I think the new trails in Cragg are going to be a great addition to the network (but I would say that wouldn't I). Cragg and Lee have until recently always been "cheeky trails" with no right of access for cycles and only ridden by a few locals. Part of what we have been doing is securing better access for bikes. With this new access secured and way marked trails on the ground we will be able in a year or so's time (once all the links and various other bits and peices are finished) be able to put together some pretty good Rossendale mountain bike rides leaflets/maps.

This will enable us to market the area to people other than just locals who know and use cheeky trails. The hope is this will help with the regeneration of Rawtenstall and Bacup whilst at the same time improve what is available for mountain bikers in Lancashire.

You need to take a step back and consider where we are now compared to three years ago with mountain biking in Lancashire. We now have new trails at Gisburn, Healey Nab, Lee Quarry, Cragg Quarry a new section of Pennine Bridleway and there are plans working their way through the system for several other sites to be developed and bridleway links between them all. In addition to this we have the Brownbacks xc races, Singletrack Weekender, mountain bike trials competitions, mountain bike rangers, numerous schools and youth groups out on mountain bikes and the likes of Great Rock delivering skills training. Quite a step up in activity over a relativly short period of time.

I'm hoping to add a trail building group for Rossendale to the list of activities soon I'm just working through insurance and liability issues at the moment.

Keep giving us the feedback as it will help us develop the trails, I'm sorry if anyone has lost any bits of trail you liked that is certainly not our intention hopefully some of the new bits can become new favorites?

I find mine to be excellent on the climbs I can manage stuff on it which has me off pushing on my VT, front end stays down very well even on very steep stuff. I have the 2010 model with the 120 to 150mm u-turn revs on it. Seems like an ideal set up to me. Its lots of fun when pointing downwards as well!

I have one and it's excellent, climbs really well (especially if you have the u turn revs)and goes down hill really well. Just feels right if you know what I mean. I have been ridding a full sus for a few years now and just returned to a hardtail so was a bit worried I might struggle but the alpitude is great. I got mine mostly for trail inspection work at Lee Quarry and it copes with all the up and down rockyness there really well. Only had it for a few weeks so not tried it on a really long xc ride yet but I think it will be great for the hike a bike type lakes rides I like.

I think it climbs just as well as my Giant VT its really easy to keep the front wheel planted.

Only downside would be weight, but it does inspire confidence and I could lose a stone off my gut if I was that bothered about weight.

Over all I'm very pleased with mine. Good write up in wideopen mag (which you can get online)

do a search for Tarty Bikes and Ali C to see a video someone riding it and making it look effortless

Keeping the mxers off we started tackeling that on Sunday.

Olie I'm aware of it and there isn't really a conflict. Facit recycling plan is a few years off happening if ever. even if it does go ahead there shouldn't be a conflict might even be a way of funding more trails!

Some of the motor bikes can use the quarry run by cowmn leisure it is legal but is not able to cater for all types of motor bike. The moors and quarries managed by us are out of bounds to motorbikes except for organised events.

It would be better to be able to offer some additional provision for the motorbikes as well as just clamping down but its really difficult to provide sites for them.

Cragg quarry is to the west and there is some trail building going on there. But it is not ready to ride so please keep off for a while.

Plan is to link Lee and Cragg with a route over the moors this autumn.

To the east of Lee is Facit Quarry and we are hoping to build there as well towards the autumn.

Come and have a look at Lee Quarry 😀

1st vid there is Ricky 2nd is Ali both top class riders.

Just think how good a weekend camping in the quarry for the Singletrack weekender will be! Go on you know you want to enter! Just pop along to the Singletrack shop for details.

It was good to see so many people in the quarry enjoying themselves, makes all the pushing bits of paper round to make the thing happen seem worthwhile.

Did you see Ali C on the pumptrack? Amazing it was worth being up there just to watch him ride.

Also met Ricky Crompton (dirt jumper) there today, nice guy he was convincing me that dirt jumps would be a good addition to the site! Then we could host dirt jump competitions. Could be time for another funding application.

Sunday Leisure Lakes are having a demo day up there so it might be quite busy in a nice sort of way. I'll be up there most of the day, white LCC Countryside Service Van or grey Genesis Alpitude. Come and say hi and I'll show/explain the new stuff to you if you want.

Tony

we have just made a map I'll see if it is in a format I can post on the forum tomorrow.

They probably need to give up the mx bikes and get a mountain bike, then we would welcome them with open arms!

Motor bikes are not allowed in the quarry except as part of an organised event. If you see them there please inform the Police and get a log number. If you can get a photo and or number plate please pass it on to me or the police. Ask them to leave if you are able/confident enough to do so.

They can use cowm leisure just over the hill, its not free and has rules but if they don't use it that too will eventually go it needs supporting to survive.

lay out is such that you can keep riding 4 of the new sections (berm line, pump line, black line and Leons jumpy line with out losing too much hight, the climb is still a little tough though it is steep and a little tricky in places especially on your 4th or 5th time.

There is a new pumptrack to play on as well now, lots of fun but requires quite a lot of effort.

The slab, Neil Hodgson (world superbike) was in the quarry yesterday I lent him my bike and helmet so he could have a go and he went off down the slab without a second thought several times for photo's.

It's fine to ride now material in the quarry is really good and seems to have packed down really well.

slab is steep but fine to ride, it is optional so if you have any doubts about it just go round it.

Please wear a helmet though can't believe the number of people I have seen in the quarry the past few days with no helmets. The place is littered with rocks just waiting to conect with your head if you fall off. Think of those of us who have to come and pick you up afterwards! And those who may end up spoonfeeding you if you can't be bothered to wear a helmet.

Tree roots will feature heavily when we start trail construction at Facit Quarry (assuming we get planning permission) just a short pedal away from Lee Quarry. The plan is to start building there August/September if we can get everything in place, we have the funding so the main barrier has been overcome!

At the moment if you want some good rooty tree action try Healey Nab one of our other sites over towards Rivington. There is some good stuff in there already and more under construction at the moment. Its a small site and is best worked in to a longer ride around Rivi.

Cragg Quarry will be ready in a few weeks too!

Loads of people have accidently riden the new trails over the past couple of days (probably over 100 on sunday alone).But they are holding up really well and we have been lucky with the weather, the material up there is really good and is packing down nicley so its not really a problem.

I have got the contractors to make lots of piles of surfacing materials around the quarry so looking after the trails will be a bit easier. Hoping to get a volunteer group up and running soon. Just waiting in getting a date from Rowan and his crew for a training day.

Conditions are good things are drying out really well, tomorrow should be the last day with machines up there. It might take a couple of weeks for everything to dry out but on the whole it is looking good. The new trails are really good, big flowing berms that will put a smile on all but the grumpiest of people.

Signage is a bit behind schedule so I'll be putting some tempory stuff up over the next few days. Constructive feedback would be welcome!

New layout takes a little while to get your head around but it works really well, some good challenging climbs (none of which are too long) and some cracking swoopy downhill bits perfect for sessioning and learning new skills on. Its not a get your head down and cover the miles sort of place more one where you will easily spend half a day reriding sections until you get them right. Pump track is ready for use now and is working really well, beded in nicley already.

edst
Yes there will be trying to get a date sorted out for a training day etc some time in April/May. Hopefully an opportunity to ride through all the new stuff with Rowan and Ed etc and learn a bit about what has been built and why it is as it is and the best way of looking after it! This will include the new trails up in cragg as well. I'm hoping to link up with Healey Nab and Gisburn trail builders and Singletraction then we will be a force to be reckoned with!

I shall post some info on here closer to the time its also worth keeping an eye on Ed's blog or on his great rock web site.

They have just confirmed the dates with me (I look after the quarry)so I would have thought they will be up on their web site pretty soon. First one is likley to be May.

Lots of new lines will be available in the quarry by then so there should be some good variations on last years routes.

If you are in the quarry over the next few weeks please keep off the new sections they are not ready to ride yet. Yes that means all of you! Seriusly it means loads more work if people ride them before they are finished properly. If you do see any one on them please tell them to get the f*$k off! Pump track has already started to take a hammering and its still got snow on it.

Had mine done on NHS, local anesthetic was fine had to ask for a bit more mid opp though. Just stay off the bike for a couple of weeks afterwards I made the mistake of thinking just cycling to work would be ok! It was not!

We are working on a link funding is in place just a bit more negotiation with landowners over exact route, then planning permissions etc. Putting it out to tender etc, hoping to start building it around September this year if all goes to plan ready to ride November.

In the meantime only legal route is down Rooleymoor rd past the scrap metal yard and on the road for a bit.

I have heard some people just cut across the moors Cheeky! and muddy in places.

Elaine

A new "drop line" has been built at lee quarry to help people develop this skill (I hope it helps me anyway cause I struggle with drop offs too). New line is basically a series of nothing but drop offs of various different sizes so you can start off small and build up to the larger ones. Good clear run ups and landing areas so nothing to worry about apart from the drop offs. Should be ready to ride early April. New pump track and pump line are taking shape nicely as well these should help with getting body position sorted out. Ed (Great Rock) will be running skills sessions on all this new stuff it would be worth getting on one of his training days.

Yes worth doing, if you are in the north west try cyclewise or great rock

Another vote for Islabike my 5yr old has had a conc 16 for a couple of years now, its been really good. Time for the next size up soon though.

That sculpture in the last photo is for the trials riders to ride on by the way.

existing red and black are fine to ride, skills area is out of commission for a couple of weeks while it is revamped (it is going to be great!)

Don't know where the charging for car parking has come from we have no plans for that.

Keep an eye out for Ed's blog which will be starting soon for uptodate info on conditions and how the new build is going.

If you do go riding up there please KEEP OFF the new stuff it is not ready to be riden and doing so will just make more work and potentially stuff it up. If you see anyone riding the new stuff please ask them not to. It won't be much fun at the moment anyway.

Also if you are up there in the week please be extra careful when near the machines, if there is signage and tape up please take notice of it it is meant for you not someone else! Getting cliped by a bucket would not be good for anyone!

Same weekend as the Singletrack Weekender which will be even more fun!

Single track weekender!

Perhaps we could do a camping only ticket? (it does cost to provide water, toilets etc so there would need to be a small charge)

There is lots of riding in the area, camping in the quarry so no neighbours close to disturb and if you didn't want to enter the races you could cheer on/laugh at those that do.

Its all ridable at the moment a few rocks here and there have rolled on to the track and still a little ice so keep your eyes open. I'm planning on spending tomorrow up there sorting out a few bits of drainage and removing some of the rocks. Over all its in pretty good condition considering the amount of ice which was on it.

I'm wanting to get the signage sorted out trying to find a balance between easy to follow but not too rigid or in your face.Where currently has the best signage do you reckon?

Dark side of the moon by Flaming Lips

Shouldn't work but it does!

Taka what did he do and where, I'm trying to keep track of acidents up there so I can decide if anything needs changing. As soon as the snow goes we shall be building quite alot more stuff up there, good opportunity to tweak what is already there while we have machinery on site.

Yep, not a problem just need light camping gear bivi bag would be fine for one or two nights depending on weather but tent better for a proper nights sleep. I pack most of my gear into a camelback HAWG and strap bulky but light stuff like sleeping bag on to a rack. Some good advice on kit etc on the Polaris web site also on Planet Fears site.

Put a short list together and get them to enter the Singletrack Weekender the only way to know for sure!

If you are out for the day go and have a look around Cragg Quarry, its going to the the next place we build some trails in. Lots of stuff to ride there already, a bit remote though so best to go with a couple of other riders.

And its soon to improved! New trails going in this winter.

I will do, probably do a press release next week re the funding etc and ask for feedback etc as part of that.