[Closed] Calderdale GPX file

I hope not.

I hope not.

Me too!

OOooo, so thats the [i]real[/i] MTB scene is it ?.

Jeez, you guys are nice and inviting.

🙄

Don't worry oop north it'll all be there when you get back!

GPS blockers now up and running in Calderdale! Too cheeky to share!

Oh yeah I forgot ... the calderdale secret trail society .... local trails for local people 🙄

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Fill yer boots ;o)

Has anyone else noticed that when a route request is asked for on here, it usually results in numerous posts of helpful advice, route suggestions etc ......... except when it's for Calderdale, when you always get some smart ass who refers you to an OS map & zero help with routes .... what gives guy's, is it truly God's own country?????

It's to do with an increase in trail sabotage, large groups of riders on sensitive trails, moorland singletrack disappearing into quagmire, etc, etc, etc.

All those techy trails and steps tend to be a little bit cheeky, so not something to broadcast over the Internet or distribute with a gpx file. No locals tend to ride with gps because we discovered the trails with a bit of groundwork, a bit of exploration and a map.

The situation in Calderdale isn't one which lends itself to people treating the area like a trail centre. Locals tend to avoid conflict by not riding sensitive/contentious trails during the day on weekends. We also tend to ride according to the weather, if it's wet avoiding peaty stuff to keep it sweet. Anyone arriving the area with asset route loaded onto a gps is unlikely to consider other options.

Your best bet is to pop into the local shop, Blazing Saddles and ask them where they reckon will be good to ride. HTH.

Obviously that should read "a set route" not "asset route".

What Dave says above is true, people have been shown cheeky rotes before and then turned up a few weeks later to ride sensitive routes with a large group of people on a sunday afternoon(hello mr Barnes!). This has caused problems with local landowners and residents and conflict with local riders.
As mentioned above, ask at Saddles, they will point you in the right direction of some of the good stuff, but leave the gps at home.

Point taken about the GPS/GPX, I dont actually use one but thought it an easy way of finding a route to explore the area. We have the same issues in the Peaks, as I'm sure other area's do as well ..It's just other people in other sensitive areas still offer help on here, but mention Calderdale & the shutters come down ... How about emailing a couple of pointers to me??

Point taken about the GPS/GPX, I dont actually use one but thought it an easy way of finding a route to explore the area. We have the same issues in the Peaks, as I'm sure other area's do as well ..It's just other people in other sensitive areas still offer help on here, but mention Calderdale & the shutters come down ... How about emailing a couple of pointers to me??

to ride sensitive routes with a large group of people on a sunday afternoon(hello mr Barnes!).

Hmm, provide an example of when 'mr Barnes' has done that please..

Go to Bogtrotters website, there are pics of a large group of them going over sensitive parts of Stoodly Pike plus down very cheeky trails we know as "kebab st" (or Chipps bday present).

Peakprowler- contact Blazing saddles as mentioned, they will definately help.

Edit - Kebab st (also known by some as "**** yeah!") So many names to remember!! 😀

Not wanting to recreate a Tubbs and Edward scene, isn't it and shouldn't it always be about just getting out on the bike and exploring the trails. Have we forgotten the true value of an OS Map and an inquisitive mind.
Every area has it's own personality you adapt your riding too suit. Just get out and ride. It's amazing what you can find if you bother to look....

Just as an alternative view.

I discovered all of my local stuff with a map initially.

Then I got a GPS and electronic maps.

I've now discovered ten times more stuff by studying at home and then riding out to the trails using the GPS to guide me. I take a map as well (just to shut the zealots up) but the whole experience is so much more marvellous when I don't have to stop every 5 minutes to unfold a tablecloth of paper and align it using a compass.

I ride cheeky and non-cheeky, I'm happy to share the cheeky via GPX files but would supply with caveats as well, like "please don't ride this on Wednesdays as the WI sacrifice goats down here that day". I'd be really interested to hear of the trail that is now ****ed due to a GPX file.

All this "just get out and ride" advice is lovely but apply it to mountaineering "Mate, I'm not going to give you any routes in the Alps, just get out and climb". I somehow can't "equate the access all areas argument" with "but go and find them all yourselves". For me if riders are coming down my way I want to make damn sure that they are having a bloody good time and not being too naughty whilst having it.

If the poster had asked about Swindon, I'd have mailed him some lovely little bits that I know. But I doubt that Simon Barnes would do his Pied Piper act down here so it would never happen.

Finally, these are my views, I'm not saying they are right, but they're mine.

Totally argee Stretch & I am still finding new trails in my local area,as I am sure the 'Calderdale Union' are .. but when you're exploring a new area, more often than not there is usually some helpful advice on here & I would wager there many a Calderdale local been 'pointed in the right direction' when they have visited other areas.

DavidB .. Exactly the point I'm trying to make here, you've got to admit Calderdale guy's (& Brant) you do portray a bit of a 'closed shop' mentality. I totally agree with the sensitive aspect that Dave pointed out & my request for a GPX file was out of order after taking that on board. But Calderdale is not unique in this but any other area you do get more assistance.

[i]All this "just get out and ride" advice is lovely but apply it to mountaineering[/i]

But climbing and mountaineering both have well established ethics. If there was a risk of subsequent climbers chipping holds or otherwise changing the nature of a climb would there be the same sharing of routes?

We have seen trails deteriorate once they become widely publicised through online mapping and gpx files. Ripper Dipper which once was tight and twisting moorland singletrack has had corners cut and become widened through people riding it in wet conditions.

Lastly navigation isn't really an issue in Calderdale; winch up a climb looking for interesting ways back down into the valley, it's that simple. Or pop into Blazings and ask what they reckon would be good as I suggested up there ^^^

If there was a risk of subsequent climbers chipping holds or otherwise changing the nature of a climb

Happens all the time. I can point you at countless blogs of climbers who have had holds come off, rock falls etc....In fact a bunch of mates were climbing last weekend and had this vey problem. Read up on Jonny Dawes and India Face controversy.

I think you missed the point though, why not guide the bloke to where you think he will have the most fun and do the least damage

These are local trails, for local people..

We have seen trails deteriorate once they become widely publicised through online mapping and gpx files.

And a certain magazine, and their website? 😉

There does seem to be a lot of "these trails are amazing, but you can't know where they are" when it comes to this area..

There does seem to be a lot of "these trails are amazing, but you can't know where they are" when it comes to this area..

Yeah, pretty much. As said above, the problems that coachloads of offcumdens riding the valley at inopportune times or in adverse conditions isn't something that would seem sensible.

A damp Sunday and I wont get out until 9ish - I'm off to Lee quarry for a quick blast instead of riding haribo horse.