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Hi, I live in Esh Winning in Durham. The woods here have some good mountain biking but like everywhere else in the country, the daily walks of the lockdown masses have left everywhere a muddy mess.
So I started thinking how hard can it be to build a mountain bike trail centre?
My thoughts so far are here in this document.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1o_hCve56o3Hfe7ZZV2QS75JGdM0oOGsVp4gdR4Mg0UE/edit?usp=sharing
If anyone has nothing better to do, would you like to help try and bring the project to life? We need people to find routes through the woods that could be trails and
search for and apply for grants
https://www.grantsonline.org.uk/search/grants?f=1
https://www.sportengland.org/how-we-can-help/our-funds
and to use their free mason connections to grease the palms of local councillors
equally, anyone who thinks this is a non-starter and should just stop immediately before I go insane, please say so.
I commend your enthusiasm, but I scanned through your proposal, and could't see anything on who owns the land?
Half of it is Durham County Council and half is woodland trust
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/woods/ragpath-wood/
to use their free mason connections to grease the palms of local councillors
I think you have maybe two minutes to edit that before you start applying to DCC members for permission to create MTB trails. 🙂
EDIT: Never mind...good luck with your charm offensive...
half is woodland trust
Good luck with that, doubt Durham County Council would be any more receptive either to be honest but as Hamsterley is usually rammed every weekend (pre lockdown, possibly the same now but haven't been since last November) I would like to see more legal trails in the north east
Wont happen hamsterley is too close
Ignore the naysayers, nothing ever happens if you don't give it a go. The accessibility on bike via the lines is a good point.
Absolute great idea. Especially your plan of using the connection of the old railway line cycle paths to get there.
However without sounding a bit negative, the point of people being and to cycle there could possibly put off any investment. Without majority of users using the car parks where would the council/woodland trust get any revenue to build and maintain it? One thing that Hamsterley does is bring in a lot of revenue through the car parks. Which the forestry commission can then use for trail building and maintenance.
Sorry if that sounds negative, but just making a point that may get brought up when you propose it. But i really like your plans and ambition, I think it would be a great location and use of the land. I drove past there the other day and thought it could definitely have some good riding built in it
I'm pretty sure there have been a few articles over the years of the Financial benefits for Peebles from Glentress being there, so you might want to show them as example of financial gain for the area.
I'm not sure the comments about e-bikes and affluent males over 30 will help. Neutral at best, though I see what you're getting at with attracting people with money to spend. Organisations aren't exactly falling over themselves to help, and be seen helping, this group of people. You know what the hot topics are right now - diversity and opportunities, with respect to gender, race, and socio-economic status. Trails accessible without a car from urban areas would be great for these people.
Best of luck with this, I'll be following.
Great idea, still a drive for me but it's in the area. I think besides the fact that we have a few areas dotted about - Sutton, Hamsterley, Guisborough (although no official stuff) there doesn't seem to be that many woods around on a local basis with a few trails on. Good luck with it and let us know how you get on.
Quick Update:
I have been in touch with Woodland Trust and also tried to get some support from Infinity Cycles who are just along the road.
Looks like (if permission is granted) the section 106 money would get a couple of trails built down the existing mtb mud baths.
Start small is the plan.