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Went up ilkley moor last night and was sad to see the arrival of more paving stones. They have been delivered by chopper right next to some of the best trails. As i was ridding these trails i realized this would be the last time i would ever get to ride them in their natural and brilliant state. The world is covered in paving do we really want any more? No tar!
Well, I wouldn't agree they were "natural" trails but flagging them does ruin the fun, there's some fantastic single track up there but also some horrendous peaty, muddy stuff that only rarely dries out.
Which part are they doing now?
Well they built steps up the side of Malham Cove, so it gets justified to sanitize and homogenize the rest of the world ('elf n' safety, innit)
It's a bit overkill. But personally i'd be keeping off likely moor when it's this damp. It's a tricky one up there.
BMDC rights of way people I would imagine, with Natural England approval. Shirley they will only be doing the bad bits.
Many of the popular paths on ilkley moor are an ugly, muddy unpleasant mess. I'd much rather have them sympathetically flagged than turn into metre deep, five metre wide trenches like (for example) bits of the dick hudsons path.
That path's a hoot when its dry. Which isn't very often.
There's better ways to surface than flags, they're terrible to ride and not much better to walk on.
I agree that it's fun but it's still massively destructive and exceptionally ugly. Personally I don't mind that flags too much, what surface would you suggest?
The Dick H path is my favourite xc jog, I've been jogging it ('running' would be bigging me up) for over 12 years, on and off. Thing I've noticed over the years, the Dick Hudson path is constantly shifting and changing, sections disappear (by-passed) and completely new bits appear. 50 years ago the whole path might have taken a completely different line. Often you can see, here and there, where an old line was and it's amazing how quickly it becomes overgrown and starts to just blend back into the general 'moor'.
The whole moor is under the control of Natural England, so the Land owner (Bradford Council) can't just lay down whatever they want. Presumably flagstone is acceptable.
three issues/ technical points..
first. no such place as Ilkley Moor.. Rombalds moor is above Ilkley.
second.. no bridleways over either of them
third... i was born on the moor.. weds just after half eight.. it was dark and snowing ( a lot)
If there doing that big red bog then it'll be a bonus 🙂
second.. no bridleways over either of them
1. So you do accept that Ilkley Moor exists then? If it's all the same with you, where geography's concerned, I'd rather accept what's printed on an OS map than your claims.
2. Did anyone say there was a BW?
Write a letter of objection to your RoW officer about the insensitive way these flags have been laid 🙂
On a serious note, if you look at the improvements made on Black Hill (that used to be black from exposed Peat) then you'd have to agree that the flags are a good thing. However take a walk along Derwent edge and you'll see paths appearing either side of the flags because some people think they're uncomfortable to walk on - no pleasing some people.
three issues/ technical points..
first. no such place as Ilkley Moor..
Yes there is, it's part of the larger Rombalds Moor. Which as you already know .......
.. ....is above Ilkley.
Bit subjective this one. I'm with this:
Many of the popular paths on ilkley moor are an ugly, muddy unpleasant mess. I'd much rather have them sympathetically flagged than turn into metre deep, five metre wide trenches like (for example) bits of the dick hudsons path
It's wet and busy up there and wooden board walk stuff didn't seem to be sustainable.
lemonysam - Member
I agree that it's fun but it's still massively destructive and exceptionally ugly. Personally I don't mind that flags too much, what surface would you suggest?
Base of large rock surfaced with 20mm to dust aggregate.
Or just leave it as it is and only ride up there when it's dry or frozen solid. FWIW I would guess that the "five metre wide trenches" are caused by foot traffic rather than the two wheeled variety.
FWIW I would guess that the "five metre wide trenches" are caused by foot traffic rather than the two wheeled variety.
Personally I'd guess it's caused by a combination of both however with regards to certain paths, and I think Dick Hudsons is a clear example, mountain bikers do cause significant damage. It's a popular ride, it's very rarely dry all the way up and the ground is such that it cuts up very easily.
Also, I think I'd rather walk and ride on the flagging than the surface you've described but I can appreciate that's personal.
Speaking as someone who runs but doesn't ride on the moor above Ilkley, whatever you wish to call it, my understanding is
1) The area is open access and so riding is not restricted to bridleways
2) There is a bridleway (the Bradford Millennium Way) across the moor anyway
3) Flagging isn't much fun to run or ride on but does protect the main paths
4)If you don't like it don't stick to the main paths (see 1)).
A man who speaks sence, apart from this
2) There is a bridleway (the Bradford Millennium Way) across the moor anyway
It's not classed as a BW, it's a road or 'green lane' or whatever. There are BWs on Rombalds Moor tho, specifically on Skipton Moor, Addingham Low Moor, Rough Holden and High Moor. [/pedant] 😉
I believe that Sancho is trying to get permission to do some sympathetic trail maintainence to the Dick Hudsons path. If he gets I hope you'll all find a bit of time to help 🙂