Dry times are good times for mountain biking and complaining about them is like refusing a free pint. But Ride Sheffield has been desperate for rain for the entire summer – weird ain’t it?
The DH3 rebuild in June was taken as far as it could be by the trail builders but for the next four months it was baked dry by the sun. As you probably know, post building we need a combination of rain and sun to bed the trail in. The driest year for centuries didn’t help us out so we had to close it. Some people rode it, ignoring the fact that it was loose and soft. There were numerous logs on it and signs pleading with everyone not to ride it. Thankfully, only a few rode it in spite of the fact that it looked stunning.
Finally, late October and early November, after numerous rain-dances by Ride Sheffield, we got a downpour. On the Saturday 26th November, the Trail Team and numerous volunteers turned up to help out and make DH3 ready to ride.
It was an incredible day. The sheer effort was remarkable and the fact that the entire trail was beaten, whackered and finessed to an exemplary standard was amazing. We used multiple whacker plates to compress the berms and the youth created some prime lips on the jumps. The age range was probably 15 to 64!
What we have to say is that our volunteers are superb. Both our Trail Team and the volunteers who mucked in were simply the best. We salute you!!
We’ll be checking the trail in December and all being well should be opening DH3 before Christmas. Watch this space!
After the success of the last big trail day we held last year, we thought it would be good to head back up to carry on with the work we started in 2021, tidy up a bit of the winter damage and get the trail ready for spring.
Supported by Santa Cruz Bicycles Pay Dirt programme, on Saturday the 12th of March we will be having another super-sized trail day up at Lady Cannings.
Working on a number of sections on Blue Steel, the plan is to rebuild and reshape features to get them up to scratch and up to date, as well as a bit of patching and drain clearing thrown in for good measure.
This starts off by getting 40 tonnes of material on site in the next couple of weeks and then getting it to when it needs to be. Hopefully that will reduce the need for such epic barrowing sessions some volunteers enjoyed/endured last time!
So, what does the trail day look like? With a lot to do, we need a lot of helpers to get it done, so here’s our plan…
You will be then put into a mini trail crew with an experienced team leader
Your team will have a section of trail to work on/rebuild
We will provide you with the tools and machinery to get the job done under the guidance of the team leader (all we ask is you come dressed for the work!)
You get to learn some new skills, get a bit of a workout and the pleasure of turning a rough berm into a dream to ride.
For your efforts we will be providing you with a Pizza lunch (provided by Sunshine Pizza Oven) and the chance to win some Santa Cruz goodies too.
Santa Cruz Bicycles will be there on the day and will hopefully have some nice bikes on display too, with staff on hand to be able to talk you through what is on offer and perhaps offer a bit of guidance on your current ride set up too.
Not only that; they will have some Santa Cruz athletes and staff along to help us with the trail work too.
We will also have the Ride Sheffield stand up there, with our Ambassadors on hand to chat about what we are up to and sell you some nice Ride Sheffield merch!
So even if you don’t manage to book a spot, it’s still going to be a fun day up in the woods. So swing by and get a couple of laps of Cooking on Gas in, say hi, grab some food, check out some nice bikes and buy some Ride Sheffield merch. What’s not to love?
If you’re keen to help out, but don’t fancy the trail work – please ask on the stand. It may be that you can help out with litter picking, logistics or a few odd jobs!
We cant wait to get up to the woods and get digging and revitalising a Sheffield classic not to mention seeing you all up there too.
If you have any questions, please get in touch, but if not, just follow the Eventbrite link and we look forward to seeing you on the day.
After a great couple of sessions on Blacka and at Lady Cannings, our women’s trail day in collaboration with Cotic Women of Steel returns. This time we will be working on the Eastern Moors Loop bridleway, improving the drainage and repairing the surface on the main track.
All are welcome – whether you have experience or not, it’ll be great to have you involved.
As it’s an SSSI, the work and techniques will be a bit different to previous dig days, so we will be talking about what we’re doing and why, and why it’s different to the work we’ve done on Blacka Moor or at Lady Canning’s.
This is the project we’ve been working on for a while and we are stoked to finally be able to share it with you all. This is the biggest Ride Sheffield news for a long time.
Back in early 2021 we launched a crowd funder to find the remaining funds we needed to top up the £20k from the Radmires project corporate donors to give Greno the major work it needed. Covid delayed the fundraising, the planning and everything else but the money kept slowly rolling in from riders and the pot slowly grew. Late last year we finally had the full £30k that we needed together.
We’ve been talking to contractors, liaising with the Wildlife Trust, discussing plans on site and getting everything sorted and 100% sorted so we could share the news.
Starting on Monday 11th April, Greno will be finally by getting the work it desperately needs. All 3 trails will be getting major work over the course of 6 weeks by a 4 man team using plant to repair, refurbish and refresh the trails. Some of the classic features will be retained, some will be updated and there will be a bunch of new stuff as well!
In addition to the great news on the work happening is the folks who are going to do it. We’ve put together a crack team of diggers to make Greno better than it’s ever been. Led by Farmer John and James Petit working with Ollie Hindley and Alex Bourekas, the crew will bring a new feel to the trails and show us what they can do. They’ve worked together before in Europe building bike parks in Austria and beyond, this will be their first work together in the UK.
Those who’ve been to Farmer Johns will know the flow and jumps of the top section and some of the techy sections lower down in the woods. JP sculpt is best known in these parts for his trails in Wharncliffe just over the road. Who’s excited to see what they can do?
During the works there will be trail closures while the magic happens. Trails will have signs up, barriers across the trail etc and if you see any of this please do not ride the trails, if you see anyone else doing please ask them not to. Riding while work is happening and before the trails are settled will lead to lots of rework, delay the proper opening longer and reduce the good work the guys can do. The Ride Sheffield social pages will be kept up to date with the latest via a pinned post on Fb and a #grenotrails posts on Instagram. We’ll do our best to keep something open to ride at all times but weather and other factors will determine when we can open the trails. Whatever anyone thinks or says if there are signs up and blockers across the tracks they are not ready to ride regardless of how good they may look so please please be patient. Anyone caught riding tracks while they are closed will receive a lifetime Steel City DH ban.
This work wouldn’t have been possible without the support of Vulcan Engineering, Avanti Conveyors, Cotic and the riding community of Sheffield and beyond. Huge thanks to everyone that donated. To make sure as much awesome as possible gets created Ride Sheffield and Steel City Series will put in another £5k between them to invest a total of £35k in to the work.
As always massive thanks go the Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust who own and manage the woodland and are very supportive of mountain biking in general around the city. We wouldn’t have trails in Greno without their help!
If you’re a regular user of any of our trails and don’t already please consider signing up Radtax for a few quid a month to help support the work we do and the trails you enjoy riding. It all goes to good use to help Ride Sheffield do more and make more great things happen for bikes around the city.
FAQ’s 1. Is it open yet? Not unless we say so and we’ll make a load of noise when trails are ready for folks to ride!
2. Will there be any new/more trails? Unfortunately no, Greno is a victim of it’s own success and is already so popular with with bikes, walkers, horses and wildlife etc that there is no more capacity for further trails.
3. Can I help with the build? The trail works will be carried out by professionals with plant and machinery to ensure they can stand up to the huge levels of traffic Greno sees. We will be doing some dig days prior to the race to get all the other bits ready for race day. Help at these would be much appreciated.
4. How can I help? Sign up to rad tax and come along to dig days if you can. If you’re keen to be more involved with all Ride Sheffield does and have time to commit to helping mountain biking then drop us an email to info@ridesheffield.org.uk and lets talk.
5. Why’s it taken so long? Fund raising is never quick and during uncertain Covid times it didn’t feel right to be pushing folks to donate. After that contractor availability, fitting in best with the seasons in the woods and other things have all meant that now is the time. We’ve been working hard in the background to get it over the line as soon as possible.
6. I need to practice for the race? It’s not practice until race day, anything until then is just riding your bike. Steel City track will be done first and will be open as soon as we possibly can but please be patient and don’t ride until we say it’s ready!
After over 18 months without a public trail day, it gives us great pleasure to announce that we’re back and this first one is going to be a really big one too!
On Saturday the 23rd October we will be having a super-sized trail day up at Lady Cannings . Working on Blue Steel, the plan is to rework the most tired sections of the trail, smooth out the rougher sections to keep it on grade and to start to reshape the berms to return that roller coaster feel.
Ride Sheffield have joined up with Cotic Women of Steel to put on a women-only trail maintenance day on Blacka Moor on 16 October.
The event is aimed at encouraging more women to learn about trail maintenance requirements and techniques and will hopefully (if we get enough interest / don’t scare everyone off on the first session!) be the first in a series.
For this session, we will be working on Blacka Moor bridleways, repairing trails and improving drainage before the winter. We will also be looking at how bikes, horses and walkers use the trails to try to understand the best way to make the repairs work for everyone (so no, we won’t be building any gap jumps or kickers…)
Spaces are limited on this session, so if you’re interested, please contact info@ridesheffield.org.uk for details, or check out the Cotic Women of Steel Facebook for further details too
We will provide tools as well as some snacks too. But if you can bring your own drinks and dress appropriately for the work that would be great.
We’re chuffed to confirm that we’re one of the projects recently announced as recipients of a PayDirt grant!
Founded by Santa Cruz Bicycles in 2019, PayDirt funds recreational mountain bike trail opportunities worldwide. With an initial three-year, $1 million pledge, PayDirt aims to create and strengthen opportunities for greater trail access and development through localised trail construction projects, economic development planning, events and related programs.
Ride Sheffield plans to use this grant to kick start our Trail Teams – several dig crews across the city to cover the sites that we help to manage and maintain. We’ll use the money to equip the team with the tools, skills, training and relevant first aid needed to get them out and fixing trails!
Watch this space for more details, we’ll be advertising for volunteers when we have everything in place!
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.
The Peak District National Park Foundation has awarded Ride Sheffield with a £500 grant towards trail maintenance projects, resulting in the purchase of a new leaf blower.
The newly formed charity, the Peak District National Park Foundation, has been fundraising to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the Peak District in 2021. Thanks to their efforts the optimistic target of £70,000 is now well within reach, and as part of this project Ride Sheffield has been able to invest in this game changing piece of equipment.
Leaf blowers have proven really useful for clearing trails of muck and mulch, making everything even more rideable, and keeping the trails as clear as possible through autumn and winter. Getting rid of the organic matter that rots down into mud means that we don’t have to scrape it off later in the year.
We’ve been able to borrow Sheffield City Council’s machines, but demand being high meant that availability hasn’t been great over the last couple of years. An extra leaf blower will be a huge help.
“It’s the little things that matter! Maintenance isn’t sexy or good at creating news headlines, but is at the heart of good conservation management and sustaining a high quality landscape. A place where wildlife can thrive alongside the people who want to enjoy ‘blowing the cobwebs’ away, be it walking, riding, running or just enjoying being in nature” Jon Dallow, Sheffield City Council
Sheffield City Council are kindly testing and maintaining this blower for us and we’ll be sharing it with them to use when they have larger projects. Ride Sheffield will be getting out as much as we can to clear the trails we’ve built with the council at Parkwood and Lady Cannings, Sheffield Wildlife Trust sites like Greno, along with the bridleways dotted around the area.
Before…..
“We’re delighted to have the ongoing support of Ride Sheffield to help look after the network of public bridleways and footpaths at Blacka Moor nature reserve. The recent purchase of a leaf blower with funding from the Peak Park Foundation will really help the volunteers keep the routes clear and in good condition over the autumn and winter.” Nabil Abbas, Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust
After!
We’re chuffed to have the support of the land managers we work alongside, along with the Peak District National Park Foundation and their grant money. Team work as it should be!
You can read more about the work of the Peak District Foundation and their work here
Greno Woods has been providing mountain biking good times for the past 30 years in different guises, from hand cut tracks with wild sketchy jumps, through some quite gnarly north shore and loamy natural runs, to the trails that we have now.
10 years ago, Sheffield and Rotherham, Wildlife Trust bought the woods and in part of the efforts to raise the money (and the profile of the plans) that was needed to buy the woods, we thought a (big) little race would be a good way of contributing to this.
The birth of Peaty’s Steel City DH on a damp cold day in March was the catalyst for further development the woods. Money from the first race went into building the Steel City DH track, funds from the next race went into formalising Pub Run and DH3.
Since the very beginning SCDH has been funding the trails in Greno woods from inception to new lines, refurbs and revamps, with Ride Sheffield managing and maintaining them.
The bikes and the way we ride has changed a lot over the past ten years and we have worked hard to keep the tracks as well running and relevant as possible.
Greno’s trails are some of the most ridden (and loved) across Yorkshire and while they have been built to a great standard by Bike Track, things wear out eventually.
We want the trails to remain a great experience for everyone, we want them to be progressive and to play an important role in the development of riders in the city. But that’s not something that is possible on just the money raised by the race.
Greno Woods Crowdfunder
So, here is where we need your help…. We are going to be crowdfunding for the next phase of planned work in Greno, we have some major repairs and redevelopments on Steel City and DH3, but we need your support to get them done!
Want the best berms this side of Whistler Bike Park? Want trail featured that can help progress your riding?
Want trails that run as well in the winter as they do in the summer……?
Well now is the time to contribute. As well as your money raised, SCDH will also be contributing with funds from the race, but the more you can donate the further we can make that money go
Below is a Brief description of the work we plan to do and how much we need to raise to complete each section…. We will have 2 months to raise the funds, with a deadline of the beginning of May and will keep you updated with a weekly totaliser.
Plans and costing
Steel City DH – £8,000
Red trail
The Red trail from the split down will be brought up to the same spec as the rest of the trail.
Build up and reshape all the turns on this section up to the pro jump.
Lift all low-lying areas to above ground level to improve drainage and reduce on maintenance.
A new corner will be built at the end of this section before the pro jump to separate the Red and Black trails better. The Red trail will now run to the right-hand side of the existing trail where a new tabletop jump will be created parallel to the pro jump.
The new jump will be a rollable tabletop that is similar in shape but shorter than the pro jump to help the progression up to the pro jump.
This jump will land and a new section created to keep riders separated from the pro jump right up until entering the existing corner. This will give riders plenty of time to be able to land and control speed before joining together just before the corner.
Black split
The existing Rollable double will be extended slightly on the landing and angled to suit the new line into the pro jump.
The corner after this will also be changed and built up to improve the line into the pro jump.
A new set up rollable jump will be created out of the turn to gain speed and reduce the need for pedalling into the pro jump.
The existing pro take off will be moved to the left so that it runs in a straight line, this will also open up a safe run off space in between that and the Red trail and will also help for races.
The existing pro landing will stay the same, we will also repair existing black trail to the left of pro jump as a chicken run in normal riding situations.
DH3 – £8,000
New rollable features on the top section as better trail qualifiers and to make the first bit more interesting.
The first jump will stay the same but the berm after will be built up and extended to stop riders cutting straight down the open.
The first rock garden will be removed, and a big berm will be made with a feature after it. A new corner will be made before the big rollable double this will help control speed into this feature,
The jump will be resurfaced and all the way into the next berm. The berm after the double will be built up and extended to stop riders needing to brake so much after the jump and also to stop riders going over it and cutting the track.
The first section on the second rock garden will stay but from where it drops, we will take the rest away and a new berm will be made to help maintain riders speed. So, you will have a berm then a straight rock garden then a berm so riders can hop from the rock garden into the berm.
The existing berm before the tabletops will be built up to help maintain speed and to the tabletops. Tabletops will stay same they will just be resurfaced and the landing right into the berm after them. After this point the track will all stay the same just general improvement works and surfacing in areas.
The last big left-hand corner will be redone to repair braking bumps and generally make it better at speed.
Additional Costs – £4000
As well as the direct trail work, there are additional costs in maintaining a safe and fun set of trails, so a little contingency and planning at the start goes a long way
We’d like to include new signage for new trail features and replacing missing/damaged ones.
While we’re getting material, it makes sense to stockpile extra to be used for future volunteer dig days, as borrow pits and material transport are more efficient while done at the same time.
How to Donate
Bank transfer
Direct transfers can be made to the Ride Sheffield account, details as follows;
Account name – Ride Sheffield Sort Code – 403102 Account number – 91574205 This account is with HSBC.
Paypal
Click the button to donate via Paypal.
Alternatively, send Paypal donations to ridesheffield@gmail.com using “Friends and Family” if possible please! Pop a note in the comments box “Greno 2020” and we’ll be sure to match your donation up.
Commercial donations
We welcome donations from businesses, along with offers for help other than just funding. Perhaps you can provide food or tooling for a dig day or can offer prizes for us to run a prize draw for people who’ve donated. Please contact ridesheffield@gmail.com to discuss any idea you or your company might have.
Looking After Greno
Beyond the Crowdfunder one of the best ways to keep the trails running sweetly well into the future is to get involved in the upkeep of the trails as part of a Ride Sheffield Trail Crew. We would like a dedicated trail crew for Greno and will be make sure that you are fully trained to carry out the work, so if that interests you, please get in touch.
But for now, donate, spread the word and make Greno great again!
