Another in our series about the committee members of Peak District MTB, this time the spotlight is on Esther Hobson.
WHY DID YOU GET INVOLVED WITH PEAK DISTRICT MTB?
When works started on Rushup Edge I was upset that our beautiful countryside could be irreparably changed for no reason. I was so incensed that I called up Derbyshire County Council and accidentally managed to be put straight through to the man in charge. When he told me that it was going to cost £70,000 I didn’t think I could stand by and let them spend so much on something so pointless, especially when I see so many people suffering due to council cuts. What started as an angry phone call has grown, via a little picnic on a windy hill, into something much bigger and more positive. I want to make the Peak District somewhere where mountain biking is welcomed and cherished and I don’t think that’s an impossible task.
WHAT DO YOU DO IN PEAK DISTRICT MTB?
Write the occasional letter to Derbyshire County Council and spend my weekends riding the trails: because I’m so slow I can look out for repair opportunities. I also go out with the Peak District MTB members from Experience Community who use mountain trikes and hand bikes and try to show them what a great place the Peak District is to explore.
FAVOURITE RIDE
Too many to chose from! I’m lucky that I can ride from my door into the Peak District through the Rivelin Valley, but also love visiting further afield such as trails round Chinley, Marple and Kinder. Anywhere with a good view is good enough for me.
FIRST BIKE
A third hand Raleigh Bullet, sprayed pink and renamed Raleigh Ballet. I wasn’t convinced and didn’t really get hooked on mountain biking until I moved to Sheffield.
BEST MOMENT ON A BIKE
Adventures! Out with the mates, dragging myself to the top of a mountain, staring at the view and feeling on top of the world. Occasionally this happens.
WORST MOMENT ON A BIKE
Adventures! Out with the mates, dragging myself to the top of a mountain, in the snow, mud, fog, falling in a bog then pushing back down the other side. Mostly this happens.
ANYTHING TO CONFESS?
I conform to gender stereotypes and delegate virtually all mountain bike maintenance duties to my in-house bike butler.
