Houndkirk Road has been a bone of contention for some time and it’s great to be able to report some good news at last. Ride Sheffield recently received the specification for work on the old byway for the next couple of years and it’s clear that a more minimalist approach is being planned.
Following stirling work by Steve Hardcastle and others, the redesignation of a popular bridleway to a footpath at Fox Hagg in the Rivelin Valley has been prevented.
Signs informing horse riders that it may not be suitable for inexperienced riders are to be installed.
The Blackamoor bridleway that runs down from the Stoney Ridge car park parallel with the Hathersage Road has been the subject of a winter closure for horses and cycles for the last two years. Although the winter ban was a vital experiment, in many ways it has proved to be a blunt instrument that has at times verged on illogical. For example, during March when the trail was bone dry, we were prevented from riding on it. Now, with the April showers in full swing, we are able to ride it again even though it’s a bog. Having monitored the situation, the Sheffield Wildlife Trust and the Sheffield Rights of Way Team have noticed the inconsistency and decided to trial all year round use as from next winter. (more…)
Hold the front page! Meeting both interesting and informative shock!!
Sorry, couldn’t resist, because it’s not often I can say that about a meeting discussing access and conservation. However, having been involved in the consultation process for the Eastern Moors from the start, I can only say it has been a pleasure throughout. The new management team’s inclusive attitude has been refreshing and mountain biking has been accorded equal treatment with all the other user groups. The National Trust/RSPB set out with the intention of creating an examplary model of how conservation and access could coexist and I just hope other conservation bodies take note because so far, the results exceed expectations. (more…)
Mountain bikers have a problem, an image problem. While we see ourselves as a bunch of fun-loving free spirits, much of the rest of the outdoor community see us as gung-ho idiots who aren’t happy unless we’re mowing down senior citizens. Now, some of you might not give a rat’s arse about having an image problem, but it’s fair to say that coming across as Attila the Hun on two wheels means that in the future we’ll have less trails to ride, not more. Confused? I’ll explain. (more…)