Crate expectations: one of the possible challenges facing entrants
A mountain rescue team has thrown down the gauntlet to adventurous outdoors fans who fancy finding their way round a forest on foot and on a bike.
Rossendale and Pendle Mountain Rescue Team will repeat its successful Adventure Challenge later this year in Gisburn Forest on the edge of the Forest of Bowland area of outstanding natural beauty.
Proceeds from entrance fees will help the volunteer team’s running costs.
The April event is open to solo entrants and teams of two. The challenge is a mixture of orienteering, running and mountain biking and has to be completed in five hours or less.
There will also be mystery challenges for entrants.
A spokesperson for the team said: “It’s a good challenge for beginners as well as experienced adventure racers.
“Controls are located on paths and tracks of mixed terrain and the event is self-navigational around your chosen route. The emphasis is having a fun day out set at your own pace.”
Entrants will have to visit as many control points as possible in the five hours allowed, by bike, or on foot. A pre-printed Ordnance Survey map will have control points marked and each will have a value.
Extra points can be gained by tackling the mystery challenges, of which two must be attempted.
Entrance fee for the 21 April event is £15 per person until 1 April, when it will rise to £20 each.
More details are on the Rossendale and Pendle MRT website.
The team covers the West Pennines area in Lancashire and Greater Manchester from the Yorkshire border from the River Ribble in the North to the M62 in the South, and east of the M6, and its operating area includes Pendle Hill.
Mike Vandeman
23 January 2012Why is mountain biking included? A mountain bike is no help in rescuing anyone, and is just as likely to injure the rider!
Bicycles should not be allowed in any natural area. They are inanimate objects and have no rights. There is also no right to mountain bike. That was settled in federal court in 1994: http://mjvande.nfshost.com/mtb10.htm . It's dishonest of mountain bikers to say that they don't have access to trails closed to bikes. They have EXACTLY the same access as everyone else -- ON FOOT! Why isn't that good enough for mountain bikers? They are all capable of walking....
A favorite myth of mountain bikers is that mountain biking is no more harmful to wildlife, people, and the environment than hiking, and that science supports that view. Of course, it's not true. To settle the matter once and for all, I read all of the research they cited, and wrote a review of the research on mountain biking impacts (see http://mjvande.nfshost.com/scb7.htm ). I found that of the seven studies they cited, (1) all were written by mountain bikers, and (2) in every case, the authors misinterpreted their own data, in order to come to the conclusion that they favored. They also studiously avoided mentioning another scientific study (Wisdom et al) which did not favor mountain biking, and came to the opposite conclusions.
Those were all experimental studies. Two other studies (by White et al and by Jeff Marion) used a survey design, which is inherently incapable of answering that question (comparing hiking with mountain biking). I only mention them because mountain bikers often cite them, but scientifically, they are worthless.
Mountain biking accelerates erosion, creates V-shaped ruts, kills small animals and plants on and next to the trail, drives wildlife and other trail users out of the area, and, worst of all, teaches kids that the rough treatment of nature is okay (it's NOT!). What's good about THAT?
For more information: http://mjvande.nfshost.com/mtbfaq.htm .
crazylady
23 January 2012Mike.....what is your problem? There is nothing wrong with mountain bikers....they cause less pollution than cars and are good for health, yes along with walking.
Gisburn has trails specifically designed for walkers and cyclists. A day out with my children on our bikes does no harm to anyone, we give way to pedestians...don't want to hurt anyone or ourselves. you sound a bit miserable to me.
Think this is a great challenge.
Might just give it a go.....on my bike :o)
Mackie
24 January 2012Mike,
I find your comments irrelevant and outdated. Many areas in the UK, which I suspect you are not familiar with, now have specific trails set up. These trails generate income for the Forestry Commision who use the money to maintain not only the trails but to the surrounding woodlands. Gisburn Forest actually has some of these trails set up!
As both a walker and mountain biker I feel that both parties can use the designated spaces as we are fully entitled too. In fact, what right do any of us have to use these open spaces?
But either way, the most important thing is that people use the areas responsibly and that money is raised for Rossendale and Pendle MRT. Hopefully you'll make a donation Mike?
Neil P
24 January 2012Mr Vandeman is a notorious anti-MTB agitator in the states. The stuff above is pretty standard 'astro turfing' from him. The best advice is to ignore it and avoid being distracted from the real point of this article.
Best of luck with the fund raising activities guys - the work you do is much appreciated.