A short film about Gisburn Forest Bike Trails, that have been made with the generous support of many companies, and over a 1000 hours of work from volunteers.
This video was submitted by Tim Royle: “Hi guys, I had a couple of free days off work last week so put together this little film of Gisburn Forest Bike Trails. I grew up around Gisburn and always knew it would be a great place to build some trails. I have helped out on a couple of dig days, and offered my services to put together this little film“
Comments (29)
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Nice video Tim, those big stones must have taken some time to manhandle into position:).
I noticed that you had a power barrow for carrying hardcore, did the Forestry Commission approve the use of the barrow? In Kielder the Forestry Commission will not let us use power barrows on safety grounds and I’d be interested to know on what basis the Forestry Commission in Lancashire allow their use.
We actually have 2 FC owned power barrows and we as volunteers use them when there is a FC rep on site. This is more to do with getting them out the shed rather than supervison. They’re actually happy to let us use them without supervision, just need to sort access to the workshop. And yes some of the stones were very heavy.
Nice video, good to see some digging on it as well as the riding, encapsulates what we’ve been doing very well. love the music too. Only thing that is a bot wrong is the number of volunteer hours so far, we did 130hrs alone last week so i’m guessing the total now is significantly higher than 1000 hrs.
Sweet vid and sweet looking trails. I grew up about 8 miles from Gisburn Forest and used to ride up there on the road, round the circuit and back down. Will have to get there and ride all the new bits soon!
Thrunton
There is no consistent policy across the FC regarding use of machinery like power barrows, it’s down to the local FC reps you deal with as to what they decide. The advantage at Gisburn is that the local FC manager is the most enthusiastic mtb trail builder we could wish for. He’s bought all the equipment and got a small group of regular volunteers whom he trusts and he allows them access to the FC equipment. In my experience, Gisburn is a bit unique in this case, in that it’s a joint effort of FC reps and volunteers, all working together in harmony towards the same goal. In most other locations it’s quite a bit less ‘all together’ and, unfortunately, more ‘them and us’!, if you know what I mean???.
wow, nice little vid, hope your enjoying your trails…
Quote – There is no consistent policy across the FC regarding use of machinery like power barrows.
I don’t think there is any consistent policy about much to do with MTBing in the FC. The only reason machines have been used on trails/’northshore’ in Delamere is to dig them up.
Looks fab – well done guys!
Quote- I don’t think there is any consistent policy about much to do with MTBing in the FC. The only reason machines have been used on trails/’northshore’ in Delamere is to dig them up.
Well then, they do appear to have a consistent policy at Delamere, no mtb trails (or, no unsanctioned ones). Sorry, and all that, but I guess they do have a plan at Delamere, but prehaps mtb doesn’t figure as high on their list as you want.
Nice vid and music. What’s the tune?
My undersanding is not complete, I’ll grant you, but I think they were accepted by the FC when first built, it was seen as a way of keeping MTB activity away from other forest users, it’s a fairly small but well used forest.
After a bit of a falling out with an the local organised, but loose affilation of MTBers they removed the woodwork and Old Pale DH track, on safety grounds was the excuse, but they didn’t flatten the massive dirt jumps and other jumpy bits nearby. There is no segragation of cyclists or other users in the forest, everyone kind of rubs along OK, but a proper track would probably be less hazardous for slower users IMHO.
Back on topic, nice vid from Guisburn though, looking forward to riding there soon.
Fantastic video, and the tune by Lykke li is awesome (bought the album as result)
Gisburn is my closest trail centre , i live 45 mins away in Lancaster, and have been there twice, its quickly becoming my favourite. Especially now with everything north flooded, its a great alternative.
Did the black roller coaster section for the first time on Saturday.
The vid is very good, but doesn’t give a sense of perspective where those two blokes come down that stone /rock section at 00:39, i tried twice on Saturday and both times bailed (admittedly i am a noobie and was on a hard tail, oh and the rocks were VERY wet and slippery)
thats my excuse anyway.
Any idea where we can get to see the pics of the new trail that is being built, the one where there is the long logs, with bits of wood, chipped out of it.
Any idea where we can get to see the pics of the new trail that is being built, the one where there is the long logs, with bits of wood, chipped out of it.
yeti guy, you can find the ongoing saga (with pics) here…
And yes, photos etc. never quite seem to capture the real angle of the Staircase!
Hmm, beggared that up didn’t I?
Oh well, click on the green words above and you’ll get to the right place!!!
Ah, it has a name “the staircase” = my nemesis
Do most people clear it, or is it a fairly tough section
Quite a few bottle the ‘staircase’, like most of the other features at Gisburn it’s a head job rather than anything else. Get over the top step and stay loose and you’ll be around the berms in no time. Even the roots on the right aren’t a problem if you’re not breaking.
Tony and I built the top section including the steps, I bottled it first time but a mate from work was giving me abuse so I did it after that, been down a good few times. There’s another similar drop on the next section of trail (across the fireroad before the concrete bridge) which I’ve now also managed to clear. Still haven’t managed the slab at the top though.
Cool vid and nice to see the trails dry!
All the stone features like the Staircase and the Slab at Gisburn are very grippy even when soaked. A bit of confidence and some basic skills and everyone should be able to ride them.
I suspect you will find FE does have a clear policy on the use of powered tools (and all sorts of other stuff) but it is not consistently applied. Subtle difference in writing, big one in practice 😉
Gisburn is incredibly lucky to have a forester who is so passionate about it and works so closely and openly with the local volunteers. I would give my eye teeth for that level of support and involvement.
However, I have generally found that the standard, clarity and completeness of communication from FE can be incredibly variable. I think it is important they communicate clearly and consitently with a high degree of transparency, especially when dealing with volunteers. Otherwise it just degrades the relationship. And by volunteers I mean people actively involved / prepared to be rather than a bunch of internet warriors, you know what I mean 😉
Well done, a brillint video.
I’m hoping that someone links the trail to the road by Wham (would be about 500m of path) so that we can ride onto it from home in 20 mins
well done again
C
I’ve been to Gisburn on many occasions and each time there has been a rider in front who misses out that section. And usually one behind.
I like it, but I suspect that the majority just bypass it. Shame. As Ed-O says, it’s grippy when wet but confidence won’t let folks have a crack.
Quite a few bottle the ’staircase’
That’d be me then, I still haven’t done it even after Ed’s coaching the other week. 😳
One of these days, though, when I feel The Force is with me… 😀
Yeti Guy
My pics are all here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hoppy66/
Oh yes, beginning to realise that not all forests are equal. You could always defect……. 😈
Quote- Oh yes, beginning to realise that not all forests are equal. You could always defect……. -quote
SingletrAction has some pretty girls involved, so there ain’t going to be any defections. 😉 Although, they are all married now!……hmmm.
Oh yes, beginning to realise that not all forests are equal. You could always defect…….
Alternatively we could try and nick your forester 😉
I meant to swing by and help on Sunday but after a cold, wet and muddy ride I only had time for a brew and butty before it was time to go hope and deal with the kids. Hopefully next time. Knacker said we should come over and help show you how big a rock a few West Yorkshire boys can shift 😉
As always, if you need information hosting and/or dig days promoting the SingeltrAction site would be happy top do so 😎
Are there any contact details for this fabled Gisburn forester? I would like to discuss a few things with him
His contact details are here.
The guy you’re after is Martin Colledge (and no you can’t borrow him).
10 ot of 10 to the guys building those trails
some and plenty of quality work there
Must make that a must to ride next year
Well done good work
Really nice little film, good job! Good music and sits very well with it.
Not too local to me but maybe one of these days…