ranger17

In my own view, the professional Officers of the Peak Park will have enough on their plates just coping with the lanes without having to consider looking at private ground events as well. Even though they've just been given a stack more money to take on another full-timer to help work on "management", there's still a lot for them to do, including a list of priority routes that will be under scrutiny. The reason I put the bit about some could interpret that

Darn it! And I was so careful when putting it together Just looked now and the 2nd link - the email address to send to - doesn't seem to work, either. If that happens for you, go to peakdistrict.gov.uk. You'll see 4 coloured bars/tabs along the top: hit "Looking After" Near top right of the "Looking After" page you'll see "Current Consultations". Again, hit that and you'll find the document and email address.

PEAK DISTRICT NATIONAL PARK - STRATEGY FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF RECREATIONAL MOTORISED VEHICLES IN THEIR USE OF UNSEALED HIGHWAYS AND OFF-ROAD Anyone who lives and/or rides in the Peak District National Park may want to have a look at this http://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/looking-after/consultations I’m with Manchester 17 MCC who are members of Peak & Derbyshire Vehicle User Group (PDVUG). Man17 run both private ground trials and trials that use the green lanes. We and PDVUG are both responding directly. You may want to consider doing the same. Any comments have to be submitted to this PDNPA email address by 15 January 2012. At first sight it’s mostly about green lanes. However, some could interpret that “and off-road” in the title as covering all non-tarmac use … You may also want to check this out. http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/9910 As it says, this guy wants to “Stop off-roading in the National Parks”. Apparently, if these e-petitions get 100,000 signatures it triggers a Commons debate. I thought I recognised the petition author’s name. Some of you may have seen the recent Tales from the National Parks tv series, one episode of which focussed on vehicles in the Peak Park. This http://jimdixon.wordpress.com/2011/10/18/tales-from-the-national-parks/ is a link to the section of Jim Dixon’s Blog relating to the programme, JD being Chief Exec of Peak Park: take a deep breath and have a run through the article and then the Comments below it ;-) Not sure what we can do about his petition, but at least he's nowhere near the 100,000 mark. However, it does show something of what we're up against. If you’re concerned about having somewhere to ride, it’s worth a look through the PDNPA Strategy proposals. If you live in or near a different NatPark, remember that the Parks do talk with each other. If you’re concerned about something in there, tell the Peak Park. And if you live in the Park, tell your local councillors and MP too.

I prefer this. It has a certain inevitablility about it. I like the ape's finale, too - almost as though he knew exactly what he was doing all along.

Re Pistonbroke's comment about "an organisation

My own response to the Forestry Panel went off a while back and I forwarded the info to well over 100 members of my club. When he says "the Ramblers Association are very dangerous people", Pistonbroke is right, though I would qualify that by saying that some of them are dangerous. Some will be fine, it's just the active antis that we need to watch and counter. I have no personal objection to the guy from the RA who has been appointed to this Panel. Don

Hi folks Just to confirm that the Manchester 17 MCC "Boxing Day Madness" Trial is on. Venue is, as usual, Roman Lakes, Marple Bridge, Nr Stockport SK6 7HB. Signposted off the B6101 Marple to New Mills Road. Start at 11.00 am. Close 30 mins to start. Contact Ken Roberts, 07977 137018

I'll vote for that! But you forgot about a fully-stocked bar as well!

Nahhhhh! You've just seen the light, that's all

Phil Depending exactly where you are, have a look at www.manchester17.org.uk, www.macctrials.org.uk and www.ndymcc.co.uk. Other clubs are available but those should keep you quiet for a while and get you back into things. Then just ask around at trials. As for practice, Hawks Nest, just south of Buxton is a favourite for many. You'll find directions on the Man17 site - pay at the farm below the road. Don't know offhand how much it is - maybe someone else on here can say? Good luck.

OK folks, some information from you historically knowledgeable types please. I wasn't sure where to place this one so I've gone for General Trials rather than UK Trials to give it wider coverage in view of the subject's international reputation. The name of John Hartle will surely be familiar to some on here but probably not to others. A member of the Manchester 17 MCC, John was a top-level international road-racer. From Chapel-en-le-frith in the UK Peak District, he wore the town's coat of arms on his helmets. To quote MCN's Peter Howdle, "he was an outstanding example of a great rider who never won a world title." A former Norton, MV-Agusta and Gilera rider, in the 1958 Senior TT he became (after Bob MacIntyre) only the second rider to lap the TT course at over 100 mph. When John's MV caught fire, eventual winner John Surtees became the third. Hartle died at the Oliver's Mount circuit, Scarborough in August 1968. Like many racers, John was also an active trials rider. We have photos of him in the 1954 Bemrose and a 1963 Lightweight MCC trial in Ulster. In his memory, Man17 have the John Hartle Trophy, still competed for at our Hipwell Trial in the Peak Forest area, not far from Chapel. His name also appears on the club's John Simister Memorial (Racing) Trophy no fewer than 12 times. John's racing career is well-documented, but we don't know that much about his career and achievements in trials, which a family member is now trying to research. Over to you. Anything you can come up with will be much appreciated. Cheers.

Ahhhh forgot the unforgetable Hipwell Trial Yikes!!! Me too!! I foresee the distinct possibility of getting mugged by a certain pair May have to buy them off with some

What he said Of course, I might be a tad biased about the first 3 ... never done or even been to the JW so can't say The John Mac and Nexperts (don't be put off by the Experts bit, it's dual route with a big clubman entry) are both due up shortly. They aren't the time of year from the original posting, but you could always come and have a look this time round with a view to bringing your buddy next year?

Chewy I do the route map for the Bemrose programme. I'll PM you with a copy from this year's Bemrose for interest. Hope it helps. It's definitely a cracking good clubman's trial - very popular. If you want to show your mate what a good traditional British road trial is all about, you won't go far wrong with the Bemrose, then bring him back for the Dave Rowland in July - same sort of area. The Addict is right about the number of sections and they're a mix between limestone and gritstone, so a bit of variety, too. He's probably also about right on the route length but if you really need to know I can probably waz it through a digimap program and get somewhere pretty close. As for camping, the start is a plain old field and I've never known anyone camp there before. I can't specifically point you towards any campsites but a quick Google or a call to the Buxton Tourist folk should sort that. It's pretty much prime Peak District tourist country, so there's got to be some around not too far away. Cheers

Depends on what you mean by "in the Manchester area". How far are you willing to travel? There's Hawk's Nest, near Buxton. This Manchester 17 MCC website is a link to a location map via the Manchester 17 MCC website. No need to be a member of any club. Please note that the other venues shown there are for trials events only - no practising at them. You could try Victory Quarry at Dove Holes just north of Buxton, but that, I think, is only for members of North Derbyshire Youth MCC North Derbys YMCC. Both Man17 and NDYMCC run trials that are great for beginners, too. And before I get earache from the Macc guys Macc TC, so do they. I think there may also be somewhere to practice North Wales/west Cheshire-ish that won't be too far from you. Maybe someone else on here can post the info? First time you've had a trials bike? If poss, avoid practising on your own, just in case ... Good luck and have fun!