Open evening

On Friday 12th September from 18:30 we are holding an open evening at Whinlatter Forest, behind Cyclewise.

The evening is for you as members of the LDMBA to view the maps of the Rights of Way Improvement Plan which is currently under review, and to submit your suggestions for footpath upgrade to bridleway. This is your chance to have your say so come along and get involved.

Several committee members will be there for you to meet and put forward any other issues you would like to raise.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1667632130127966/

See you there.

Meeting minutes 18/06/14

LDMBA Committee Meeting 18/06/14

Golden Rule, Ambleside

Attendees – DS/AN/MW/TCS/DR

Apologies – DW/MS/PM/DD/ET/MP/MH

Agenda – Review of RoW Improvement plan maps with Dave Robinson from LDNPA

The RoW improvement plan maps are divided into 5 areas within the national park. North/South/East/West and Central.

The RoW improvement plan is around 6-7 years out of date and is being currently being reviewed by LDNPA. The renewed strategy for the RoWIP is to be written for the next financial year.

From the last review there is somewhere in the region of 100+ sections of footpath already suggested on the maps for upgrade to bridleway. Some of the suggestions have been implemented and are now classed as bridleways, others are still awaiting implementation and may not yet have been implemented for a number of reasons including cost/objection/legalities etc. This is a complex issue and not all suggested upgrades are feasible.

2 footpaths have recently been upgraded to bridleway. Sunny Brow to Pull Beck and High Close YH down through low wood to the road.

1 new bridleway has been created running SW from Ambleside through Pull wood.

The LDMBA are now a bona fide user group in the consultation process and are included on the LDNPA contact list to consult in matters relating to bridleway/cycle access.

As part of the current review we need to pin point which fp’s we would like upgrading to bridleway and provide strong reasoning why there is benefit in changing the requested routes. For example, connecting one dead end bridleway to another/forming a useful circular route/linking amenities etc.

Group action - Can any group members inform us if you have had any previous input in the RoWIP. What routes were suggested and for what reasons?

Group action – Where would members like to see upgraded. Please provide us with suggestions for footpath upgrades with strong reasoning why you believe your suggested routes should be changed.

The Derwent Water Circular loop was suggested as a priority upgrade. DR explained the difficulties of RoW legislation. We need to establish who our political contact for the area is. Action DS to write to local MP’s for further information.

DR suggested we link up with the well established CBS and also have a presence on the LAF. James Thurlow has previously agreed to speak on behalf of the LDMBA at LAF meetings. Action AN Agreed to look further into representing us at LAF.

It was suggested that we consider some sort of promotional piece showing that mountain bikers are not frowned upon as in years gone by. Interview some walkers/show positive example of sharing trails etc.

It was suggested that the Committee find out more about the CTC campaign for greater access for cyclists. This with a view of deciding whether LDMBA would back such a campaign.

The Highways act 1980 is the legislative document for access and will provide guidance on changing of RoW. DR agreed to send us a procedure for applying for change of access. Action DR.

CTC were discussed as having a great influence in changes to all kinds of cycling law. We should introduce the group to CTC and discuss our aims with them. Action DS to write to CTC.

If you have any input regarding the group actions please send us an e-mail.

We're now tweeting......

The Lake District Mountain Bike Association are now on Twitter, head on over and give us a like

https://twitter.com/lakedistrictmba

First committee meeting

Pending any objections to my previous post about the formation of the committee, we are planning on holding the first committee meeting on Thursday 24th April.

My suggested agenda items are:-
Objectives of the Association
Appointment of a Chair person/single point of contact
Roles/responsibilities of committee members
Communications/social networking
Ideas for a Code of conduct
Ideas for an open AGM
Frequency and venues for committee meetings

if you would like anything to be discussed please e-mail us at lakedistrictmba@gmail.com or use the contact page.

Minutes will be posted up following the meeting

Formation of Lake District Mountain Bike Association Committee

We’ve had a great response to our search for committee volunteers.

We have 12 names, with at least one person from NE, NW, SE, SW and Central and a good range of experience.
Unless anyone has any objections to anything, I suggest these 12 people are all made committee members. We are never going to get everyone attending every meeting so 12 should be good enough coverage for a decent turn out each time. It would be good if we can get everyone at the first meeting though. (date and venue tbc) 
If anyone has any objections to anything or any suggestions for ways that we can do this better then please use our contact page to get in touch or e-mail lakedistrictmba@gmail.com, otherwise this will be taken as agreed by all.There is a post similar post to this on our facebook page so everyone has the chance to have their say. I want to give everyone good opportunity to object if they wish so lets leave this open for 2 weeks before finalising. End date Monday 21st April.

Piers Mortimer, North East, Cycling club member
Mike Stephenson, South West, 30 yrs riding in The Lakes
Andrew Nelson, North West, 30yrs riding in The Lakes, worked with LDNPA as Parish Councillor and sits on NT committee
Ashley Robinison, North West, 4yrs voluntary service with the Whistler Off Road Cycling Association
Dave Drysdale, South Lakes bike shop owner, some guiding experience
Matt Woods, South East, Rider and employee at Wheelbase
Dave Watson, South Lakes, Retired bike shop owner, had previous interaction with various authorities
Matthew Powell, works for Natural England in The Lakes, interests in protecting fragile habitats
Ewen Turner, Mountaineering Instructor and MTB coach, Chairman of Lakes Branch of BMC
Mark Hatton, Central Lakes rider, keen interests in Rights of Way issues.
Thomas Corda-Stanley, North East, Rider
Dan Stringer, South/Central, MTB Instructor

Remember this is your association and your committee, if you have something to add then please get in touch with us.

Cheers

Dan

Introduction

The Lake District Mountain Bike Association has been formed following recent surfacing work on a number of bridleways and access routes in the Lake District. This work is seen by our members to be destructive to the promotion of mountain biking in the area as well as scarring the amazing Lakeland trails with urbanised almost concrete like surfaces.

To show your support visit our facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/253709714801268/ or our website http://ldmba.yolasite.com/