cyclists.
• A legal duty on the National Trust, water companies, and other landowners to publish Rights of Way Improvement Plans.
• A review of HMRC tax relief schemes to ensure access agreements with landowners are legally enforceable, include cyclists, are developed with local user input, and are transparently monitored to guarantee the public benefit promised in exchange for taxpayer subsidy.
• Recognition of mountain biking’s value to health, rural economies, conservation, and land stewardship.
• Support for MTB volunteers who maintain and repair trails.

From defending Rushup Edge to building partnerships around the Hope Valley, the Roaches, and beyond, the group has shown how responsible cycling access can benefit walkers, riders, landowners, and nature alike.

The post Peak District MTB Joins National Call for Better Cycling Access to the Countryside appeared first on Peak District MTB.

But for a small group, those weekend biking uploads are often a little bit different. 

Take this weekend for example. Clicking on to Facebook, the first thing I saw was a police officer, high-vizzed up, riding a tassled-grips, 16” wheeled bike, stabilisers and all round a market in West Yorkshire.

Last Sunday, it was a bunch of my mountain biking friends  – no bikes in sight – building a dry stone wall in Staffordshire. 

Those two pics were from a Ride Kirklees stand and Peak District MTB dig day respectively, with Chairs Gordon McMinn and Dan Noble sharing the news from each as they push mountain biking on as a force for good.

Brilliantly, there’s a growing number of the mountain biking community who spend a bit of time at the weekend (every so often), out of the saddle and doing something for the community overall.

Dig days, manning stands, marshalling – it all helps to change the perception of mountain bikers, and at times it can help towards making a positive change for mountain bikers too.

And so it was yesterday where I found myself at the Longshaw Moorland Discovery Centre, attending the Kinder and High Peak Advisory Group (KHPAG) meeting. Peak District MTB was invited to become part of the Group back in 2021, following conversations with the National Trust as part of Project 22%. And it’s a fascinating thing to be part of.

KHPAG is made up of representatives from all interested groups in the Peak. We’re there representing mountain bikers, and there are people from horse-riding groups, walkers, climbers, fell-runners, local businesses and the National Trust, who set up the session. And that’s important. They’re one of the biggest landowners in the Peak District and us having a direct line to them where we can share our our hopes and plans – 22% anyone? – and perhaps importantly, see how we can help is a big step forward.

You’ll very rarely get a group of people in a room who care quite so much about the Peak District and improved access as you do at this meeting. And with that starting point, there’s a helluva lot of collaborative work done and a lot more understanding of each others’ aims than you might think.

So what came of it? Well the two things were our ability to feed directly into the emerging vision for the National Trust in the Peak as presented by General Manager Craig Best, which you’ll be unsurprised to hear, we did; calling for improved access (with strong support from others too), and secondly the motion for us to join in a smaller working group with the National Trust to get our teeth into some specific projects. All good stuff and all in the direction of where we want to go with improving things for riders in the Peak. 

And all very encouraging for those of us in the room.

But there’s the crux. How do we get that enthusiasm, excitement and energy out of the room and into the wider world, and how do we get the wider world into the room?

You see the same faces at these things regularly. People with a deep well of knowledge earned over  years of pushing for better – often backed up with a hefty dose of expertise from a ‘real’ job elsewhere. But the decisions being made; the influence being exerted could, quite honestly, only be seen on the ground after the members of that committee have long departed such are the long term plans being drawn up. Fresh views are needed. Could they be yours?

Still, a brilliant thing for us here at Peak District MTB to be part of and recognition of the ever growing role mountain bikers play in shaping the national park for all.

We’ll keep you up to speed on the things that come out of the working group. Relationship building leading to actual access improvements eh? All a bit Project 22 as far as I can see. Slowly but surely.

The post Any given Saturday appeared first on Peak District MTB.

It feels like ages ago that we took a raggedy proposal about sorting Cut Gate to The Showroom in Sheffield, where the BMC’s Carey Davies (now editor of The Great Outdoors Magazine) was asking for submissions to the Mend Our Mountains campaign.

A shed load of fund-raising later (including a memorable 75% vote for Cut Gate in the European Outdoor Conservation Association funding public vote), and helicopters were taking off over a snow-bound landscape to lift the materials in place and make Cut Gate the near-year round ride we know today.

“Cut Gate was a big project for us,” says Chris Maloney, Peak District MTB committee member. “Bringing a broad range of outdoors groups together was vital and it was great to work in partnership with Ride Sheffield, Moors for the Future and The BMC, as well as enjoying the support of the horse riders and walkers.“

“And perhaps more importantly, it helped to establish mountain bikers as an important voice in the outdoors world. Plus, it made it a good ride year round too of course!”

That’s a sentiment that’s shared by hundreds of riders too who have taken to various forums and groups to share their thoughts on the work.

Across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, the response has been positive – a huge endorsement for the community coming together.

It’s been more challenging when talking about work on North America; work that was separate to the Cut Gate project and conducted without significant MTB input but still, we’re one year on and the project remains a significant success in the MTB world.

There’s still work to be done though. On Thursday, we’ll be working with the National Trust and a team of our volunteers at the Slippery Stones end of Cut Gate. Fancy helping out? More details here.

The post Cut Gate: One Year On appeared first on Peak District MTB.

The first footpath is known a Footpath No. 2 in the Parish of Abney and Abney Grange, for those that know the area the footpath runs across Abney Moor linking Abney to Brough Lane.

More info on the DCC website: https://apps.derbyshire.gov.uk/applications/right-of-way/details.asp?appID=04358  

The original application was submitted in May 2019, so its not a quick process.  A considerable amount of work has gone into submitting the application including provision of the Brough and Shatton Enclosure Award of 1850 and the 1949 Rights of Way Schedule.

The second footpath suggested for upgrade is just out of the Peak District. This relates to two footpaths known as Footpaths No. 77 and 78 (Part) in the Parish of Ashover.  For those who know the area this links the A615 opposite Dewy Lane (Dewdale Farm) and Highoredish Picnic Site.

More info on the DCC website: https://apps.derbyshire.gov.uk/applications/right-of-way/details.asp?appID=04341 

Again the original application was submitted in May 2019. Again, the applicant has undertaken a considerable amount of research including a copy of the Lea Manor Enclosure Award from 1776 to 1779.

Whilst we will always support these applications, there are a number of hurdles still to cross including additional research to be undertaken by the County Council, reports to Committee, more consultation and appeals so it could be a number of years before either of these paths are upgraded, buts it’s a start! 

Featured image is the Abney footpath.

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What you’ll have seen is us talking about the 22% campaign. As the Peak District only has 11% of the rights of way network accessible by bike, we want to double that – even if that only gets us to the national average. But it’s a start.
To do that. We’re calling on you to share the paths you think we should chase first – those no brainer tracks and paths that are footpaths for no other reason that nonsense access laws.

“We all know that there is little logic behind many of the limitations on many of the paths in the peak,” says committee member Andy Wood. “With 22 we want to push to improve access and where we can, make those links between bridleways where it’s a nonsense that they aren’t rideable already.”

So what are we doing? Well so far we’ve gathered about 75 paths that you’ve said should be changed over. Many of you have nominated the same paths – and that is helpful as it gives us a indicator of popularity. With the top 10, we’re in the process of contacting landowners to begin the conversation about improved access.

And to do that, we’re making the argument for landowners to enable, encourage and embrace mountain bikes.

Encourage mountain biking on the land they own or manage with improved facilities and access; enable permissive access by upgrading paths; or completely embrace the biking community and work with us to change the whole scope for what riders can do for them.

Andy says “When we get into the room with them we can make the argument really well – the evidence backs up what we’re saying and when we can have a chat we find that people realise we’re a responsible and useful group to work with.
“Getting into that room in the first place is the hardest part though.”

We’ve pulled some details together with Keeper of the Peak to help us get into the room – and if you know any landowners or others who may be persuaded to grant MTB access, we’d love you to share it.

Project 22 brochure pdf >

The post Project 22 Campaign appeared first on Peak District MTB.

Take the survey here

Where is the Goyt Valley and is it any good for mountain biking?

Located a couple of miles northwest of Buxton in the Western Peak District, the Goyt Valley is a fabulous location for many outdoor activities, close to National Cycle Routes such as the Pennine Cycleway.

There are mountain bike routes that go through the Goyt Valley but the area is limited for bridleways and other permissive rights of way for mountain biking. Good data helps drive rights-of-way discussions with relevant stakeholders in the area, hence our survey.

The data collected in this survey will help Peak District MTB better understand the habits of mountain bikers and other user groups visiting the Goyt Valley, and identify opportunities for sustainable development of mountain biking in the area.

Take the survey here 

Get involved

Thanks to Peak District MTB members who have already contributed to this survey. If you are not yet a member and want to get more involved, click here for more info.

The post Goyt Valley User Survey appeared first on Peak District MTB.

Suggestions covered most of local authorities that fell into the Peak District, with most of the suggested routes being in the Derbyshire County Council area. Each suggestion was checked against each local authority’s definitive map to check whether they had already been suggested for upgrade.  As you can imagine this cross-referencing was a time-consuming task as each local authority operated a slightly different system for managing rights of way. Derbyshire County Council, Staffordshire County Council and Cheshire East Councils all have a searchable website, Kirklees Metropolitan Borough Council use grid references and Sheffield City Council don’t seem to have an on-line presence at all. 

Progress to date 

There have been some successes (led by our horse riding friends), including: 

• Upgrade of Public Footpath No 13 to a Bridleway – Parish of Eaton and Alsop  – https://apps.derbyshire.gov.uk/applications-documents/rights_of_way/Applications/x04173.pdf 
• Upgrade of Footpaths Nos 6 (Part) and 7 – Parish of Taddington – https://apps.derbyshire.gov.uk/applications/right-of-way/details.asp?appID=04285  

Footpath upgrade suggestions near Taddington

There are several upgrade requests that have been submitted to Derbyshire County Council which we have supported and we get consulted on any suggested upgrade to footpaths or designating new public rights of way.   

Interesting suggestions

One of the more interesting potential upgrades is to the route from the road that leads to the Strines from the A57 near Moscar Cottages. This would avoid unnecessary road mileage to access the trail around Whinstone Lee Tor.  This is still at the application stage: https://apps.derbyshire.gov.uk/applications-documents/rights_of_way/Applications/x04359.pdf 

Another route suggested to be upgraded is in Matlock. I must confess I always thought it was a bridleway – again this is an upgrade which we have supported, again this is at the application stage:  https://apps.derbyshire.gov.uk/applications-documents/rights_of_way/Applications/x04279.pdf 

Another route going through the system is again in Matlock and it is interesting to see the amount of work that the applicant has undertaken just to get to the application stage: https://apps.derbyshire.gov.uk/applications-documents/rights_of_way/Applications/x04335.pdf  

Route Suggestion Stats

Of the 79 route suggestions: 

• 53 are solely in the Derbyshire County Council area 
• 9 are solely in the Kirklees Council area 
• 5 are solely in the Cheshire East Council area 
• 2 are solely in Staffordshire County Council area 
• 4 are solely in the Sheffield City Council area 
• 6 are shared between a combination of Derbyshire, Staffordshire and Cheshire East Council 
• Of the 79 suggestions, 10 already have permissive access (predominantly on the Eastern Moors), have been approved for upgrades (around Ashover) or are subject to consultation e.g. Moscar. 

Several of the routes that have been suggested – particularly from Rowsley, through Chatsworth and up to Grindleford – are part of a Derbyshire County Council scheme to increase cycle access throughout the county. 

In order to progress these routes, we have been in contact with a number of stakeholders including the National Trust (for routes around Lyme Park, Upper Derwent Valley and the Longshaw Estate), Severn Trent Water (Upper Derwent Valley), Eastern Moors Partnership (Eastern Moors) and the Peak District National Park (Goyt Valley).

The feedback has been positive, but we know things can move slowly in the rights of way world. We will share developments as and when we can.

Elmin Pitts Success

Following the success of the work on the Elmin Pitts Farm route we were in the process of arranging a four-way meeting between ourselves, Severn Trent Water, National Trust and the Peak District National Park Authority to identify sustainable new routes in and around the Upper Derwent Valley. The continuation of these talks and the official opening of the Elmin Pitts trail will be rescheduled as soon as we all have some clarity over the current Coronavirus situation. 

So, what next? 

We have shared the information that you have provided us with the stakeholders to ensure that we not duplicating the work other groups are doing.  Unfortunately, the Coronavirus lockdown has prevented us from arranging further meetings but as soon as this is all over we will do, and look at projects that we can move forward.

You can learn more about getting involved in Project 22% and submit your rights of way upgrade suggestions here.

Thanks

Andy

Peak District MTB

The post 22% Campaign – what’s been happening? appeared first on Peak District MTB.

So what’s going on?

The work currently under way is to restore and protect the bridleway commonly known as North America. MFFP have had this work planned for some time and with permissions in place, have begun work.

While initially it looks quite impactful, please don’t worry. We’ve been asked to look at and comment on the work underway and Si Bowns from Ride Sheffield has been on a visit with the contractors.

“I’ve been up to meet the contractor on site and discuss the works with them and Moors for the Future who’ve pulled this project together (along with Cut Gate bog works),” says Si.
“They’re doing it now to avoid nesting bird season and to satisfy the landowners/gamekeepers.

“They started at the low end and worked their way up, knowing that the material should get better as they go along. The plan is to avoid importing material from off site – they’ll be bringing material down from further up to firm up the bad clay sections.

“I was amazed just how well the majority of the works are holding up,” adds Si. “There’s now a good section of well bedded trail, where the mineral content is there in the material.

“Works here continue until 13th March when they have to be off site. There then should be another 500m or so of trail in by then. I think that a year of settling, along with freeze thaw cycles should see this usable much more of the year round – as a climb too.

We’ll stay in close contact with Moors For the Future on that one so please get in touch if you have any questions.

WHERE DOES THAT LEAVE CUT GATE?

MFFP aim to start work on Cut Gate later in the year. Without going into the details, aligning various agencies, contractors and permissions to the same window can be quite tricky, but MFFP are working hard to line everything up. Throw contingency in for bad weather too and they simply haven’t been able to line everything up for this winter.

The project continues of course, with all parties involved actively engaged in the discussions.

We’ll keep you informed; it’s all moving in the right direction.

The post Cut Gate – What’s the Latest? appeared first on Peak District MTB.

Long story short, there’s new permissive bridleway access going in at Ladybower thanks to the efforts of PDMTB.

But where’d it all begin? Well, waaaaay back in 2015 we started some tentative pitches to Severn Trent Water about improving access around the hills around Howden, Derwent and Ladybower. Going in with the argument that riders are actually pretty responsible and that the science is in our favour, it was great to get around the table with STW in 2016.

“That first meeting was a big step,” says James. “Being able to get in the room with the people who could say yes or no was important, because then we were able to really talk openly with them about what mountain bikers were about, talk through the positives and negatives and actually move things on in the conversation.”

“It was a good meeting,” says committee member Chris Maloney. “Severn Trent and the Peak Park rangers asked us some robust questions, but it was great to be able to show that we are a responsible group and answer their concerns in the meeting”

Of course, that was then – over four years ago – and things slowed right down after that with various niggles, challenges and hurdles thrown up. After our initial enthusiasm and progress, things just ground to a halt as we struggled to keep the conversation going, but in 2019 we managed to get back in the room with Severn Trent Water for a step change in our relationship.

“That second face to face meeting was amazing,” says Chris. “We’d had a faltering dialogue with STW, but we stuck at it and when we were able to pick up with them again they were completely open to discussion and positive about what we were doing.

“To be told we were ‘professional’ and ‘well organised’ was brilliant, bearing in mind we’re just a bunch of volunteers trying things for mountain bikers. Having a raft of evidence of the responsible nature of the mountain biking community was a huge plus too”

In the meeting, we agreed with STW to develop a PDMTB proposed climb and we talked about more routes. It’s early days, but the potential for increased access around the Upper Derwent Valley is now clearly established and it’s down to us to work with Severn Trent Water to look after the access we have in the hope that we can together continue to build both the relationship between landowner and mountain bikers, and also some bloody good stuff for riders.”

James Irwin agrees, “The climb up through Elmin Pits farm is a great. It’s what we’re all about really – putting new access in for mountain bikers. If we can make it good too, it’s even better. We’re looking at the next route now and Severn Trent are really happy with what we’ve done.”

We’re in a situation now where one of the UK’s major landowners is actively and positively talking to us about increased access. And they’re bringing the suggestions to us.

We never knew how a few emails back in 2015 would lead to a collaborative partnership with a major landowner. We knew less that that landowner would come to US with suggestions for new access. But that’s where we are. It’s taken five years of tenacious effort on our part and some fantastic, progressive, collaborative people at STW to talk to us and more importantly; to listen.

We’re changing the attitudes. See you on the hill.

The post Elmin Pits Climb History – Making friends, increasing access appeared first on Peak District MTB.

After five years Rushup Edge (often called Chapel Gate) has finally reopened. You can now officially ride a great winter loop without any busy roads or threats of route closure. Our friends at Vertebrate Graphics have produced a great guide, but now you can official ride up Chapel Gate and down Rushup Edge.

Along with other users, PDMTB asked Derbyshire County Council (DCC) to ensure any repairs in the area were sensitive and sustainable. It’s great to think that DCC may have listened to us as we are pleased to find that no additional work has been done to the popular descent since May 2019. DCC tell us that no further work is planned in the short term and they’ve officially reopened the route. DCC do plan to clean the cross-drains on the Chapel Gate section down to Barber Booth (Edale side) and, subject to what DCC describe as a “funding plan”, to address the drainage of the route at the Barber Booth end of the track (this is something PDMTB have been pressing them to do since the very beginning).

Recently some work has also been done to the top flat section to address the huge bog which was making it difficult for people to pass. This is big improvement.

Photo Credit: Trail Advantage MTB Coaching & Guiding

Have we won the battle?
Our experience with DCC means we don’t trust them to be honest with us so only time will tell whether they return to do further work. But those of you who have followed this sorry tale may be relieved to find we seem to have stopped them dumping tonnes of environmentally damaging road scrapings or wasteful crushed gritstone. And they don’t plan to add any further, unsightly concrete paving either at this stage. Great news!

Recently DCC have removed some of the material placed on the descent and filled in the top boggy section. They haven’t removed the rocks they cemented into the bedrock which look like “crazy paving” but we suspect the weather will wear it away pretty quickly. We’ll have to wait a couple of winters to see how their work fares.

Photo credit: James Williams

But have we won the war?
Well, in our opinion, yes, and no. We’ve had five years where many people we unable to use this route due to a pointless closure and were forced to use a dangerous road. The council attempted to vilify mountain bikers, blaming them for delays and the need for additional consultations. It’s likely this has cost the council money it can ill afford. We never did establish why they wanted to ruin this much loved route. We used a freedom of information request to establish that DCC’s initial excuse (it claimed to be threatened with being sued because the route was unsafe) was untrue. No legal complaint was submitted until six months AFTER the work had started. It used accessibility as a reason despite it never once consulting the local accessibility groups we recommended.

Rushup Edge and accessible trails

The list of excuses went on until we concluded that either DCC were either deliberately trying to mislead, or were just inept at any sensible thought process.

The good news is we believe DCC will think twice before doing this sort of work again, especially without consulting users. We hope that they have listened and learned from the comments made by hundreds of mountain bikers, walkers and horse riders. We hope that our contributions mean the route will remain enjoyable for many for years to come. Having established ourselves as one of the most influential MTB advocacy group in the UK, we would expect to be involved in any future consultation so we can put forward the views of mountain bikers to DCC if work is planned. Perhaps this is the start of a great and special relationship?

But perhaps more importantly, as a direct result of this threat to the trails we love, the numbers of people wanting to be involved in mountain biking advocacy in the Peak District have swelled. From a few hundred we now have over five and a half thousand Facebook members. We’ve reached millions this year on BBC Breakfast, online and even the Jeremy Vine Show! We’ve helped raise over £75,000 to repair Cut Gate. Local authorities recognise the power and value of working with the mountain bike community and we sit at the table with local authorities to voice your views. We’ve helped open up new trails and make some of our favourites even better.

This could never have happened without our members who go out every day and show the world that mountain bikers are great people who love the outdoors and want to help promote, preserve and protect mountain biking. Thanks to everyone who has been involved and keep supporting us. Rushup has been a long fight and it’s likely not to be over just yet. You can help: keep going out and representing us, Be Nice, Say Hi. You can also join as a member and get involved in our projects.

You can get all the previous information about Rushup on our website: https://peakdistrictmtb.org/?s=rushup

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