Whilst out riding the popular bridleway known as ‘The Beast of Hope Cross’, near Ladybower Reservoir in the Peak District, a mountain biker noticed a potential danger and decided to investigate the source of some smoke.
After detecting the smell of smoke, the member of PDMTB followed her nose and discovered a campfire that had likely been left smouldering from the previous evening. Fortunately, she had phone enough signal and the fire service were able to quickly attend and prevent any risk of it spreading. The fire had generated enough heat underground and in the surrounding rocks to ignite some nearby twigs. In fact, the stones had retained so much heat that they exploded when removed.
As mountain bikers, we often find ourselves in remote areas, so it’s crucial to know how to prevent small issues from escalating into larger problems.
Here are some key tips to remember:
- Ensure your phone battery is charged.
- If you encounter any fire risk, call 999. What may seem insignificant can quickly grow into a much larger issue.
- While the “What 3 Words” app can be useful for giving your location, it doesn’t always work without a signal. (Fortunately, in this case, the phone signal was strong enough for the emergency services to pinpoint the location from the call.)
- When you call 999, ask for the fire department, and potentially Mountain Rescue, depending on your location.
- Wait for the emergency responders to arrive and guide them to the remote location.
Credit Katy @Upcycle_kit