Dove Stone Reservoir.
Mountain bikers are being warned to be extra vigilant after a number of traps have been found near Dove Stone Reservoir at Greenfield.
Some of these are near to the plantation at Chew and the reservoir itself. Wires have been tied between trees and obstacles and unsafe rocks placed in the landing areas of jumps.
These traps can cause serious and even lethal injuries. Any information about these deliberate acts should be passed to the police as soon as possible.
I would be amongst the first to condemn this behaviour as downright dangerous it does highlight the growing problem of mountain bikers in the area. I myself bike up there but have stopped using the track through the plantation as its only a footpath and gradually becoming unpleasant to walk on because of the cycle tracks. More destruction is being caused by the number of bikes who descend from Alphin. Surely the Peak Park Authority need to clearly mark or create tracks for cyclists and sign those where cycling is unacceptable.
There can be not even the slightest suggestion of a defence of such actions. To link them with an ongoing debate about how best to preserve areas such that all users of the countryside can enjoy without causing harm is to deflect from the seriousness of the offences being committed. These are mindless acts of potentially life threatening behaviour, nothing can ever warrant them and they should be categorically and unreservedly condemned by walkers, cyclists and all others who enjoy the great outdoors. There is no place for it in a civilised society. There are formal channels for any grievances about usage and nothing can excuse such disregard for human life. I hope that the culprits are caught quickly and dealt with appropriately.
This is a totally different issue to the argument over access rights. Deliberately endangering others is indefensible.
A local biker, who is a World-Class racer, still bears the scars from riding into one of these traps and is lucky not to have lost an eye.
I wonder if the perpetrator realises that all ages of riders use the trails around Saddleworth?
To take this course of action is beyond belief. This has happened before in the Saddleworth area several years ago. Unfortunately there is still a minority who feel mountain bikers are a product of the devil and should not be allowed access to the same countryside as themselves. As previously mentioned, if this group of people have issue with access rights, use of trails etc, the local Park Rangers can take up any complaints. Deliberately attempting to injure, maim or endanger life is no answer.
get the scum who has been doing this and being him to justise i use to ride a bike but run around the area a lot