A rider on Cut Gate, the Peak District bridleway

Mountain bikers in the Peak District are seeking views on one of the national park’s most popular routes.

Cut Gate runs between the upper Derwent Valley and Langsett Reservoir in the North-East of the area.

It is a popular route for riders and walkers but has boggy sections which have led to users diverting around and causing further erosion. The track and path run across a site of special scientific interest.

Biking groups are seeking views on how to deal with the route and its problems.

Ride Sheffield and Peak District MTB have published a booklet asking for peoples’ thoughts on Cut Gate.

A spokesperson for the groups said: “Cut Gate path is regarded as one of the best tracks in the UK for mountain biking, often featuring in top five listings.

“However, recently sections of the path have widened as walkers, riders and horse riders avoid regularly flooded sections, affecting surrounding sensitive moorland.”

Jon Dallow, Sheffield City Council woodlands officer said: “Cut Gate is slap bang in the middle of a site of special scientific interest. We want to start a conversation about the continued conservation of 8,000 years of moorland life.

“There have been some great examples of best practice in upland path management in the area with great work done by Moors for the Future. This recognises the responsibility all of us have in respecting the age and importance of the landscape.”

Henry Norman, chair of Ride Sheffield, said: “Cut Gate path is a firm favourite for mountain bikers.

“We love riding here and care deeply about the area. It’s clear we all need to think about how we ride or walk up there. This is our conversation starter.

“Working closely with Peak District MTB we’ve been able to suggest what could be done to look after the path while still supporting its use. We need to hear from people now.”

A boggy section of Cut Gate

The mountain bike groups, supported by the Peak District national park, Sheffield City Council, The Outdoor City, Keeper of the Peak and with support from 18 Bikes and Bike Garage, have shared Cut Gate Path: Collaboration, Consideration, Conservation, Action? a leaflet produced to debate the future of Cut Gate among the various groups who use it.

Possible solutions to the problem include voluntary restraint on use when the path is at its wettest, repairs and stone laying.

Chair of Peak District MTB, Andrew Burdett said: “If a single tyre track is the thing people see in the mud, that entire muddy patch becomes the fault of mountain bikers, regardless of the other groups that have been there.

“The idea of the booklet is to kick off conversations with all the bridleways user groups and establish what can we do together to make it better for everyone.”

More details, including the downloadable booklet, are on the Ride Sheffield site, Peak District MTB and Keeper of the Peak.