New mountain biking guide for The Peak District and Derbyshire.

[The Cyclist]

Hi all

Jjust published - a new (updated) guide out for mountain biking
routes in The Peak District and Derbyshire.

"Quality Routes in The Peak District and Derbyshire" by Mike Pearce.

This is available from cycle shops and also online, post free from the
publishers at www.ernest-press.co.uk

or from Amazon at:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0948153741/ref=sr_aps_books_1_1/202-5096025-6205420

Price £8.50

I think this is a really good guide and deserves to become a
best-seller - but then I wrote it so I would wouldn't I ?!

Thanks

Mike

 

[Howard]

Ah yes,

The Peak District. The only place in the UK (other then Dartmoor)
where the local National Park Authority have seen fit to make it a
criminal offence, carrying a fine of up to £500, for anyone cycling on
a path other then a 'green lane' or bridleway... This covers all
'access' land in the Peak District.

I tried to find out more about the whys and wherefores of this bye-law
and was consistently fobbed off and lied to by the Peak Park
Authority. Sean Prendergast (the PPA chief warden) told me no new bye
laws had been introduced in the 12 years he had been in office. Balls,
it was only introduced a few years ago and I have press cuttings in
which the PPA warden service state how they intend to use the new
bye-laws. I was then told that the bye law was brought in to 'control
erosion' and that it also affected horses. Balls, only cyclists were
singled out and by far the biggest cause of erosion in the Peak is
walkers! I was then told the PPA brought in this bye law under
pressure from landowners. However when pressed there seems to be no
documents available to show who requested it (probably because it was
the work of the anti-cycling element of the PPA). I asked about the
wording of this bye law and where it was in force and was helpfully
told by the PPA to 'go and look for the signs.' The only user group
who got nothing from the Stanage forum were off-road cyclists,
supposedly because seeing a cyclist spoils the 'wilderness experience'
of red socked rambler types who have driven in to the heart of the
Peak District and parked up at the foot of their favourite bit of
'wilderness' before wandering off along with all the climbers,
paracenders and so on who have open access.

I am glad there are a few route where the powers that be condescend to
allow off-road cycling (or rather can't ban it because it uses
cycle-legal ROW's), even if there are HUGE areas in the Peak district
without a single cycle route see
http://www.thebikezone.org.uk/thebikezone/campaigning/offroad/peak.html
I also hope your book sells well. However I don't think the Peak
District is at all 'cycle friendly'. Many would like to see cyclists
banned altogether and the whole area kept as a reserve for the
provisional RA. I understand that the PPA even objected to cyclists
having access to the popular High Peak and Tissington Trails!

 

[Howard]

P.s.

One thing to note is that The National Trust, which owns a lot of land
in the Peak District, did not sign up to the Peak park Authorities
scheme to criminalise cycling on access land. On all NT land in the UK
byelaws already exist prohibiting cycling away from roads and
bridleways. However, the fine is only £20 and it is a non-criminal
offence. These byelaws are also quite old and the NT is now much more
geared towards leisure management and permitting responsible usage of
the land they hold.

 

[The Cyclist]

Interesting response.

In all the years I've been cycling for fun and for leisure in The
Peak District and Derbyshire I have never had a probelm with the Peak
Park Authority or their wardens.

The few times I have met a warden on the hill they have been very
helpful as they wish to encourage sensible use of the Park for all.
When I've contacted them for information or to report blocked access
to legal routes (a rare occurance) they have always been helpful and
interested.

In addition to that I've never yet met an unfriendly farmer either.
Some unciommunicative ones for sure, but most have been interested in
what I was doing and helful with information that would help make the
rides better and to avoid any damage to thier land or animals.

I always approach wardens and land owners carefully and in a friendly
way and have received a positive response - even from large quarry
companies!

Thanks for your comments about the book - it continues to sell well
which is very satisfying.

Mike