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Don't ride the PD much but it's still pretty depressing. As above, the weird bit is that I enjoy hillwalking too and I would deliberately avoid such a boring and ugly path as they've created.
MTB aside, the rocks were attractive to look at, and part of the natural landscape. That rubble looks like ****.
cant imagine them doing this in the alps, or even scotland come to think of it
Can't speak for the alps, but I usually manage 2 Highlands trips a year.... and sadly it is also happening up there.
That said, DCC seem to be working hard to firmly establish themselves as the least MTB-supportive council.
it also looks from the pics now that its potentially filthy and muddy
the beauty of that path was even in the wet it wasn't muddy or boggy, winter hasn't even struck yet and look at the bog/muddyness that's been created already!
just a huge huge gutting disappointment, I hope whomever made this decision (sitting on his perch in his ivory tower somewhere) endures a painful bonebreaking experience upon'st walking on this path!!!!!
time to Chinese burn myself in frustration 8)
MTB aside, the rocks were attractive to look at, and part of the natural landscape
Exactly. But they've done exactly the same trick in the White Peak by surfacing with road planings. Looks delightful in a limestone setting!! 😡
FFS. that is utterly horrendous...!
time to re-plan the jacob's ladder ride i was going on early next week.
Anyone got any more direct email / twitter contacts? getting no response from either DCC or eteprow@derbyshire.gov.uk
Munro, The road at the side of Geessons?
Is that silt running into a watercourse?
Just after there (after the next gatE) you used to be a lovely drop/jump you could pop off at speed into the next bit. When they destroyed that it put another nail in the coffin of the Kinder route for me. For me kicks now I'm focusing more and more on the footpaths in the area. Theres lots more to explore.
Don't judge the current surface, the workmen I met this morning specifically said that there would be some form of top dressing - what they may use is anyone's guess.
I ran up and down it because it was raining and it was very unstable, not loose like scree but absolutely lacking in any stable platform.
A suggestion just made - it's reached the small gate - we may be able to stop it going further if we keep up the noise levels - DCC, MPs, Parish Councils, everyone we can find, PDNPA - We really need a "No More! message to get through.
Ok if we are all up for this, one of our members (who can make themselves known if they wish) has suggested that we try and get a pause in the work being done at the gate in order that we can try and discuss what is happening and possibly save the rest of the route over to Chapel Gate.
If you want to do this then we all need to put pressure on DCC to pause and open a dialogue.
So, tweet them on @DerbyshireCC
Post on their FB wall - Derbyshire County Council
Email them on : robert.greatorex@derbyshire.gov.uk
and Peter.White@derbyshire.gov.uk
Phone them on 01629 533190
Keep up the noise, email the local media, if we have sufficient momentum then we may be able to do something. Over to you guys.
Why aren't local businesses up in arms? Some mtbers are tight arses but many travel and stay local and spend. We used to drive 3-4 hours to ride this loop and other local options! I live 20 mins away now and won't be bothering again.
I've commented (along with about 50 others) on DCC's FB page.
Just catching up with this. Very sad, but not surprising and only the latest (there will be more I'm sure) bit of trail destruction in the Peak and surrounding areas. To be honest I gave up on the area a long time ago and not just because I moved a short distance away. If this is a direct attempt by DCC and other local authorities to drive MTBers away then it's working. Trouble is they're now going to have an even bigger problem with people riding on FPs, and such is the militant attitude currently being fostered among many bikers that's not just going to happen on dry midweek summer evenings but all year round and on weekends too.
Would a mass ride over Kinder and down Williams Clough spark their attention I wonder?
Gutted to see that. A great bit of trail that was, rocky enough to be interesting and could be ridden at a nice speed. It's just vandalism.
@vickpy that's a good idea, will post something up too.
Just seen that they're spending £70K on it!
If it adds anything I found this online:
[url= http://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/227862/MP0912-Chapel-Gate.pdf ]Link to report on Chapel Gate[/url]
This may have something to do with it.
Just getting an automated reply on FB now also
Hi. Please email your comments to eteprow@derbyshire.gov.uk and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.
Anyone else done a foi request to DCC
I'm asking about total cost, consultation period, contractor etc.. There got 20 days!!
As a cautious rider it was a favourite trail of mine to clean. Now I think I'd find it more dangerous (even with an extra top surface).
It's a trail I've been riding for over 13 years and it never changed, meaning there was no water damage/erosion. The only damage is to the footpath alongside it higher up. This was used by a few mtbers and I'm guessing will be used a lot more now that the rupp has been ruined.
What a mess!
I love this bit from the Scrutiny report:
[i]"This would have the benefit of making this road less of a magnet for the off-road thrill seekers - inc the large groups that come from Europe, esp Belgium"[/i]
I'm guessing they've covered it in that loose shale. If you come off can you sue them as they have put an unsuitable surface on an official cycle way?
Clarkson is surely our friend on this one. He would be as pissed off as we are that the countryside has a smoother surface than our diabolical roads.
I would like to see the magazines a bit more involved. Phoned Singletrack years ago to see if they would do a feature. The guy I spoke to bleated on about access for wheel chairs etc.
Obviously a 3 page spread about a guy filing some bits off his pedals was more important.
My email comments are winging there way. Signed disgusted (inserted name here).
Here's your chance to show your support if you can make it.
Been speaking this afternoon to the amazing Dr Esther Hobson who came up with this brilliant idea:
[b]Rushup Edge Picnic Protest[/b]
Monday 27th October at 10am.
Meet at the Mam Nick carpark at 10am or on the actually stretch at 10.30.
We plan to ride down to the work and take a picnic, ride and generally walk about. We won't disrupt the work or make anything unsafe but we need a visual show of our disapproval.
If you want to sign up on the PDMTB FB page then just comment on the post, it's pinned. We are contacting the press and local media - if we can support Esther and get a crowd up there we can really raise the game.
zippykona: With truly ironic timing, there is a substantial feature in the next issue of the mag on Ride Sheffield and its success.
Get involved with PDMTB and help them to do the same.
Just glanced at the report. Have they really take. Usage statistics based on use from February to May?
Those stats would have proved this to be a far more popular route during the warmer months. A lot of mountain bikers avoid this trail in the wetter months due to the boggy condition of Rushup.
I am stunned at this 'sanitation'. You will never please everyone but this trail was already down to bedrock. Maybe a little maintenance on the sides was needed but this is unbelievable. A genuinely iconic natural trail, used by several groups of people filled in.
I would like to think most mountain bikers are considerate but, like anything, if you take away the available facilities, it will get to the point where early morning footpaths are the the only natural trails worth riding.
Was talking to the farmer who lives near that sanitised bridle way near The Little Mill descent and he said it is now more dangerous because cyclist are going faster. He also said the drainage was terrible and they refused his offer to do it.
Just got back from a great day riding the Long Mynd. Seems that there they like to convert footpaths to concessionals and bridleways and encourage riders to go there. In future I can see a lot more Long Mynd days out and not so many Peaks days out. Unfortunately, this is what the vested interests at DCC want, but there you go.
Just look at the state of it. Top dressing to come, oh brilliant, that'll look great as well, no doubt. No one who actually enjoys the Dark Peak as a piece of rugged countryside could possibly want that abomination. The question then remains, why? To my mind it is simply a campaign to force mountain bikers out. The Kinder Circuit is now a waste of time. Only Hollins, Coldwell Clough and the Jacobs Ladder descent remain as worthwhile riding sections. I suppose Middle Moor and Snake Path have some attraction as they bring you out above the Oaken Clough vandalism, but that's about it. Not worth the candle any more I'm afraid.
Goodbye Rushup Edge, you have gone to join your friends Stanage, Roych, Jagger's and Oaken Clough in fond memories, but nothing more. Where next? Potato Alley? Lockerbrook? Cut Gate? The Beast?
My three year old is showing a real interest in mountain biking. I was hoping to be able to take him up to the Peaks in about ten years and show him how much fun riding a bike off road can be. Now all I'll be able to do is show him YouTube videos and wax lyrical about this trail and that trail that still lurk beneath eighteen inches of shit.
**** the council that have done this.
I admire some of you guys who are still going to try, but honestly, the council have shown their utter disregard for you here, it is as plain as the nose on your face. All that time and effort and then this betrayal. As above, **** them. I'm going to be looking up some cheeky stuff for the future. DCC, if you push me off the legit trails you'll find me riding footpaths and unmarked stuff. Ultimately you will win, but I'll have a good time sticking my fingers up at you.
@singletrackjenn - that's great news about RS their work on the Eastern Moors is exemary. Sadly DCC seem less willing to enter into dialogue. What about getting behind PDMTB and helping preserve whatever we can from this campaign of destruction?
Put my 2 peneth on their Facebook page and will email the robots now.
Oscillate Wildly - Member
i was also going to add, it now looks way more accessible to vehicles, so no doubt the mx'ers will be hooning down it soontalk about destroying natural beauty, what an odd odd contry we live in,
cant imagine them doing this in the alps, or even scotland come to think of it
it was part of its characteristics those slabs/rock, great to look at, and has been like that for no doubt thousands of years, and now its basically a sandy path with a few randow baby head rocks strewn across it
well done council, i salute you
I'm sure many of us on here also occasionally go walking with the missus/kids etc and you can't beat a bit of natural terrain to hike up, i'd certainly avoid a walk with smoothed out sand all the way to the top 😯
So exactly who is this targeting? The missus also prefers natural trails on the horse, previous harder surface with steps is perfect for hacking up.
It's not just mountain bikers who are disgusted by this. Let's make sure we work with he other user groups to express our disquiet.
Indeed, Birthday Boy, it would be great to have allies standing with us.
Can we get local business owners involved as well - bike/outdoors shops, B&B owners, cafes?
And how about non-locals emailing to say that they are now unlikely to visit the area because of the damage done to some of the best-known trails?
(As an aside, I'm waiting for a major accident on the Long Causeway when someone hits a drainage gully at speed, especially given I've seen people about to go down it with no idea of what's ahead and a baby on the back of the bike...)
@ phunkmaster
"Was talking to the farmer who lives near that sanitised bridle way near The Little Mill descent and he said it is now more dangerous because cyclist are going faster. He also said the drainage was terrible and they refused his offer to do it."
Is this laneside road to briargrove road descent if you climb up the steps from Little Mill pub? Absolute skittery fine grit dressing, of warp factor 20 fame? Like cornering on butter now!
I reckon this black fine grit coating is what they'll finish Rushup edge off with. While there at the the little mill descent has too much natural bedrock so that will need doing too FML
I know they're only a Parish Council but can I suggest people write to the Edale Parish Council too. Ask them if they were aware of it and if they knew £70k was up for grabs and what they would have liked the money for in the Village.
edaleparishcouncil@gmail.com
I'm not suggesting we have a go or accuse the Parish. I'm suggesting that they, like us, knew nothing about the impending work, and will be equally as annoyed because they'll have plenty of things they genuinely [i]NEED[/i] £70k for, and they're reportedly not happy with the treatment of Chapel Gate either.
Janet Street Porter was moaning about it from a walkers point of view a couple of years back.
This thread needs to be made sticky and keep the ball rolling.
The "man" knows our weak spot and will apply the pressure.
I really fought Surrey Council about this but eventually gave up as I just ran out of people to moan at.
One thing I was going to do is laminate signs and tie them to lampposts at areas of road with lots of potholes. Basically saying why are the council smoothing out the countryside and not the roads.
Might be a plan for the area in question.
rogerthecat: can you drop me an email, please? jenn@singletrackworld.com
Janet Street Porter was moaning about it from a walkers point of view a couple of years back
You've just broken my hate-o-meter!
Frankly, who gives a shit what that muppet thinks?
Only just got chance to catch up on this.
£70,000! That's a lot of potholes. 🙁
I'm going to do my best to be there on Monday, will bring a camera.
Just read the CG report
Some gems, seems DCC are from another planet...
[i]"Comments:
All user groups would, in our opinion, find certain sections of the route difficult, PDNPA
staff have seen motorbikers and mountain bikers fall and risk injury and it is our opinion
that use for many groups whilst the route remains in its present state of repair, is not
only difficult, but dangerous.[/i]
"
[i]
"Comments:
Most of the route crosses a designated area, to avoid damaged sections of route users
are straying from the legal line, some erosion of the route has caused sub-base and
surface material to wash onto nearby protected land.[/i]
"
They don't like people straying from the legal line, they'll be a lot of this is they carry on! 😯
[i]"The highway damage is highly visible from some distance, and as users of all types
have tried to avoid the worst sections the width of the route has spread, exposed
bedrock is frequent and spoil from earlier repairs is still prevalent.
"[/i]
Bedrock is the devil incarnate!
[i]"Comments:
Parts of the route are steep (in exposed areas of bedrock several shallow drops occur),
and visibility in the upper reaches can be poor, this section is also narrow. "[/i]
Shallow drops in the peaks!!!!? Ban all shallow drops.
[i]
"3. Have there been any complaints about vehicular use conflicting with other
uses?
3 points - Yes many complaints from a variety of sources, "[/i]
They give a full danger/urgency score of "Total Score = 15 / 15"
[i]"Cost to repair :- £ 200k For a metal / tarmac surface (If approved) + £85k
Estimated annual maintenance cost. £20k"[/i]
£200,000 😯
[i]
"Demand from other Users
The route appears to be popular with mountain bikers (see table above)."[/i]
So why not cater for MTB's?
[i]"4. Saw 5 motorcycles, 30-35 cyclists, 15-20 walkers. (cyclist rally?) over 1 hour. Signs
of occasional horse use and rare agricultural/motor use. The erratic routing of the
various paths and their poor condition is likely to create safety problems from the
different speeds of the various users. There is a byway signs at either end, a footpath
signpost at junction with Mam Tor path but no guidance on vehicular use"[/i]
State speed is an issue, lets make it even faster!
[i]"4. Difficult to assess original cause but cyclists/motorcyclists will have played some
part in the erosion of the original track and continue to damage new ‘bypasses’. "[/i]
Cyclist damage really?
[i]"1. Temporary TRO until surfacing carried out, then possibly a one-way permit to reduce
use"[/i]
One way permit in the peaks!!! Is it April 1st?
[i]" shoring up banks
(safety issue) is needed for the existing users as bikers are frequently dismounting
and it isn’t very walker friendly either. "
[/i]
After reading that, I don't even!
To rogerthecat.
It's a pity the picnic protest was not last Monday as I was off work and would have driven the 70 miles to help register our displeasure. Unfortunately I definitely cannot make next Monday, but I really, really wish you all the best. Is there any lobbying of the local press that we can do to get them there?
One way permit in the peaks!!! Is it April 1st?
That track forms part of one of the longest unbroken stretches of RUPP (or BOAT?) in the UK (or at least it did until they closed Chapel Gate) but one of the measures they put in place years ago for 4x4s was a voluntary 1-way system.
4x4s coming up out of Roych towards Rushup were ripping the track to pieces in places so they made it one way to go down Roych and up to Mount Famine. So yes it's been done for 4x4s, no idea how it would work for bikes and what the point would be given that bikes cause less erosion than walkers...
Email sent to East Midlands Today. Hopefully they'll pick up a good opportunity to do a bit of 'right on' TV. You never know......
How long is the path out of interest?
About 1.5km?
How long is the path out of interest?
About 1.5km?
Have a look here.
The bit they've resurfaced is the western end from the main road. Not sure how far up they've got but I assume the plan is to go to where it meets Chapel Gate.