[Closed] Gisburn Forest is open.

I'll be up there this afternoon but starting from the pub at Tosside about half two. I'll be on a carbon s-works.

Went upto Gisburn this afternoon and using my electricuted Homing-Pigeon sense of direction I managed to get completely lost...the two lads in the Hope shirts/with the kids- thank you for the directions 😀

The short bit of singletrack immediately at the bottom of the big bermed-section- how sublime is that? The big bermed-bit- it felt like a mental haunted house rollercoaster! 😀

The road from Sawley though to the carpark. If you could close the other direction.. 😈

been up for a ride round today, how much fun are the new trails? We had an ace time big thumbs up to the volunteer trail builders (had a packet of biscuits ready for you but didn't see you, maybe you were actually building?) and to the contractors too, we really had a good ride. Nice to see a singlespeed friendly trail centre too, manage to cleam everything except one short climb just after the quarry, I'll have ti next time though - this time I just didn't have the momentum (or a clear exit, someon was in front of me) but next time I will be prepared and will get it.

didn;t see the black trails @ the quarry, but did ride the other black trails we passed including those @ Whelp Stone Crag, and we enjoyed the berms so much we climbed back up and did them again!

The (in)famous gisburn slab was also conquered - I arrived to find Lizzie about to descend it and managed to get the camera out in time

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then I handed the camera over and went round myself

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I reckon the upper slab is around the 28 deg mark, the lower on slightly over 30. would be interested to know the correct figures if anyone *does* take a clinometer up there

big "thanks" again to the people involved in getting it all up and running. I reckon our next christmas weekender might be Gisburn, Slaidburn YHA, then lee quarry on the second day!

A truely great time was had by all.
Thanks Rob and ntb for guiding us around. I was the only one out of 7 who didn't ride the Gisburn slab.

We all came down those big berms laughing like crazy people.

Also the weather fairy was kind to us, not a drop of rain. 🙂

nbt, I thought you might take your ice axes up there to perform the angle of the slope test 😉

If you mean the DH stuff, then it's further on from the quarry, but alot of it was destroyed in the recent clear felling.

We were digging at the bottom of the volunteer built section (the section with the stone pitched staircase at the end).

I thought you might take your ice axes up there to perform the angle of the slope test

I did notice that a couple of the chaps had axe loops on their camelbaks, now that's some fairly hardcore riding if you need axes!

I know now where you were, I remember seeing a crate with a load of mugs at the blocked-off entrance to a new piece of trail - I had been told to expect you after the berms so it didn;t register at the time, sorry!

erny, sent you the .gpx file.

Have fun.

Cheers Stumpyjon

nbt

assuming you camera was level when you took the shots above I've worked out the top slab is around 30 degs and the bottom slab is 35 degs so it looks like I was well off with my initial estimates. Still, need to measure it properly, may be going up on Wednesday so will try then if I get there.

I didn;t have the camera, but it looks level enough, the trees are upright

the trees are upright

always a bonus in any situation 😉

nbt
Sorry, the ice axe ref. was an acknowledgement of your previous posts, re the two sticks of equal length = 45 deg etc. a classic mountaineers test of the angle of a slope (normally done with two climbing ice axes of equal length), due to your earlier post re. mountains, I thought you might 'get it', but hey-ho.

Anyway, I rode down it today with my seatpost up, which was a first (I've previously stopped and put the seatpost down), amazing what a bit of peer preasure does. Not sure about you, but it looks like Lizzie has not bothered putting the seatpost down so much respect to her, It may not be very steep, but it is still a bit intimidating to just go for it.

IF that picture is a true record (and I believe it is) then using the laws of trigonometry the angle of the dangle is 33.87 degrees.

Rode it this afternoon, was actually a bit later than anticipated. Started/finished at pub in Tosside. Rode into Cocklet Hill car park at 5pm just to see how busy it was. Full. Very satisfying, good to see the trails being so popular.

Its about time we had some real way marking. The number of people riding one-way trails the wrong way is frightening - an accident waiting to happen.

PS haven't dropped the seat to ride it either 😀

I know a man who has tho...... 😳

Fizzer
For years it has been two way and the current signage/markers do just that, send people both ways, it's the way it was. All the new directional posts have not gone in yet and the directional inserts are still on order. Basically, we are all riding it a bit premature whilst in transition between old and new. At some point in the very near future they (the Forestry Commision) will establish the new one way trail system and take out the old signage.

If it bothers you too much right now, come back in about a month and all the new one way signage will be up and running. As things are right now, you can't get too arsy with people riding some of it in the wrong direction.

I should add that the FC have no control over internet forums where the word gets out early about new exciting stuff that everyone wants to go and play on. Don't blame them for not having it all immediately up and running for you and me (not that I'm saying you are, but it will all fall into place fairly soon).

stumpyjon, can I have a copy of that file please?
northernreetard at hotmail. com

Thanks

Nana - bit touchy?

B.A. Nana, sorry, yes, I did get it, I learnt the measuring trick from my skiing background though, using ski poles. The posts for the markers are in and have yellow arrows painted on them to show the right direction, very useful that was. We did meet a pair of horses coming down the track just after the reservoir though - thankfully it was a climb for us so we were barely moving

As for the pics, Lizzie didn't drop her seat as she forgot, I didn't drop mine as I rarely bother. Of the 4 others in the group who did it, I think it was 50/50.

Brainflex, not problem I'll send it tonight.

fizzer, Nana made a few fair points, the forestry guys are busting a gut to get it finished, there have been delays from the sign manufacturers and they've not been given any help with the literatutre either. So on top of a full time forestry job Martin is trying to get the maps etc done as well. The guy's a hero.

It's great everyone loves the trails so much, but would be even better if a few more people made the dig days, seems to be down to a core of about 10 of us at the moment, even if everyone just put in one Sunday it would make a big difference.

As for the slab, my seat will be up and down like a tart's draws (got a Joplin) all I need now is the bottle to ride it.

LOL - that was the question i was going to ask - what do you think the conversion rate was; from enthusiastic trail rider/internet commentator to useful volunteer trail builder.

Sounds like it was the usual low rate.....

I live in Clitheroe and went up to Gisburn Forest bout 10 days ago. Its fantastic and just what this area needs. Congrats to all the trail builders and all involved.

I did the slab first time, which I was happy with but carried speed around the berm and got some serious (unintentional) air as I was riding it blind and didn't know what to expect. Haven't grinned that much for a while!!

In response to the slab angle debate, I reckon the angle is 'just about right'. Small enough to tempt us mere mortals but big enough to test those with more skill... whatever the numerical angle, just ride it 😉

Yep just ride it.
If I'd stopped to look yesterday I might not have ridden it!

Si, I was right behind you, that was the peer pressure that got me down without stopping to faff with the saddle. 😀

fizzer - Member

Nana - bit touchy?

Its about time we had some real way marking.

stumpyjon

Any chance of the gps file please?

nbt
Ah, ski mountaineering, that didn't occur to me.

The posts for the markers are in and have yellow arrows painted on them to show the right direction, very useful that was

Actually, that was me last week with a yellow crayon out of my puncture repair kit. I should point out now, that I've put all the arrows inside the cut slots on the posts, so when the proper plastic inserts go in, my arrows will be covered up. Unfortunately, I got half way round and realised not all the posts were in and one was facing the wrong way and on the wrong side of the trail (BTW the foresters know about it). So it all went to pot a little bit at one point. I also marked some of the old posts, which I knew were going in the bin. There are still another 60 posts to go in, I presume some of those will be no entry signs to stop people going the wrong way and stop walkers/horse riders.

I'm affraid it's going to be a few weeks yet before the signage is properly established. Like stumpyjon says, they also got messed around by someone.

Brainflex, Pudding, files sent, have fun.

thank looks ace and it's just up the road from me - happy days and well done to all involved!

Thanks Stumpyjon

stumpyjohn - any chance you can send it me too - yoshimi176 at hotmail dot co dot uk

cheers

buuger missed the dig day 😥

yoshimi

file sent.

taka

never mind there's another a week on Sunday, there's still plenty more digging to do 😉 .

Stumpy, many thanks for that pal

Danny, when you going ?

Can anyone who's ridden the new trails comment on how doable they are on a Singlespeed running very lightly treaded tyres at the moment? Should I wait until I've re built my full susser?

Used to ride the old red route on it all the time but I assume things are a little more hardcore.

It's all singlespeedable, I rode everything bar failing one steep climb / very tight corner. I'll have it next time though. One of the chaps with us was running kenda small block 8s which didn;'t seem to slow him down or cause him undue problems at all, although he did have gears

Thanks, I might give it a go on the SS if I get chance then.

Stumpyjon any chance you can email me the gpx file pls.

stuart_home AT hotmail DOT com

Thanks.

I was thinking about sunday morning if you fancy it? earlier the better for me

another one here please Stumpy Jon

sarah-keast at hotmail dot com

Thanks

Anyone who knows the route a bit going to be there over the next few days?

Off work and in Skipton for a few days so thinking of heading there thursday or friday if anyone wants hook up.

Will send out GPS files from home tonight. Supposed to be going up later on but it's chucking it down here (Clitheroe) at the moment. Going to be interresting in the mud at the bottom of the drops on the coaster 😯

Going to be interresting in the mud at the bottom of the drops on the coaster

Where's the best place to park, at the reservoir? Hoping to experience Gisburn this Saturday morning while down (not) visiting relatives in Ramsbottom.

Stumpyjon - if you are able to send me the GPS file aswell I'd be eternally grateful.

Cheers
Paul
pstokes99 AT hotmail DOT com

NBT......were you parked next to me on Sunday at Gisburn?
White van, Spesh FSR, I was with my mate and his girlfriend ( who took your missus off for a pee! 8O)who were both on Lappierres.

Yoda, that was me - nice to meet you 🙂

Stumpyjon - could you please send me the GPS file aswell to

mtb_eastleeds at btinternet dot com

thanks

could you send it to me too please 🙂 firestarter4075 AT ntlworld DOT com

Should have charged for this file, could've bought a new bike by now 😆 . Will send to everyone tonight.

Rob, IMO the best place to start from is Cocklett Hill carpark although you can also do it from the pub in Tosside.

Waves to yoda.
Girls always know where the best bushs are.

Going to be interresting in the mud at the bottom of the drops on the coaster

+2

Just got back, been there all afternoon. Fine drizzle most of the afternoon. Did the rollercoaster, went back round for another go, did it again, then just to push my luck went back round for another go. Absolutely nailed it til about 3/4 of the way down, then the mud sent me off line almost had it corrected then hit a stump just off the track, landed about 10 meters away from the bike! Still got up laughing manically knowing that I was pushing it a bit in the mud.

Bikes alright. Think my shin took the full impact, it now looks like I've got a calf muscle on the front of my leg!!

Going back up at the weekend when hopefully it'll be drier.

So moral of the story, if you're going in the wet, take it easy!!

So its just a case of follow the route as on the gps map further back in the post? Now its just the choice of ski tow tlc or Gisburn. I think I know which one will win.

Mmm was a bit hairy in the mud on the coaster section tonight, spoiled it a bit for me, I've been getting faster and higher going down there but tonight I couldn't let go of the brakes, Wimped the slab again as well 😳 but I did measure it with my iPhone carpenter app. And the result is:

about 40 degs for both slabs.

Jackson was that you we spoke to in the carpark this evening with blood running down your leg (I was the one with the fancy bike rack) or was that some other poor unlucky sod who crashed on the same section?

GPS files going out in the next 10 mins to all those who requested them.

No, don't think it was me. I was there this afternoon. Parked at the Pub/Cafe in Tosside.

Oh dear, sounds like someone else has come a cropper! Did have blood running down my leg though, and spoke to someone on the trails out with family who was trying not to look at my leg, but had a 'bloody hell that must've hurt' look on his face!

All patched up now and looking forward to next time, hopefully in the dry. As for the slab, just do it!! Its not as bad as it looks. 😆

That's still pretty bad, and it was windy and there was a 'W' in the weekday and and and........

I'll try and take my bigger balls next time. Trouble is each time I wimp it the harder it is next time.

Off tomorrow so this has been an intresting thread, how many ribble valley riders are on here?

how many ribble valley riders are on here?

Yep one here. I think its fantastic that we now have a facility that rivals (maybe not in length) some of the best trail centers in England, right on our door step. The cafe's top notch too!

Ribble Valley riders club, with Gisburn as our 'home ground' anyone? 😀

Hope to meet you all up there soon...

Altho not living in the Ribble Valley,(just outside),do most of my riding in the area.
Have rode Gisburn in its latest form five times now.

Me too live in Billington 😆

"Ribble Valley riders club, with Gisburn as our 'home ground' anyone?"

Count me in on that one

Sumpyjon, that was me 😕

I think it was old tyres and a lack of skill as much as anything but I'll be back. I missed that section when I rode it last week. I've used your map on both occasions so thanks for that, Chapeau to all the trail builders and contractors, Gisburn is up there with the best.

Any chance of the GPX file here?

(email address in profile)

Cheers,
Higs

Another one for the gpx files please - grum at sourpuss.info - ta

Went today rode over and was impressed, well done to one and all, the wood freaked me as it was lashing down and still have visions of flying off the north face at grizedale. I was impressed by the quality of the trail plenty of everything but did totally manage to mangle my calf on my flat pedals on the green route......do not ask. Personally liked it more than llandegla, much more intresting at Gisburn.

I'm hoping phase 2 will be more fast singletrack, but maybe less berm orientated to add a bit of difference. I got the impression from the foresters that Martins only little niggle with the phase 1 contractor build is a bit too much use of berms along every new section, so I'm hopeful that there will be a bit less banking up of every corner and a bit more just fast track to mix it up a bit.

What does everyone else think? Constructive critical suggestions are welcome and can be fed back to Martin when he's back off holiday.

BTW, the next contractor build phase might centre around cafe/toilets/car park (and hopefully a bolt-on skills area/loop), because that's the easiest to get funding for in the current economic climate (ie creating some employment).

Over the next 6-12 months it might just be volunteer digging that adds to the new route, but in the last few meet ups there haven't been very many of those. So, if you've been thinking about coming to a dig day, now is the time to commit and put it in your diary.

I emailed Nigel a few weeks ago and asked to be put on the mailing list for dig days - he said he would but I've never had anything through since. When is the next one?

The only detractor for me, and a few lads I rode with, were the rather unnecessary "speed bums" that were placed close together on flat singletrack. They were neither one thing or the other. Too far apart to jump them (they were on the flat anyway) and too small to pump them. They just seemed to break up the flow. I'm specifically thinking about the ones quite a way after the quarry and before you get to the slab.

Back there Sunday so will have another think.

Any chance I could have the gps route please?

email - twisteddotdalekatgooglemaildotcom

lowey, what time you going sunday?

More 'natural' singletrack with a sprinkling of rock features would be fantastic 🙂

Paul

Ribble Valley riders club, with Gisburn as our 'home ground' anyone?

I may not be eligible for membership, living half a mile from the "Welcome to Ribble Valley" sign (Grimsargh) but there's a fair chance you'll see me up there. Look out for grey Mundane-o Estate and either a Black Commie 5.5 UK or a Blue Rockhopper.

Slight hijack...Where else local are the Ribble Valley contingent riding of an evening?

Danny, not sure, trying to get an answer out of my riding mates is like getting blood from a stone, but I suspect it will be early to mid afternoon.

Please send me the GPS tracks stumpy, we are hoping to ride this on Sunday if you can help.....

Thanks in advance.

wrahome@hotmail.com

Stumpy Jon, any chance you can email over to nik _ _ uk at hotmail dot com?

SHall I stick up a copy on a website somewhere that can be downloaded?

Great idea - I have some webspace if you need it. Or you could use one of those free file-hosting thingies like megaupload

SHall I stick up a copy on a website somewhere that can be downloaded?

p.s. I don't mean to sound impatient but I could do with it by tomorrow morning!

linky http://files.getdropbox.com/u/196754/Gisburn%20New%20Route2.gpx