newbie in burnley

liveforever1982

hello guys just saying hello,actually got my giant hartial a few years ago and got out on a few easy trails,but then new job a change of location and marriage gotin the way. now looking to get back intoit properly but my fitness isn't there so just starting out on the canals to start with.

IT66T

Welcome to the family .

Going along the canals is a good way of getting into it but if you've got a local woods than that would help with your handling skills and i'm not sure about the canals round your way but i'd be aware just in case you get stopped by some one asking for your licence number as by law your suppose to have a licence and display the number on your bike and it's suppose to be around a fiver for 12 months as i found this out about 10 years ago when i was out cycling on the canal through Bollington but only some areas bother with enforcing this so you might be ok lol .

liveforever1982

lee quarry is just up road from me but not sure if it is suitable for a novice?? didn't know about the licence for riding along the canal thought that only applied to fishing,with the amount of bikes i've seen on the canal both push and motor i don't think it's something thats enforced round this way.haha. gareth

IT66T

Hi Gareth ,

It's the same with the canal that runs through my local area as no one seems to bother but just a few miles further up it's a different story which was a surprise to me when i got stopped as i'd been on the canal locally for years and no one had ever mentioned it before .

Theirs a few members on here that go to Lee quarry who could advise you but my 1st time racing an MTB was at a Quarry up Macclesfield way ( Bosley ) and even though i hadn't been riding an MTB very long i entered into the down hill event and managed 3rd place which was all down to how confident i was feeling at the time and knowing not to push my self beyond what i felt comfortable with .

Ian

Mikelancs

Hi,

I live in Nelson and have been out of the saddle for years and have just gotten back into things and looking at further a field.
I went to Lee Quarry and have to say it seems fine for a beginner but the signs are terrible, give it a go though its not far at all.

Ill be up exploring soon again and off to gisburn when we are treated to a bit better weather.

liveforever1982

do you mean the trail is bad signed or actually getting to the quarry? deffo sounds worth a trip up.

Mikelancs

liveforever1982 wrote:

do you mean the trail is bad signed or actually getting to the quarry? deffo sounds worth a trip up.

Both! You won't find it unless you have been before and the signs on the quarry are not the best I've seen.
I'd be happy to meet up and show you one weekend !

1mancity2

By Car from Burnley,

Todmorden road to the lights at cliviger, straight on.
Or Manchester road turn left across from pub (used to be Bull and Butcher) follow road right down to the junction turn left then right.

follow that road right down through weir until you come to a T junction(Bacup centre),

Turn Right, follow this road until you come to Future parks business centre on the left (pub on right),

Turn Left into carpark, the road goes down to a dead end and a raised closed off carpark on your right, Lee quarry is up that track (big fcuking hill) at the top.

Simples....

liveforever1982

sounds easy enough haha i get lost going everywhere so lee quarry will be no different, cheers

sparrowlegs78

Hurstwood Resevoiur (can'r spell res lol) there's a short MTB track up there I've head of, hurstwood village side it is

Caz xxx

sparrowlegs78

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANwpScx9OJc

Caz xx

liveforever1982

hurstwood looks ideal for me from the video on youtube thanks for the link

sparrowlegs78

Welcome, thinking of going over to have a go as well not ridden much lately and confidence is shot.

Caz xx

1mancity2

I will be up there Sunday with my boy again, probably around 3pm ish, only one techy section that may intimidate a beginner, but its good fun (also I improvised and did some off piste jumps)

Mikelancs

Might see you up there then Alistair !
Not sure what I'll be riding yet!, nice to see another fellow rider with the need to get out Caz! Might see you up and around there then.

Russell160

I live in Colne and would really recommend Hurstwood. You can carry on up the fire road onto the moors and then come down with mini jumps over the water things, finishing off with the mini trail, quite a blast, just right for a summer evening after work. But watch out for walkers in the forest I had to pull up a coupla times/ . Personally I would say Lee Quarry is a bit technical to get started on/building confidence. Gisburn Forest is absolute quality, just north of Clitheroe,with a good progression from blue, red and black, whereas Lee Quarry is all red and black and the hill is quite a beast. The great thing about round here is you can just get on to pretty well any bridleway and it will be a gas. Checkout the Mary Towneley loop as well, though it is hard graft.
My best time on the lower (main) loop at Hurstwood is 1m 55secs, interested to know what are other people doing it in?

liveforever1982

**quick update** due to a very busy year,i've not been out on my bike for 12 months now( sob sob). I have got it all ready to go though,so once again will try and start off on the canal.if anyone wants a riding buddy please give me a shout cheers. gaz