|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
New mountain biking guide for The Peak District and Derbyshire.
Hi all
Jjust published - a new (updated) guide out for mountain biking routes in The Peak District and Derbyshire. "Quality Routes in The Peak District and Derbyshire" by Mike Pearce. This is available from cycle shops and also online, post free from the publishers at www.ernest-press.co.uk or from Amazon at: http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/...096025-6205420 Price £8.50 I think this is a really good guide and deserves to become a best-seller - but then I wrote it so I would wouldn't I ?! Thanks Mike |
Ads |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
New mountain biking guide for The Peak District and Derbyshire.
Ah yes,
The Peak District. The only place in the UK (other then Dartmoor) where the local National Park Authority have seen fit to make it a criminal offence, carrying a fine of up to £500, for anyone cycling on a path other then a 'green lane' or bridleway... This covers all 'access' land in the Peak District. I tried to find out more about the whys and wherefores of this bye-law and was consistently fobbed off and lied to by the Peak Park Authority. Sean Prendergast (the PPA chief warden) told me no new bye laws had been introduced in the 12 years he had been in office. Balls, it was only introduced a few years ago and I have press cuttings in which the PPA warden service state how they intend to use the new bye-laws. I was then told that the bye law was brought in to 'control erosion' and that it also affected horses. Balls, only cyclists were singled out and by far the biggest cause of erosion in the Peak is walkers! I was then told the PPA brought in this bye law under pressure from landowners. However when pressed there seems to be no documents available to show who requested it (probably because it was the work of the anti-cycling element of the PPA). I asked about the wording of this bye law and where it was in force and was helpfully told by the PPA to 'go and look for the signs.' The only user group who got nothing from the Stanage forum were off-road cyclists, supposedly because seeing a cyclist spoils the 'wilderness experience' of red socked rambler types who have driven in to the heart of the Peak District and parked up at the foot of their favourite bit of 'wilderness' before wandering off along with all the climbers, paracenders and so on who have open access. I am glad there are a few route where the powers that be condescend to allow off-road cycling (or rather can't ban it because it uses cycle-legal ROW's), even if there are HUGE areas in the Peak district without a single cycle route see http://www.thebikezone.org.uk/thebik...road/peak.html I also hope your book sells well. However I don't think the Peak District is at all 'cycle friendly'. Many would like to see cyclists banned altogether and the whole area kept as a reserve for the provisional RA. I understand that the PPA even objected to cyclists having access to the popular High Peak and Tissington Trails! |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
New mountain biking guide for The Peak District and Derbyshire.
P.s.
One thing to note is that The National Trust, which owns a lot of land in the Peak District, did not sign up to the Peak park Authorities scheme to criminalise cycling on access land. On all NT land in the UK byelaws already exist prohibiting cycling away from roads and bridleways. However, the fine is only £20 and it is a non-criminal offence. These byelaws are also quite old and the NT is now much more geared towards leisure management and permitting responsible usage of the land they hold. |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
New mountain biking guide for The Peak District and Derbyshire.
Interesting response.
In all the years I've been cycling for fun and for leisure in The Peak District and Derbyshire I have never had a probelm with the Peak Park Authority or their wardens. The few times I have met a warden on the hill they have been very helpful as they wish to encourage sensible use of the Park for all. When I've contacted them for information or to report blocked access to legal routes (a rare occurance) they have always been helpful and interested. In addition to that I've never yet met an unfriendly farmer either. Some unciommunicative ones for sure, but most have been interested in what I was doing and helful with information that would help make the rides better and to avoid any damage to thier land or animals. I always approach wardens and land owners carefully and in a friendly way and have received a positive response - even from large quarry companies! Thanks for your comments about the book - it continues to sell well which is very satisfying. Mike |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|