Sheffield mountain bikers met last night to discuss the latest changes to trails and access in the area.

Ride Sheffield was established last year to represent riders’ views, and last night the group held their second meeting at the Lescar pub on Sharrow Vale Road .

Talks from the Eastern Moors Partnership’s Danny Udall, and Sheffield City Council’s Jon Dallow explored bike access across the Peak District and closer to the city centre, and over fifty of the city’s mountain bikers gathered to trade parts and take part in a quiz and raffle.

“Horse riders, walkers, and other groups have been really well represented in Sheffield in the past,” says Ride Sheffield founder Henry Norman, “With Ride Sheffield, we’re giving mountain bikers a voice in the decisions that are being made about the trails and sport in the city,

“The work that’s going on in places like Parkwood Springs, and out on the moors, is fantastic for bikers, walkers and horse riders, and we want to build relationships with all the groups involved to make sure we’re all working together.”

Plans discussed included developments of the Eastern Moors, the area of upland which covers the moors above Totley and stretches southwards close to Curbar and Baslow.

Danny Udall from the Eastern Moors Partnership says, “This is a very special area that needs to be managed properly. We have a duty to protect the wildlife and ecology whilst also providing access to groups such as mountain bikers,

“We’re looking at ways to engage all the interested groups in what we’re doing with the moors, and get their input on what our next steps should be”.

Much of the Eastern Moors are designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), with protected status against development of the area which could affect the balance of ecology of the land. Some areas are also Scheduled Ancient Monuments, rare and important historical sites such as cairn fields and stone circles that are protected to the same level as Stonehenge.

“We’ve seen evidence of these Scheduled Ancient Monument sites being impacted by recreational activity in the area,” says Danny, “And we can’t stand by and let that happen. However by working with the groups involved we want to make sure they understand and support what we’re trying to achieve on their behalf elsewhere on the moors.”

“We’re talking to landowners, farmers and others leasing land to build a network of permissive bridleways in the area, and so far, the discussions are going well.”

The comments and plans received broad approval from the crowd of mountain bike clubs, local retailers and riders.

Plans to redevelop Parkwood Springs, a former landfill site, were also discussed by Jon Dallow, Parks and Woodlands Officer at Sheffield City Council. The site from Herries Road to the Ski Village offers great potential to develop cross country and downhill tracks, and with the added benefit of an uplift using the dry ski slope lifts, the plans were well supported.

“Ever since I was taken out on a bike six years ago I’ve understood the potential for the sport in the area,” says John, “We have great plans for Parkwood, including a cross country skills loop, yearly events and links into other routes nearby.

“In Sheffield we have a strong mountain biking community, and events such as the Wharncliffe Weekender established by Steve Peat show just how popular the sport is here.

“We want to use that enthusiasm to build momentum around the plans and in time we will be running dig days and events. At the moment we’re in the planning and consultation stages, but soon we will be beginning development of the site.”

The group also discussed proposed changes to the Fox Hagg Nature Reserve, which overlooks the Rivelin Valley. Currently undergoing a series of consultation, Ride Sheffield is campaigning to retain access on three separate bridleways.

“The Fox Hagg Nature Reserve and Wyming Brook are popular amongst both horse riders and mountain bikers, but this doesn’t mean there’s a lot of traffic passing through,” says Ride Sheffield’s Steven Hardcastle, “We need to get the council to see that the impact of closing off two of the three bridleways up there could cause more problems than it solves,

“All we’re trying to say to them is “just leave it as it is”, which will be better for us, and ultimately save them money too.”

An open consultation will be held to explore the Parkwood Springs plans on December 14 at the Ski Village, and discussions around Fox Hagg are now at an advanced stage between the council and interested groups, including Ride Sheffield.

“We’re just looking at ways to use the collective voice of the mountain bikers of Sheffield to build positive relationships with other trail users, and improve access for all”, adds Henry.

Ride Sheffield is an advocacy group aimed at using the collective might of Sheffield’s mountain bike community to improve, preserve and promote access interests for Sheffield’s mountain biker’s.

For more information contact [email protected], find us on Facebook at Ride Sheffield or at www.twitter.com/ridesheffield