Help Roger Vieira make Derby your next MTB destination

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If Derby Football Club news is anything to go by, residents of Derby are in dire need of some alternative sporting activities. A group of local riders is hoping to persuade the council to add some new trails to a local park – perhaps you’d like to add your voice in support. Here’s their press release.

Derby’s mountain bike community call for purpose-built Allestree trails

  • Group asking for graded trails designed for differing levels of ability
  • Trails should be separated from other users, keeping it safe and not impacting on rewilding
  • Calls supported by national downhill champion and Derby resident Roger Vieira

A group of Derby based mountain bikers are calling for the city council to consider incorporating purpose-built mountain bike trails as part of its plans for Allestree Park.

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The park, currently going through a public consultation, is the only place within the city that has steep enough hills for a range of trails to be built, catering to both the beginner and advanced rider. Other cities, such as Sheffield and Bath, have seized on the biking boom that has occurred since the pandemic and Derby’s mountain biking community is urging the council to follow suit. This work could be enhanced by partnering with a volunteer-led trail association – something that hasn’t materialised in the past due to the lack of appropriate sites in the city.

The group argues that even though Derby has a vibrant mountain bike scene, its riders are sadly forced to burn carbon and get into their cars and drive to the Peak District, the Derwent Valley or the increasingly oversubscribed Cannock Chase if they want to enjoy their sport close to home.

Derby mountain biking

Of course for many, either due to cost or being too young to drive, the sport is simply out of reach – something properly designed trails in Allestree could alleviate. Funding for the trails could be supplemented by Crowdfunding or by working with national cycling bodies.

The group is being supported by the UK’s National Downhill Mountain Bike champion, Roger Vieira – a resident of the city. Roger said creating a few thoughtful, considered, and professionally designed mountain bike trails on the park would act as a superb gateway for people who want to try the sport – as well as hone their skills.

We aren’t proposing covering the park in a warren of trails with bikers whizzing by scared dog walkers but a small number of considered and well-designed ones – separate from other parts of the park. People from around the city could easily ride to them, cutting down car pollution, and helping to create a focal point for people interested in the increasingly popular sport. I travel around the world mountain biking and see how communities benefit from the positive effects it has. The council needs to seize this opportunity and work with us to create something that could create a lasting positive legacy at a time when cycling is booming. Other cities have succeeded – so why not Derby?

Roger Vieira – National Downhill Mountain Bike champion

Group member, James Coxon, 39, echoes Roger’s view. He said Derby is far behind neighbouring cities despite having a strong mountain bike community.

Allestree Park represents the only feasible place where an appropriate dedicated mountain bike trail could work in the city. The council, with the support from local enthusiasts, have a fantastic opportunity to create a small number of trails which could really boost the cycling culture in the city – as Parkwood and Lady Cannings has done for Sheffield -bringing in tourism, as well as lasting social and health benefits. Often people misunderstand mountain biking as just this high adrenaline sport but a massive part of it is enjoying being out in nature. A suitably designed network of trails, designed for different abilities, could easily and safely sit alongside wildlife habitats in what is a very large park. There is room for everyone, and the trails don’t need to interfere with other users’ enjoyment.

James Coxon, local rider

Anyone wanting to support the calls for mountain bike trails can do so by visiting the council webpage.

Author Profile Picture
Hannah Dobson

Managing Editor

I came to Singletrack having decided there must be more to life than meetings. I like all bikes, but especially unusual ones. More than bikes, I like what bikes do. I think that they link people and places; that cycling creates a connection between us and our environment; bikes create communities; deliver freedom; bring joy; and improve fitness. They're environmentally friendly and create friendly environments. I try to write about all these things in the hope that others might discover the joy of bikes too.

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Viewing 14 posts - 1 through 14 (of 14 total)
  • Help Roger Vieira make Derby your next MTB destination
  • belugabob
    Free Member

    I don’t live in Derby, but I am lucky enough to live in a town with lots of mountain biking opportunities within riding distance, so I wholeheartedly favour any developments which will provide similar opportunities for others (of all ages)

    Richie_B
    Full Member

    If you look at the suggestions page it has already degenerated into a pro-anti cycling slanging match. I loved the comments that there were already perfectly adequate facilities at Cannock & Sherwood Pines, which were shortly followed about complaints about the idea of local mtb facilities increasing traffic and carbon emissions. I suppose at least it shows a need for facilities in the area.

    The comments on a previous thread about this were a lot more measured. We should be trying to push the idea of a space catering for children, runners, walkers, cyclists, horse riders, and wildlife.

    The way it’s coming across at the moment is that the mtb community are as insular & self interested as the other lobbies. The DWT are naturally focussed on nature conservation it’s for us as a group to show how other activities can be integrated with their aims.

    Is there anyway that the mtb community can get together with other groups to show how it could work.

    richb1910
    Free Member

    Sounds a great idea for Derby and will no doubt reduce emissions as less will be driving out of town to the Peaks, Cannock or Sherwood Pines. A few miles away for me so would also provide local MTB area.Win-Win really

    matt_outandabout
    Full Member

    I do like the idea of challenging the ‘mown grass desserts’ that many parks are, dominated by the doggy walking and fenced off ‘play spaces.’

    I have concerns around wildlife trusts – thier main aim is wildlife, not people. I’ve also professional experience of trying to work with them nationally – and it’s not good.

    It seems so many of us don’t want to share of compromise on sharing our spaces these days.

    MoreCashThanDash
    Full Member

    Derbyshire Wildlife Trust sabotaged the plans for a road circuit attached to Derby velodrome, so I’m keen that numbers get behind this to try and push it through.

    Ben_Haworth
    Full Member

    Yay for Allestree woods. Used to ATB a lot there BITD. Good luck!

    DaveyBoyWonder
    Free Member

    make Derby your next MTB destination

    Said nobody ever

    Richie_B
    Full Member

    Derbyshire Wildlife Trust sabotaged the plans for a road circuit attached to Derby velodrome, so I’m keen that numbers get behind this to try and push it through.

    There are keen cyclists who work for the trust but as an organisation it always comes across as being completely blinkered. The existing comments on the consultation are being characterised as a ‘national campaign’ by an equally blinkered lobby. It might be worthwhile posting slightly more broad ranging ideas (or at least mentioning to the people complaining that they will be mown down by hooligans on footpaths that if there were separate trails this would be less likely to happen).

    MoreCashThanDash
    Full Member

    Said nobody ever

    Because we can’t get facilities like this built maybe?

    kayak23
    Full Member

    It seems so many of us don’t want to share of compromise on sharing our spaces these days.

    True dat.
    The dog walkers, well, mainly one specific woman dog walker/campaigner with a monumental chip upon her shoulder and a penchant for tabloid-style alarmism, was and still is extremely keen to get plans for cycling/mtb provision reversed in my town in Warwickshire.

    Most people, deep down, only really have their own interests at heart, or at least when they appear to be rallying for the common good, will often have an ulterior motive.

    I suppose that’s our nature sadly.

    Hope something happens here. Any kind of cycling provision is a move in the right direction imho..

    steveh
    Full Member

    @matt_outandabout via Ride Sheffield I work with Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust quite a lot, they generally great with mtb stuff in this area. I know it’s one among many but proof that they can be good to work with!

    matt_outandabout
    Full Member

    We’ve worked closely with various wt trusts for years.

    It just seems at the very top level they’re happy to behave in a less than ethical and palatable way.

    MoreCashThanDash
    Full Member

    We’ve worked closely with various wt trusts for years.

    It just seems at the very top level they’re happy to behave in a less than ethical and palatable way.

    I found their insurers very easy to deal with when Derbyshire Wildlife Trust farmers caused me to crash and wreck my shoulders

    terry27
    Free Member

    I’m moving to Long Eaton (halfway between Derby & Nottingham) soon from the south. If anyone can point me towards a few good riding areas to get me started I would appreciate it.

    I’m looking at Apps & Maps but while they can show you where rides/tracks are, they never really tell you how a good a ride they are – so tips would really help guys.

    Ta

Viewing 14 posts - 1 through 14 (of 14 total)

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