About IMBA-UK >> Updates >> Update 67 (Nov 2009)
Forestry Commission Scotland's Ae Line Trail at 7Stanes
Welcome to the IMBA UK Members update.
If you have information, news or events for the next email update, please by Friday 18 December. I look forward to hearing from you.
Less than 3% in Wales and 4% in Scotland have enjoyed an off-road cycling visit in the last 4 weeks according to recently published surveys by the Forestry Commission and its partners in Wales and Scotland.
What is going on here? Despite large scale investments in the provision of off-road facilities we are still not seeing a growth in the uptake of mountain biking as a regular recreational activity. If IMBA is to succeed in making trail opportunities available to all, this figure needs to change.
What do we need to do to make our sport more accessible? Or is the nature of off-road cycling necessarily exclusive? If this figure remains static, what implications does it pose to the existing trails ?
What are your thoughts on the subject, should IMBA be looking for opportunities to make mountain biking more main stream? Please let us know, what are your thoughts / views? Send your thoughts to .
Under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003, recreational users have a right of responsible access to land which means most paths and tracks in Scotland are multi-use. The Scottish Outdoor Access Code provides detailed guidance on the responsibilities of those exercising access rights, the code is based on three core principles; care for the environment, taking responsibility for your own actions and respecting the interests of others.
Across Scotland there are more and more areas where cyclists have to share paths and tracks with horse riders and there are responsibilities on both sides to ensure these encounters are safe and pleasant for all concerned.
Horse riders need to be alert for cyclists, tyre tracks on the surface are a good sign that you might be about to meet a cyclist, keep dogs under control and where possible move to the side to allow cyclists to pass without dismounting. If a rider meets a cyclist on a corner its best if the horse goes to the inside so that the cyclist can negotiate the wider outside of the bend. Where paths are narrow and well used by wheeled vehicles we encourage horse riders to dismount and kick to the side any dung their horse may produce.
Cyclists in turn need to ride with care in areas of multi use making sure their speed does not alarm others, always alert others to your presence, a cheerful hello can work wonders! Horses especially cannot see behind them so a silent bike coming up behind a horse and suddenly entering his vision from behind can end in total disaster where the horse can bolt or the rider fall off!
Sometimes mountain bikers in full face helmet, goggles and large gloves can look very intimidating, so be aware of how you look and give a happy wave to those who share a path with you.
All riders on horses and bicycles should wear florescent /reflective gear while out and about, it's safer as you get seen easily by vehicular traffic and noticed by others.
If as a cyclist you are going to remember one thing about horses it is "Please say hello to horses" alert them to your presence so that they are not suddenly frightened. If we all act with courtesy and acknowledge each others needs then there is no reason why horses and cyclists can not share paths in harmony!
Thanks to Helene Mauchlen of the British Horse Society Scotland for this helpful article.
Graeme MacLean has been appointed to the post of Project Manager. He starts on 30 November. Graeme comes from a local authority background and has a range of experience working across a number of projects. He is very enthusiastic and engaging and very keen to begin his new role.
Break the Cycle is a documentary about downhill mountain biking in Ireland. Made up of 8 short films featuring the top Irish downhillers including Colin Ross and Glyn O'Brien the film also showcases some fantastic scenery and the some hidden gems of trails. The film blurb states that "Break the cycle aims to get an insight into the lives of those top Irish mountain bike riders, to show their individuality. Shooting them at the places they ride, train, work and live while showing off the amazing landscapes on this Island." The film aims to "look into how these riders have used their bikes to 'break the cycle' of everyday life". Well worth a watch I (Paddy Harrop) was lucky enough to go to premiere (and aftershow party) and would recommend the film to all mountainbikers. The music also features some of Ireland's up and coming bands too. More info and pictures at Break the Cycle.
"The Trax" is an exciting brand new North London cycling club for the riders of Lordship Recreation Ground (the Rec), North London and beyond. Affiliated to the CTC (UK's national cyclists' organisation) it is now open for membership (currently free) and encouraging local people to join up.
The Trax is focused on all off-road cycling disciplines and so is open to mountain bikers, BMX riders, freeriders, downhill and dirt jump riders, amongst others. All ages as well as all levels of ability and experience are welcome. Non members are more than welcome to come along on one of the regular rides before joining the club.
The club meets regularly on Saturday mornings for tea and a slice of cake before heading out for either a local ride or an away day ride in the surrounding trail centres and bike parks.
Lordship Rec is the home and heart of The Trax club and has a long history in cycling. It opened the first model bike track in the 1930s and has had a dirt BMX track since the 80s and more recently a freestyle BMX skate park with a growing vibrant community.
Cycling is ingrained as part of its DNA and it does not stop there as in 2011 the Rec will become home to a brand new multi disciplined bike park. One of the first of its kind, this urban off road cycling centre will serve the local community through a 200 metre recreational racing track with berms and progressive jumps, a pump track and a North Shore skills area. Haringey council is currently working on achieving a £2.5 million match funding to release a £4 million grant made available by Heritage Lottery Fund for the proposed overhaul of the Rec, during which the new bike park will be built alongside a new city farm, an eco centre and major regeneration and landscaping works.
One of the key aims of The Trax club is to contribute to the plans and management of The Trax Bike Park in close cooperation with Haringey council and the Friends of Lordship Rec.
For more information and to check out the Saturday ride schedule, visit The Trax website or email , phone 07990577206.
iBikeRide.com has announced the launch of their Trail Review service.
The special thing about this service is that most of the reviews are from bloggers so you know that the description is from real riders. So genuine warts and all!
iBikeRide is asking riders to make sure that their special trail or bike park is listed and if not to share their experiences and if it is there, then great and you can add your individual comments and ratings (be they good or bad), as you wish.
Covering the whole of the UK and many international destinations the Trail Review service covers favourites such as Swinley, Afan, Chicksands, Innerleithen, the Chilterns and many many more. There are around a 100 reviews so far and iBikeRide are aiming to get all the best centres and trails covered by the end of the year. Please help us!
Reviews are packed full of real life rider experiences as well as the really practical stuff like where the trail is, how to get there and the facilities on offer so you can get the most out of your trip.
Daniel Mintz founder of iBikeRide.com stated "With the Trail Review service iBikeRide are getting back to our roots by building a really useful knowledgebase of the UK's tremendous array of trails and bike parks based on the experiences of riders".
Visit Trail Reviews for more info.
Botanist David Bellamy is backing a drive to get more folk to saddle-up and don their walking boots in Country Durham's biggest woodland - which also happens to be his back garden!
The Forestry Commission has chosen 2,000 hectare (5,000 acre) Hamsterley Forest for the launch of a UK first visitor scheme, aimed at nurturing even stronger links between local people and the Pennine beauty spot, near Bishop Auckland.
A new Discovery Pass has been unveiled, giving all year-round free parking in the forest for £38, along with discounts on cycle hire, Christmas trees and forest café, along with seasonal newsletters. All the proceeds from the scheme will be re-invested back in the woodland. The initiative - a first in the Forestry Commission's 90-year history - is being piloted at just three other woods in northern England - Dalby Forest in the North York Moors and Whinlatter and Grizedale in Cumbria.
Discovery Pass holders get a colourful seasonal e-newsletter with information about up coming events and tips on exploring the every-changing forest.
Card-holder benefits also include a 10% discount in the forest shop (£3 minimum spend), a free packed lunch for mid-week cyclists using the uplift service at Descend Hamsterley downhill course and seasonal offers from the Wood n' Wheels bike hire centre. Over the past decade nearly £1m has been invested at Hamsterley creating bike trails for riders of all abilities, from cross-country to downhill. It's also a prime spot for walkers with 15 miles of waymarked walks and 17 miles of bridleways.
Passes can be purchased from Hamsterley Forest Visitor Centre, or by logging onto the Discovery Pass website.
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