[Closed] Lee Quarry

Think it is been given back to the land/taken over by youth on motorbikes now.

Last thing I heard about Lee quarry was don't go alone due to a small gang of bike thieves operating in the area.

I remember reading a story on here a while ago about someone being mugged for their bike at the gate near the entrance to the quarry.

It's it essentially abandoned then now? Best avoided and go somewhere else?

I'm fairly new to the area but have been for a quick blast there a few times over the last year as I work nearby. I think I've read that it's been left to ruin a little from what it was but I've found it a good place to get a loop in. It's got a sort of strange abandoned vibe that I quite like.
No incidences with the yooth for me. In fact I've only ever seen 2 other people on bikes and one dog walker up there!

Went in august with my lad, having not been for at least 5 years. Total shite. Has very much gone to the dogs. My boy was so angry at how sh1t it was, to the point that we were both in hysterics laughing. Avoid.

Yeah the pump track area is totally washed out but the main red loop with the black add on bits is all rideable. I suppose it depends on your expectations. For me it's close to work and is good for an hrs exercise but if you've known it in a much better state you might well be disappointed..

Usual story from ****ing hopeless Rossendale Borough Council - no maintenance funds for any upkeep also ripped to bits by hoardes of local and visiting MXers. I live 5mins away and don't bother - I'd go Gisburn or Wales instead.

It's a curate's egg

Some parts are getting into poor condition which make them more challenging and have lost the flow they had

The drainage issues are worse so expect puddles, lots of puddles

Recently the MX problem seems less Lancs police are actually trying to do something about it over a sustained period

The climbs are still tough, some very tough. Signage was minimal, expect less

Some of the MX damage has trashed the pump tracks, the damage is deliberate, they don't give a toss

It's a challenging place to ride, always was, however there are still good bits and I regularly ride through. Lots of the original features are still there but less obvious due to lack of use, weathering and MX damage

The crime issue is probably a year old, I haven't heard anything since the well reported incidents. Park your car in the council offices car park or on the main road to be safest.

Finally don't forget that good local loops are in the area, and Cragg Quarry at the top of the hill (don't go when it's windy). Cragg rides differently to Lee and the lines are confusing after lots of guess what...MX damage but worth a go if you want to do the climb to the top

Usual story from **** hopeless Rossendale Borough Council –

They are useless, Lancs CC are also in part responsible

@big_n_daft I'm always up for more local info if you've got some good recommendations..

Google the pmba "rolling boar" routes

For Lee if you like using GPS and have Strava you could search out the old brownbacks racing events, 25 plus different ways of going around the quarry. (Some only marginally different)

Same for Cragg, find a GPS of it to get the original layout

I'll be back on the bike hopefully next week so can always take you round what I know, or just look at Strava heat maps

If we venture over that way, normally park at Watergrove reservoir car (kerr perrrk if youre local) and head over the bridleways to rooley moor road, up RMR to Cragg Quarry do the loop down the long path to LQ down to the office park, turn right, there is a cycle trail that will then take you down to Shawforth where you can rejoin the PBW back to Watergrove.

Thanks for the tips, I'll take a look. I tend to squeeze rides into small time windows between work and family so not particularly conducive to meeting up with other riders but thanks for the offer.
As another suggestion OP I do a cracking loop from hebden up to widdop and back in case you dont know it. Lovely ride.

We're holding an event at Lee Quarry in March, please follow the link if you're interested 🙂 https://www.bmbo.org.uk/calendar/details.php?event_id=1322

If we venture over that way, normally park at Watergrove reservoir car (kerr perrrk if youre local) and head over the bridleways to rooley moor road, up RMR to Cragg Quarry do the loop down the long path to LQ down to the office park, turn right, there is a cycle trail that will then take you down to Shawforth where you can rejoin the PBW back to Watergrove.

I'd go through Ding Quarry near the top of RMR to break up the climb, that connects to Cragg Quarry

not particularly conducive to meeting up with other riders but thanks for the offer.

Not a problem, I don't ride with me either 😉

A few of the classic bits have been sanitised over the last few years, there's lots of cheeky trails that you'll spot on strava heat maps

From the valley I'd recommend the climb out through Balladen, behind the quarry and the secret DH up Sand Beds Lane then Cowpe Lowe, you can extend it then depending on your available time,

The descent off Cribden is fun but can be busy

We’re holding an event at Lee Quarry in March, please follow the link if you’re interested 🙂 https://www.bmbo.org.uk/calendar/details.php?event_id=1322/blockquote >

I might go, someone has to be last, I'm assuming the controls are going to be half way down the black sections

You may want to change your closing date for entries to a date before the event......

 

Rode at Lee today. There's a few new buildings popped up since the last time I was there and the cafe over the road has gone. Think it used to be called Poppy's or something similar, I was hoping for cake but had to make do with flapjack from the petrol station!

Some parts are getting into poor condition which make them more challenging and have lost the flow they had

The drainage issues are worse so expect puddles, lots of puddles

There was a lot of puddles alright! Not been out on the MTB for a long time, especially in grim conditions, soon got tired of that. Some of the steeper gulleys I've ridden down before were more washed out so I didn't attempt then today and you can tell some of the trails are starting to wear. Didn't venture down to the pump tracks but could see one was pretty much completely under water.

Spent some time covering most of the trails in Lee then headed up to Cragg. That was all rideable, but flooded in parts and there was a section of bridleway taken over by cows which was a total bog.

Then went on and did the Cowpe descent. Wasn't banking on that being such a sh!tfest!! Don't know why, it's winter FFS, should know better!

So yeah, it's a bit unloved, but it's all still there and pretty much all rideable, just nicer when it's dry!