[Closed] Ullock Pike - video

"Just look at the speed and flow as they hit rocks, drops and switchbacks that they've never seen before, without breaking stride... and remember this is after riding 950 vertical metres of uphill first. Truly impressive mountain biking."

Isn't that what mountain biking is?

They made a much better job than our misguided attempt in the snow last December.

As usual the video doesn't do it justice at all. Was quite a way outside my comfort zone.

Agree on the questionable wisdom of promoting it with an editorial on a popular website.

Yep bit of a stupid boast will watch.the bid later but it is cheating if its not dark

...and cloud covered Michael 😉

Why are there two breaks in the video? Did they walk down a couple of bits? There's at least one mega-tech bit that isn't in that video.

looking forward to watching this later. did they miss out the scree slope rocky? and what about that bit which i rode the hardest line first time without looking at it and then you had about 10 minutes and ~5 attempts before getting yourself to the bottom via the easier one? 😉

Yeah, it starts after the scree and yeah, it looks like they walked down that bit you got lucky on.

haha whatever! i'll do it again next time we go up there - when is that by the way? want to do carlside too...

I bet that gets pulled when Chris see's the attention its getting with their company name on it. LDNPA will drop a bl*llock if they see it!

Fairly booked up, but once the weather turns I'll sort something out. I'm riding it in the week after Easter though, will post some rides up but will require time off work.

Does seem to miss out the crags:) normally not best form to shout about riding footpaths though

Very good. Very cheeky. Really not appropriate to advertise like that. Anyone pointed this out to them?

Agree on the questionable wisdom of promoting it with an editorial on a popular website

Agreed buzz-lightyear,che****ng,and anc,promoting riding on recognised footpaths does nothing for riding mountainbikes responsibly.. 😥

Awesome route tho.. 😐

I remember ccm motorcycles got fined quite heavily by the NPA for riding illegally,It was prooven in court by a photograph of the bikes against a recognisable rock feature used in a promotional artical.

and the last time I was up there a bloke with a beard had a word with us - [img] [/img]

"Never seen it before"?! My A*se! 🙂

Good skills tho!

Well that's a good way to piss people off and cause trouble for bikers.

and remember this is after riding 950 vertical metres of uphill first

There has been a very long tradition of riding all paths around the North Pakes for a great many years. I used to go out with the club from Keswick Mountain Bikes on an evening with Max in the lead and the rides that we went on were predominantly footpaths. I know at least one Local National Park ranger who regulaly rides on the footpath. The main thing is that they were hard-packed stony footpaths with few walkers on them, and they ride with respect for people, the environment and the local conditions. In the case of this video, Rich and Jon went out for a social and were, as always, very respectful to everyone they met, and recieved nothing but interest and complements (and a few - you "must be nuts!"). They also had to ride up an incredibly steep bridleway track to reach the summit (and yes, they did ride it all the way up, Junkyard!), so i'm not sure this video is going to bring people flocking to the summit in their footsteps. We put this up as entertainment and inspiration for people who love the idea of riding in big mountains, and maybe didn't realise it would upset people. We've now taken it off our youtube page and if it caused offence - i'm sorry - it was supposed to be entertainment and a chance to show off a really amazing area for mountain biking.

Chris@CycleActive

ps we were recently asked by LDNP if we or anyone we knew regularly mountain biked on a short section of footpath at the south end of the derwent valley. They wanted to know that it WAS used because they wanted to show a need for it to become bridleway as its a short section of "missing link" trail that connects to a very good and pupular route. This is just one example of why i personally reject any suggestion that riding on footpaths diminishes our rights or reputation, PROVIDED that people are riding responsibly and respectfully - this is what is essential, but this is my personal view and that, of course, is what forums are for!

😆 You bad bad men!!
Is that path the one through Great wood. We met a warden on there and she was pleased to see us 😯 We had a chat and she said the park was looking at getting the footpath upgraded to link into the rest of the Borrowdale Bash. The park believe's the road in is dangerous to bikers and as the route is very popular they'd like to remove that risk.

It will be, there was a thread on here about it ages ago I think, with a petition or a request to email the LDNPA.

I know from riding the Lakes, then moving to Manchester and riding the Peaks that footpath riding is viewed quite differently up there. It wasn't until I went to the Peaks that I realised that you weren't supposed to be on footpaths and that some people have a problem with it. I've never had anything other than encouragement and interest when in the Lakes, apart from on the low-land paths around Buttermere. I think that is mostly down to the terrain, Peaks Footpaths get made a mess of, Lakes they don't.

Even riding like a loon doesn't seem to be condemned in the Lakes, most people seem genuinely interested to see what you can ride, how fast you can go etc. A bit like the low flying jets flying below you, not exactly peaceful, but who doesn't love to watch?!?

I got a stern look when riding to the Summit of Mamtor a few weeks ago, I thought words would be forthcoming, so I was ready to point out that while it wasn't a bridleway, at least I was on the Footpath, rather than walking a few meters away from the hard rock path eroding the side of the hill. I don't know if this sort of stuff gets discussed on walking forums, but there are plenty of walkers that don't walk considerately, regardless of access rights.

The petition was for the Manesty footpath. But thats probably what Chris is on about thinking on. If Great Wood was made bridleway you could get offroad(legally) from keswick to Ashness bridge. Also it might stop cheeky b*ggers getting there via the back of Walla Crag...terrible 😳 ... and maybe not!!

Is that path the one through Great wood.

Too slow

If Great Wood was made bridleway you could get offroad(legally) from keswick to Ashness bridge.

They'd also have to change the status of the path across the front of Falcon Crag to connect to Ashness, which is quite technical (and lots of fun).

Too slow

😀

I have to say I always follow the “don’t ride on footpaths, it’s illegal!” discussions with great interest. There is often a perception that it is a criminal offence to ride on all footpaths. However, this is simply not borne out by the legislation. The Highways Act which is the primary legislation on the matter pertains to any footpath or causeway by the side of any road made or set aside for the use or accommodation of foot passengers. The key phrase there is by the side of any road. The last time I rode it, Ullock Pike was a long way from any road. You may have heard of fixed penalties being applied to folk riding on footpaths. Again, this only applies where there is a path adjacent to a road.

So this brings us to the civil courts. Tresspass is often cited as the big threat. However, for a successful case to be brought, the land owner would have to prove that they have suffered damage or loss as a consequence of your actions. Riding through a field of crops would have an obvious measure of damage. Riding on a path such as on Ullock Pike is much harder to prove as being damaging.

Let’s suppose the landowner decides to sue Chris’s guides and
they receives a summons. In response, Chris’s guides decide to make a reasonable offer to compensate the land owner for the damage to the paths. This could be a few pence or a few quid. If the landowner refuses, the onus is on them to prove why a larger sum is justified. There is an expectation that litigants in a civil case should make reasonable attempts to resolve civil matters before coming to court. If the landowner refuses the offer, this may count against them should the case reach court.

As for damage, it should be borne in mind that Chris’s guides can’t be held accountable for the actions of anyone else who takes their bikes down the path, even if they did post a video on the internet. The damage they are accountable is that which they alone caused and not anyone elses.

In a nutshell, everyone should chill out just a little bit and not get overly vexed by riding on footpaths in England and Wales. Slow down or stop for walkers, shoot the breeze with them and stop feeling like criminals. You’re not! Take the time to find out what the law is as opposed assuming the worst and that footpath riding = the end of civilisation as we know it. Carlton Reid has written some good stuff on access as have several others. Echoing Paul's experience in the Lakes, I've rarely had any bother from anyone either.

Chris

Top video. That has to rate as one of my favourite descents in the Lakes. It really is top drawer though I reckon I have some up here in Scotchland that would give it a real run for it’s money. I reckon though that the descent is even better if you head up on the Landy track to Dodds and nip onto the steep singletrack descent to finish. You’re a lucky man living down there.

Oh and Junkyard, the climb up the bridleway is 100% rideable on the way up. Not blowing my own trumpet here but I rode it with a few mates 18 months ago and there was no dabbing or pushing on my part. Nose of the saddle granny gear stuff (you gotta love a 20t inner - thank you, Mr Middleburn). The path rebuilding with the zig zags over the last few years has made it far more rideable than times past.

Cheers

Sanny

They'd also have to change the status of the path across the front of Falcon Crag to connect to Ashness, which is quite technical (and lots of fun).

Yep its great wee challenge that path 😉

Has the video been pulled?

Yeh Chris removed it.

goes to get map out for next week 😆
any grid refs anc? Ta

Sanny - so if I'm on a cheeky trail and someone claiming to represent the landowner asks me to desist what are my choices?

1) get off bike and walk on footpath.
2) carry on riding and hope they don't catch up
3) ask them to put a price on the damage I'm causing, pay that and carry on riding
4) get into a shouting match

?

goes to get map out for next week
any grid refs anc? Ta

From Skiddaw summit head SW off down the Allerdale Ramble to Carlside then take the path up to Longside and onto Ullock. Head down Ullock ridge and just before the bottom go left at a little col and come back on yourself into Dodd wood then take the sweet little singletrack down to the road. Big smiles all round. Only don't do it if its windy you'll get blown off!

Crank v Brooks is often cited as establishing that you are still a pedestrian if you push your bike. That case related to a cyclist pushing their bike and being hit by a car at the crossing.

If it is indeed the Landowner you meet, be polite and courteous. A slanging match is a waste of time. Unless you are interfering with the Landowner conducting their legal activities, there is very little they can do in law. They are entitled to use reasonable force to remove you. However, if you are riding a trail such as Ullock Pike and are stopped and physically restrained by the land owner, it is more likely that you would have a case to seek to have charges for assault or more likely breach.

Just use a bit of common sense and as before, aim to be polite and amenable. Most folk are and a smile can do wonders.

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Not sure why my last posting has Armstrong stuff on it. He gets everywhere, that man!

Like I said earlier, chill out and worry less when you ride footpaths. The law is a lot more on our side than the commonly held perception would lead you to believe.

...polite and amenable...

Agreed. Most walkers you meet on the tops here are genuinely interested in where you're heading, where you've been, and if you've got a screw loose.

"From Skiddaw summit head SW off down the Allerdale Ramble to Carlside."

Personally I would have added a disclaimer here. Something about scree, loose rocks, steepness and the drop to your left if you get it wrong. but that's just me 😉

From Skiddaw summit head SW off down the Allerdale Ramble to Carlside then take the path up to Longside and onto Ullock. Head down Ullock ridge and just before the bottom go left at a little col and come back on yourself into Dodd wood then take the sweet little singletrack down to the road. Big smiles all round.

really interested in this bit of singletrack as the only time i have ridden this ridge we got right down to Melbecks and back around via Skiddaw House...which was pretty boring.

It's a shame the video was pulled, I just think it should have been quietly posted on YouTube, not put up as a news item on a popular MTB site. I'm not that bothered about riding footpaths as long as Its done responsibly, I just think shouting about it is taking the piss a little.

I know it Peaches, we can then ride up through Dodd Wood and across to the top of Ullock again, before taking one of two routes down Carlside that I've been promised are the shizzle.

We were going to climb up onto Blencathra when we went round the bakc of Skiddaw, but I misjudged a) how tough going the ground is and b) how manly the group I was riding with were.

"From Skiddaw summit head SW off down the Allerdale Ramble to Carlside."

Personally I would have added a disclaimer here. Something about scree, loose rocks, steepness and the drop to your left if you get it wrong. but that's just me

Narr.. That would spoil the surprise.
I nearly rode over my mate when he decked it on the steep bit. He was starshaped on the line and I wasn't fancying taking the option to the right. He manged to roll out of the way just in time, v v close 😯 . He had quite a few holes in him after that tumble.

This was the crux for me, point and shoot.

The uncut version of the vid (with crashes) is still on youtube.

Isn't it just whining southerners on holiday that do not work, live or give anything back to the local community that complain about where MTBs ride in the Lakes? 😉

(stands back and awaits the barrage of abuse!)

duir - Member

Isn't it just whining southerners on holiday that do not work, live or give anything back to the local community that complain about where MTBs ride in the Lakes?

(stands back and awaits the barrage of abuse!)

+1 ahem,. 🙂

local here just go watch fight club the first rule is?