Ride Sheffield

Blog

  • Riding in the Wild

    One of our favourite local land managers has recently contacted us about trail building in a very sensitive area on a local nature reserve. Ride Sheffield understands that there is a serious urge to increase the number of trails in the Peak District but we ask everyone to think very carefully before they start creating a new run.

    Are people aware of the different conservation designations ? Does everyone realise how crucial our nature reserves and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) are? There are places locally that are even more important than SSSI’s, such as Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas. Could we do more to alert people to the importance of these conservation areas? Ride Sheffield is all about mountain biking, it’s in our DNA but we also love the places we ride.

    Be Nice, say Ey Oop….

    Nature is under threat and one of the joys of being in the great outdoors is engaging with the natural world. Lots of places within the Peak District and Sheffield City region are important habitats. Many are being carefully managed in order to encourage threatened species to thrive. Even outside those areas that have a conservation designation, we still need to be careful because habitats are constantly under threat from urbanisation and overuse. If we’re riding on existing trails, our impact on wildlife is minimal, in fact, much less than some other user groups.

    Have fun, save the fungi!

    However, if we stray into those areas that are being managed in a very specific way, we can have a negative effect. Over the years, Ride Sheffield has built a great relationship with numerous local land managers who take a very positive view of mountain biking. They’ve grown to respect the mountain bike community and dealt with contentious issues like Sheepskulls in an even-handed way. With the help of our supporters, we’ve maintained trails allowing the land managers to concentrate on the important stuff, nature conservation.

    We dig digging….

    So it’s important, and generally a given, that mountain bikers understand the importance of nature conservation. We know that the vast majority of mountain bikers care about where they ride and we’d urge them to chat whenever possible to fellow riders and spread the word. We’re lucky to live in such a wonderful place and it needs looking after.

    If you want to know more, the following two links are a good place to start – 

    Respect the Outdoors

    https://www.visit-eastern-moors.org.uk/protect/

  • Lyme Disease – Take Care of Yourself

    At a recent Sheffield Moors Partnership meeting, local land managers stressed that Lyme Disease season is just around the corner and asked Ride Sheffield to get the word out. Lyme Disease is a serious condition that can have life-changing consequences. It is transmitted to humans by ticks that reside in the very undergrowth that we ride through. However, take some precautions and you can reduce the risk dramatically

    During spring and summer, particularly when bracken is at its height, ticks can attach themselves to a passing mountain biker. Obviously, we tend to be bare legged during the heat of summer, but wearing something on your legs can help prevent the ticks latching on.

    These are the ways you can protect yourselves:

    1. Use a tick repellant on your legs.
    2. When you’re riding singletrack where the undergrowth is encroaching, stop regularly and check for ticks.
    3. Carry a tick removal tool. This ensures that nothing is left in the skin which could spread the infection.
    4. Check yourself all over for ticks and wash clothes which will kill them. If you spot the ‘bullseye’ pattern or suffer flu-like symptoms, see your GP.

    The picture shows the classic bullseye pattern that can result from a lyme carrying tick having attached itself to you.

    For more information visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/lyme-disease/

  • Cut Gate progress

    Cut Gate progress

    With 2021 off to a less than great start, it was refreshing to get some positive news from Moors for the Future – with a progress report on the Cut Gate and North America bridleway works. Read on for an update!

    North America

    On the North America bridleway, there were sections where the material on site had been even worse than feared, leaving some sections needing further work. Top dressing material has been dropped at site to be used on these wetter sections. The path work here will continue until mid March.



    Cut Gate

    On the main Cut Gate bridleway itself, the majority of work so far has been water management – but the main flagged sections over the worst boggy sections are now in and looking great!

    Work on the top section of Cut Gate will continue until roughly the middle of February, before top dressing work (similar story to North America) on the National Trust stretch of the track nearer Slippery Stones.

    It’s great to see work progressing so well, especially given the recent weather conditions. This has been a long time coming, from way back in 2017 when we teamed up with Keeper of the Peak and Peak District MTB to raise our concerns at the Peak District Local Access forum. It’s been a truly collaborative effort!

    Depending on Covid restrictions, we’re hoping for a site visit with Moors for the Future in March – watch this space for more news and photos!

  • Redmires Boost

    Redmires Boost

    Who doesn’t love a silver lining? Well, 2020 has taught us to appreciate what we have and we think we’ve found one hidden within the Redmires postponement news. Take a closer look and you’ll see why we think Ride Sheffield is now in a good position to make great stuff happen.

    1. Reputation

    We’re pretty sure that the National Park now knows Ride Sheffield is a diligent and responsible group to work with who understand the conservation value of every part of the Peak District, even a coniferous plantation. We may have questioned some of the objections they raised but we completely understand the importance of endangered species like the nightjar and always have done.

    OS map of Redmires
    Redmires – it could still happen….

    2. Building Relations

    We’ve continued our excellent relationship with local conservation groups like Sheffield Bird Study Group. It’s crucial that user groups like us engage with conservationists and land managers – there is always much to learn. The increasing pressure on the Redmires honeypot has certainly had an effect on the resident wildlife. Maybe other user groups should be examining their impact?

    3. The Outdoor City

    Battling through the vagaries of a planning application in concert with Sheffield City Council has cemented an even closer relationship with the           Outdoor City. It was a tough three years for both for us, a volunteer group and a city that believes in the value of the great outdoors. Working together pulls you closer and we have every confidence that, in the future, this will deliver results.

    The Outdoor City

    4. Greno Woods Facelift

    Our corporate sponsors have stood by us throughout. Much of the funds raised for Redmires will now go to work on the Greno Woods trails which have been incredibly popular during Covid and are showing considerable signs of wear and tear.

    Greno work could start soon….

    5. New Energies

    Lastly and, frankly, bizarrely, postponing Redmires has unleashed a tsunami of stored energy. Redmires was all-consuming for three years and in many ways prevented Ride Sheffield from pushing on. The last couple of months by comparison have seen a very successful raffle, a superb application for grant funding to the Santa Cruz Paydirt project and numerous suitably anti-socially distanced trail days. 

    There’s more to come so watch this space! We’re going into 2021 with optimism and believe every cloud has a silver lining….

    Vulcan Engineering, our biggest sponsor, has been incredibly generous allowing us to keep £7,500 of the original donation. The remaining £15,000 is to be used to build a sand dam in Africa that will ensure that a huge number of people have a ready supply of water. It really is an amazing scheme that benefits those who regularly have to walk kilometres to find water. If you’d like to help out with the scheme, details are HERE.

  • 2021 Lockdown advice

    2021 Lockdown advice

    LOCKDOWN 3 UPDATE – Ride Sheffield aren’t by any means the police or rule makers, but below is our interpretation of the guidelines around the current England lockdown rules.

    The official documentation can be found here.

    British Cycling have also published an FAQ, which can be found here.

    While we should stay at home wherever possible, we are allowed to exercise outside with members of our own household, those we’ve formed a support bubble with, or one other person from another household.

    Exercise is limited to once a day and you should remain within your local area.

    Ride well within your limits, but do get out there – riding is SO good for your mental and physical health!

    As before, we’re using the format of some common questions, our interpretation and some additional guidance

    Can I ride with friends outside of my household?

    2021 Lockdown interpretation: The guidelines state you can ride with members of your household or support bubble, or one other person.

    Ride Sheffield guidance: When on Bridleways try to be aware of other trail users who perhaps are not as comfortable mixing outside of their household. Do the right thing if the trail is tight, stand aside and ‘be nice say hi’ to walkers or horse riders.

    Where can I ride?

    2021 Lockdown interpretation: You should not travel out of your local area to exercise. The Government’s definition of this is stated as ‘your village, town or the part of a city where you live’.

    This isn’t particularly clear, but British Cycling are looking to get some clarification on this with Sport England.

    Ride Sheffield guidance: Ride from home! “Your local area” is open to a wide variety of interpretations, but now’s not really the time to be pushing the boundaries! Stick to an easily achievable route from home.

    If you’re within easy riding distance of Greno, Parkwood or Cannings, then by all means include these as part of a ride.

    Can I ride over the border into Derbyshire?

    2021 lockdown interpretation: We should all be riding within our local area.

    Ride Sheffield guidance:  For many of us in Sheffield, we live close to the border and a ride may include trails that cross into Derbyshire. Now isn’t the time to be loading up the car and heading to the Hope Valley for a Peak District loop.

    Can I go to the cafe after my ride?

    2021 Lockdown interpretation: Cafes are only offering take away service

    Ride Sheffield guidance: Bear in mind that those cafes that do open may be busy – be prepared to mask up, queue and show understanding around others. Maybe pack some good trail snacks and have a socially distanced stop and chat in the wilderness.

     We understand everyone’s interpretations can be slightly different but under our ‘be nice say hi’ mantra, now doesn’t seem the time to push the boundaries. The more we all play the game and stick to the rules, the sooner we can be planning trips out of area, and who knows maybe even abroad – that’s our 2021 goals right there!

  • Trail Crews and Trail days

    Trail Crews and Trail days

    In Sheffield we are pretty lucky to have a wide selection of trails, from the rights of way network that criss-crosses the city and the Peak District, built trails like Lady Cannings, Greno and Parkwood, a myriad of hand-crafted trails in Wharncliffe and of course BMX tracks such as Bolehills. While it has been (and always will be) an aspiration to provide more trails for mountain bikers to ride by changing designations on rights of way and creating more built trails, a key part of what we have to do is to look after what we have already.

    One of the many things this year has shown us is that mountain biking is getting more and more popular. That, coupled with a couple of the wettest winters on record has really taken its toll on the trails.

    Trail days are not a new thing for us. We have been getting out and working on the trails for pretty much as long as Ride Sheffield has existed, and we are grateful to all those people who have come and helped out. This year started off well with a huge effort to repair the flood damage on Devil’s Elbow with over 30 people helping out. But then covid put paid to any trail work for a long time and has then restricted us to trail crews of no more than 6 people. But taking an optimistic and ambitious look at 2021 and beyond, we want to do more with the trails and we want to do things a bit differently

    Trail Crews

    At the start of 2021, we are going to start recruiting for trail crew members. It is our ambition to have multiple trail crews, likely starting with 2 and growing if the volunteer numbers are there. One that will be based in the north of the city and will focus on trails such as Greno, Wharncliffe, Parkwood, Cut Gate for example and one in the south that will focus on Blacka, Cannings, Eastern Moors, Rivelin and anything in between. Crews would also be able to work together on larger projects too. Once the crews were trained, they would be able to work independently as well as supporting larger trail days too

    We will provide the crew members with PPE, First Aid training, relevant trail checker skills, risk assessing and training in correct and safe techniques for trail work. We will also provide suitable clothing to identify you out on the trails. What we then expect from each member is attendance at a number of trail days a year.

    It is also our hope that we will be able to have tool stores that can be accessed by those on the trail crews, with one in the north and the south.

    The size and extend of the trail crews is dependent on funding, it will be part funded by Rad Tax, but if we secure additional funding it will allow us to be more ambitious with the roll out of the crews.

    We will post more information on how to apply to become a member of the trail crew in the new year, but if you would like more info or to register your interest please email us at info@ridesheffield.org.uk

    Trail Days

    We are hoping to be able to start doing bigger trail days again in the new year. Currently we have a small midweek crew heading out to keep on top of things, but we will continue to review the situation and will keep you posted subject to Tier levels and other restrictions. Additionally, if you do see areas that you feel could do with trail work doing to them, please let us know and we will add it to our list or pass it on to the rights of way team. Please get in touch at info@ridesheffield.org.uk

    Ride Sheffield’s strength has always been the awesome riding community we have in the city and we look forward to more or you joining us and making riding better for everyone in 2021 and beyond.

    All photos in this article with thanks to Salt St.

  • Ambassador Series

    Ambassador Series

    As part of this years’ Anti-social Social we introduce our Ambassador Series, designed for you to get to know more about the people who help to make the magic happen at Ride Sheffield.
    We asked our Ambassadors five topical questions and here are their answers….

    Pat Horscroft

    Q.1. Which MTB trail got you through lockdown?  
    Anything as soon as I left the house – such a release to hear the birdsong and watch the natural year evolve. We are so blessed with the Peak District on our doorstep.

    Q.2.  How did MTBing become part of your life?
    I originally believed mountain biking was riding over tussocky fields in Nottingham!  However, Sheffield showed me the error of my ways, at age 60. It was hard work getting the simple things right: body position, cone of movement, weight transfer, efficient gearing, cornering, braking, looking ahead, uphill and downhill skills, so many things to get just right. Skiing, climbing, judo and yoga gave me a considerable advantage, with balance, spatial awareness, body position and, of course, falling off! But, it all takes time and is soooo worthwhile when it starts to come together.
    Now 77, definitely much fitter and although uphill is a drag I really love the downhill as Peaty’s Steel City downhill race will bear testimony. 

    Q.3.  Where are you dreaming of riding in 2021?
    Bike Park Wales to regain my downhill mojo, Glenn Tress for the craic, the Alps for the adrenalin rush and Sauze d’Oulx for pure nostalgia.

    Q4.  Have you ridden more or less this year?
    Loads more – I’ve managed to get out at least every other day (sorry, but I am retired)
    So my fitness has improved massively as it’s always 7kms uphill from home!  I did 170kms in November.

    Q.5.  What would you like to see MTBing become in the next few years? How should it evolve?
    Greater understanding between different user groups and an acceptance that we all have a right to enjoy the great outdoors. An awareness  from conservation bodies that mountain bikers have very little affect on the natural world and that National Parks, for example, were created for the enjoyment of everyone. A similar right to roam for all users as applies in Scotland would be wonderful.

    Next Ambassador

    Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

  • Hips don’t lie

    Hips don’t lie

    As part of our week of Anti-Social Social, Rich Follett from Fit4-Physio gives us his hints on some hip, pelvis and spine mobility drills.

    Maybe Shakira was right when she sang “the hips don’t lie” in 2005 (had to google the year)……

    Let’s be honest, we all tend to spend a lot of time sitting – especially at this time of year with shorter daylight hours and rain rain rain. Whether it’s at the home office (COVID problems), in the car, on the sofa or on your favoured mode of 2 wheeled transport. Our hips end up flexed in these positions – and for long periods of the day. Add to that the fact that the vast majority of us grab a bike and just ride without really looking after our bodies particularly well and it’s a recipe for problems! When was the last time you did some stretching or mobility work after a ride?

    In addition to tightness in the front of the hips, we tend to work our lower back and glute muscles pretty hard on the bike. This can lead to tension and overload of certain muscle groups. Not a bad thing necessarily but when this combination of “load” on our body system leads to imbalance around the hips / pelvis / spine, it can lead to problems. 

    We’re not just talking pain either….. performance problems are prevalent too whether it’s the ability to push hard or having the appropriate mobility for your cycling discipline, maybe unlocking those hips could be the key to cycling utopia!?

    The exercises suggested here are generic hip, pelvis and spine mobility drills. They don’t replace a detailed and individualised approach that is required for some problems – for that, it is advised you Ride Sheffield supporters see your trusted physio (ideally with cycling specific knowledge) – oh, that’s us at Fit4-Physio! 

    However, you might want to give some of these a try. There’s no hard and fast rule around how many to do or when to do them. Find what works for you. Have a go. Challenge yourself and see where your limitations lie. If you struggle or find something particularly painful, contact us and I’m sure we’ll be able to help.

    At Fit4-Physio we wish you all a very healthy and happy Christmas period and hope 2021 is a belter of a year for everyone.  Happy riding.

  • Redmires Update: Project Postponed

    Redmires Update: Project Postponed

    Over the years Ride Sheffield have dreamt big and grafted hard to realise some very ambitious projects and have built a well earned reputation as a riding community that gets the job done.  Our latest venture, Redmires, was set to be another example of this same commitment but unfortunately we have faced an ever growing set of unforeseen challenges and now three years down the road, we have had to make the difficult decision to postpone our work on the project. 

    Thanks to the generosity of local business and riders, the money required to build the track in Redmires Plantation was quickly raised. We formed an excellent relationship with Sheffield conservation groups to ensure we knew what possible impacts we could have on local wildlife. Ride Sheffield and Sheffield City Council (SCC) went the extra mile to produce a proposal that addressed numerous issues that could have an impact on the project.

    But that’s where the good news ends. Redmires lies within the Peak District National Park (PDNP) and therefore comes under close scrutiny due to its proximity to land that is of prime conservation status. The National Park Authority has the highest standards and in spite of our best efforts to fulfill those standards, we have run into a brick wall.

    Along with local residents, the PDNP has raised a number of objections including the effect the trail would have on landscape value, exacerbated by Storm Doris felling a belt of trees adjacent to the Long Causeway. The possible increase in parking and the fact that an endangered species, nightjar, is now nesting in the plantation were also crucial issues.

    We may all have opinions about the veracity of these objections but we were under no illusions when we first proposed this project that it would be a real challenge. The delay has understandably caused some serious debate within the local riding community with some arguing that we should abandon Redmires. Rightly or wrongly, we stuck to our guns for three years but, as a result of changing circumstances, we have to make a difficult decision.  Given the complexity of the planning application, it’s highly likely that Redmires will not be built for five years.

    But we’re not giving up. For a number of reasons, we’re determined to continue striving to achieve what would be a ground-breaking trail. It would set an important precedent, that mountain biking and conservation can co-exist. Time will be a factor because the growth of new trees will have a number of benefits for our project, not least removing the landscape impact.

    Importantly, this allows us to move on in a number of ways. First up, we’re keen to revitalise Greno. All three tracks need maintenance and reinvention with DH3 due an overhaul to ensure it becomes as popular as Steel City and Pub Run. We’ve already spoken to our corporate sponsors and they’re happy for funds they donated to be used for Greno. That, along with donations to the Greno Trail Fund and the Xmas raffle means we’re close to the required sum.

    Secondly, Lady Canning’s has been incredibly popular since construction and is showing serious signs of wear and tear. Again, we want to bring it back up to the highest possible standard. We may not be able to rebuild both of them immediately as that will depend massively on the continuing generosity of the Ride Sheffield mountain bike community. We’re in the process of making an application to the Santa Cruz Pay Dirt fund which could go some way to financing this work.

    Sheffield is the coolest mountain biking scene in the country. Thanks to the support of our community, we raised £45,000 towards Redmires. At some time in 2021, we will seek your opinions on what to do with the remaining Redmires funds. Ride Sheffield is determined to carry on listening to our supporters, being influenced by them and supporting the local mountain bike community.

  • Roll up, Roll up

    The Ride Sheffield Christmas Raffle is ON. This is all you need to know:

    Eyes On The Prize

    Thanks to our amazing supporters we have some awesome raffle prizes which you could be taking home this Christmas. Here is what’s up for grabs:

    Cotic Voucher worth £549
    Hope e4 brakeset with rotors and mounts
    Renthal bars x 5
    Peaty’s Selection Pack
    Fasthouse Jersey, Shorts, Gloves and Pants
    HKT Protect frame protection
    Broker riders hoodie x 2
    Bike Garage voucher
    Shralp Devil’s Elbow Tee
    Bontrager shoes
    Bontrager waterproof
    Shoes and waterproof
    Hope head doctor
    Hope bar end plugs
    Hope bottle
    Hope Jersey
    Ride Sheffield hip flask

    Expert Bike Repair
    £100 voucher

    Raffle Closes: Sunday, 20th December

    Tickets: £2 per ticket – unlimited tickets available!

    Ticket Purchase Options:

    1) Transfer via PayPal as ‘Friends and Family’ and reference ‘Raffle’
    – please send payment to ridesheffield@gmail.com

    2) Bank Transfer direct to Ride Sheffield and reference ‘Raffle’
    – Payee Name: Ride Sheffield
    – Account number: 91574205
    – Sort code: 40-31-02

    3) Sign up to the Ride Sheffield RADtax and get double entries as a thanks for your long term support – eg. Join on the red level at £20 per month and you receive 10 tickets plus an extra 10 as a thank you from Ride Sheffield.

    Sheffield Raffle Funds

    All proceeds from the raffle will go into the Ride Sheffield fundraising pot which is our life blood, and allows us to develop and maintain the trails. If you want to find out more about Ride Sheffield’s fundraising jump over to our Support Us page. Thanks to all those who already donate through RADtax and help us to keep the trails running sweetly.

    via GIPHY