Bank holiday outings.....
Two outings today! One as a whole family and an opportunity to try out new bike carriers. Drove the short distance to Broompark picnic area which is now called the "hub of Durham's railway paths". Broompark is about 10 minutes drive from the city centre on A690, past Neville's Cross (jn with A167) and then turn right at the roundabout at the bottom of the hill towards Ushaw Moor and Esh Winning on the B6302. Turn left after .5 mile - its signposted.
Broompark is a good place to start if you want to get onto the railway path network. Durham has many miles of old railways that have been converted into paths suitable for biking and walking. At some point I'll provide a link to a map of the railway paths. They are flat and generally well surfaced and traffic free so are great for taking kids on or for clocking up some miles. There are some good rides to be done based around the paths but they are a little staid if you like "proper" off-road adventures!
We had a good time with kids on trailer bikes, and picnic lunch with us, although wifey soon complained of jelly legs and sore bum! I diverted from path with elder daughter and found a smidgen of singletrack through some trees. Elder daughter was whooping in delight and talking about how going fast made her feel "free". Thats my girl!
Bike carriers are new Thule Proride 591s. They seem to work well, although its a bit odd not being able to see bikes in rear view mirror! The bikes are lockable to carrier and in turn are fully lockable to bars, which lock to roof rails. Probably takes 20 - 30 minutes to put bars and carriers on car and attach bikes.
This evening got out for a couple of hours with P. Headed up to quarry workings below Sherburn Hill and then over to woods at Littletown. Downhill/Freeride kids(?) have been in woods adding some jumps to trails
there so we gave that a go. I bottled some of it on basis that I have a XC hardtail not suitable for grabbing huge "air", but P enjoyed himself as usual, despite mechanicals with chain and shifting. He really needs to get a half decent bike - he's going to become a cropper on that sports store special he's riding at the moment.
Both the quarry and the woods will feature in some of the routes I plan to include here so I'll not give full details of location here.
4 comments:
Dear Mountain Bike Rider,
being a long time user of the "woods" near Littletown, I might as well warn you that as well as yourselves the locals have noticed that the wood is being terraformed into a mountain bike area.
I must say many are`nt happy about it, the WoodLand Trust have been alerted as have the police.
Personally as there are no places as such to enjoy just messing on a bike and having fun putting energies into clearing dead wood digging up some soil and rocks etc into a very commendable civil engineering structure I positively encourage the "selective" use of the area and did the same and more not so many years before.
Without being a twat can I put forward some proposals that you could put forward to any prospective users, else I know that some with "increased use" will make it there business to destroy the hard work done there.
If you know the area which I know you do and may know others why not get together or make an unofficial deal, try removing any litter, even I move bottles cans waste etc, all you need do is put it down the small land falls, especially near the hole near the roots of the tree near the WHOOPS?. If need to REALLY cut down a tree try hiding evidence cover stump with mud and foliage as with removal of top soil to forest floor. Try looking further into wood there are plenty of trees which have fallen or are about to fall as roots find it difficult to penetrate the Limestone.
Mainly the worry of some is the lighting of fires and leaving interesting plastic drinks bottles, I assume are experiments these engineers are trying out, not for use to perpertrate the inhalation of an uncontrolled substance.
I know it is not you, but if again you could feed it back to some to hide the evidence and be sensible then a peacefull co-existance can be obtained.
If all users to this area are real bikers then I know it will be OK, if I am right your friend and you use BLAK & WITE means of transport each and are very careful and respectful of the area.
I think it should be used and even extended through the wood. the problem is if it gets too popular, a fire burns down the wood, an accident occurs, serious enough to need an ambulance then a helicopter may be needed as the owner of the land to the West of the original road is blocked to traffic (denoted by the pillars to old Elemore Hall which he vandalised in knocking one down has blocked the old road/bridleway with the remains and put up signs prohibiting horses and bikes).
Ultimately you get my drift I am sure, I can only defend its use for so long. Reason being its cool and I was younger once and think the endevers good. Thats the only reason I`ve took the time out to write this friendly banter and nothing else. Hope you and others come to enjoy the wood as generations have previously especially Littletown, but have seen our rural rights of way and usage curtailed by those more worried about self interest than life and enjoyment of nature.
Regards (USUL),
It's amazing in favor of me to have a site, which is valuable designed for my experience. thanks admin
My weblog ; Http://Wsd.Dli.Mt.Gov
I like [url=http://www.nikeshop.ca/]Nike[/url] and http://www.nikeshop.ca/7ghnalee
smokeless cigarettes, electronic cigarette, e cigarette, electronic cigarettes reviews, electronic cigarettes, e cigarette health
Post a Comment