Rushmere Park MTBing

Hi all please take a look at the below info/email about the Rushmere Park MTB project. No doubt you will agree it's something we should be looking to get involved with at some level. Your comments and opinions will be appriciated as usual.
Regards
Lg

Subject: Rushmere Park MTBing
Date: Mon, 16 Aug 2010 20:33:26 +0100

Hi

I would have called you but thought this was easier to do by email as you may want to forward/cut/paste it.

I was at Stockgrove yesterday and chatting to Bob Holland (Head Ranger at Stockgrove) who said they are looking at putting some MTB trails in at Rushmere Park and are at a stage of gauging interest and the possibilities with interested parties. Rushmere is something like 4 times the size of Oak Wood and as you look at Stockgrove joins up at the back of Stockgrove going over to the LH side of the park. More info is http://www.greensandtrust.org/Rushmere.html and http://www.johnclegg.co.uk/properties-for-sale/property-detail/?id=232

I met Bob this afternoon for a walk around there and a chat. Bob says he thinks that with some guidance and plans from professionals, rangers with chainsaws and hiring in some heavy machinery and manpower from volunteers however not being a mountain biker however he has little idea of what is wanted/needed.

If you can imagine a smaller Aspley Woods jump area with no trails and an open book plus a few more smaller valleys which can be used for XC. He has a rough idea of a few areas for DH and a flatish area for jumps (if the trees are removed) but that is it. On talking to him he thinks its possible to link to Oak Wood trail and I suggested that with a little work in Oak Wood could be quite a nice loop (more berms, rollers, possibly a few drop offs, hills, switchbacks, climbs and DHills). I suggested he runs the XC through a DH run in the proposed play area so we get some nice descent and also that we could possibly have a skills area (log for front wheel lifts, few jumps to learn on, singletrack practice area, flat log for balance etc. – the worlds your oyster at the moment so suggest away to him!)

I have also suggested a second family type shorter trail so basically a red route for mountain biking and a green/blue for families (I also added if we loop the red trail we can get a huge amount more mileage in it so hopefully a good distance to ride).

I get the feeling it will be a huge amount more regulated than Aspley Woods (i.e. no illegal trail digging!) but could be a great mini trail centre (plans are also for toilets, separate car park and entrance, snack van, visitors centre, Go Ape and paintball) and the more enthusiasm and interest we show the more we can get out of what could be a great new area for MTBs let alone if we still have Aspley or not!

Bob is eager to get views of all interested parties and is therefore meeting some of the jump/DH guys this weekend – I said I would mention it to Cyclone if anyone wants to get involved in it can they contact Bob at the Rangers office to meet up for the meeting (tel is 01525 237760) and also do you have any contacts at Buzzards to give a nudge to as they ought to be involved (from my conversation with Bob the Buzzards didn’t seem to be involved at the moment)? In the future I think he will also be after forming a band of volunteers to build, sculpt and maintain the trails.

Feel free to pass this on to anyone relevant who would like to contribute

Thanks

I would Valentar if we get a good trail out of it
it can be good may be racing on it as well.
i am up for it

This could be a good thing,the more people get stuck in and involved the better for everyone.

More trails,new places to ride its a win win situation

As so as i hear any more news i post it on.

I would Volunteer 4 this

I think its something that the club should be involved in. I'll put my hat in the ring for a bit of digging and stuff.



I hope this is as well as Woburn Sands trails and not instead of them

If it links up to oak wood that will link into the trek trail aswell a nice loop from Woburn Sands!

Thats a great start.

2 Valentar's

2 Volunteer's.

Anybody else?

I plan to give them a call later today.

Hopefully they won't require valentars on voluntines day

Gav maybe its work sending out a mailshot to let people know that haven't read the forum resently

Count me in for helping out.
Am interested in getting involved with the planning stage as well as lending a shoulder to the construction etc.
Is there a date planned for a meeting yet does anyone know ?

speedy_daz wrote: I'll put my hat in the ring for a bit of digging and stuff.

Where can I get a Hat like yours Speedy ? My garden needs digging , and if I could get a Hat to do it for me .....

Rob.

I'd be happy to help out, like Daz says would be good for the club to be involved in some capacity

Count me in.

I called to speak with Bob today however he's on holiday until Saturday. Left my details and number so will let you all know as and when I do.

Thanks for your responses guys. Bg, Caroline and I have been emailing each other about this and I think we all agree getting involved is the right thing to do and a very positive thing for our club.

Cheers all

Lg

I will valently valentire as well, planning, digging.

Pinky will make every one Tea and Cakes.....................................I'll tell her tonight!

I'd be up for helping in any way i can. I can certainly dig!

Wow, interesting stuff. Happy to do whatever I can

I'd be happy to help too.

I've been away on holiday, but now I'm back

I was hoping to get hold of some of the committee members to discuss Rushmere. The stockgrove user group are holding an OPEN meeting to discuss the future of Rushmere park with representatives from the various users (cyclists, horseriders, walkers etc) on the 30th August. I will get more details.

I was hoping we could send a representative from the club. ( I'm at Coed -y Brenin that day.)

As a resident of Heath and Reach and a frequent visitor to Stockgrove I would like to push for a permissive cycle route to connect Thrift Road in Heath and Reach with the Greensand ridge bridleway. If we can get in some nice XC loop stuff as well then that would be fantastic. I'm not sure we should be pushing for jumps/DH...

Of course I volunteer for trail building... I would be really nice if we could improve the trek trail too ( hardpack berms anyone?)

Kona Dave

Ok,

Stockgrove and Area User Group - OPEN MEETING

@Stockgrove Country Park,

Sat 28th August 1430 - 1700

*talk by Malcolm Oliver about Rushmere
*A chance to talk to the stockgrove rangers
*Meet your area representatives - dog walking , horse riders etc etc
Join us on a guided walk around the stockgrove area
BBQ and informal chat 5pm to 7pm
Phone Bob Hook on 01525 237760 for more details

Thanks for the details Si.

Still no call back from the rangers.

I'm away this coming Saturday so will not be able to attend the meeting.
Speedy Daz has kindly offered to go along and represent the club. Hopefully BG will be going also.

Lg

I decided to visit Wales instead did anyone else go along to the meeting?

i did not get a chace to go to the meeting as my car is off the road
dam thing

do we Know what kind of time scall thay are thinking about?

woody1200 wrote:i did not get a chace to go to the meeting as my car is off the road
dam thing

do we Know what kind of time scall thay are thinking about?

Well it took 4 years to build the trail at Cannock with an army of volunteers and experianced trail builders, so you need to be patient and ready for some hard work

Is there any evidence yet that they are actually going to close the old trails?

im in for some shiftin , tres interesteed

Apsley Wood: Negotiations are still ongoing between the landowners and Councils regarding the renewal of the Access Agreement for Aspley Woods. They have agreed a further extension to the Agreement until 31st December 2010 and applications for cycle permits As soon as we have any additional information, i will put it up.