Hamsterley Forest ..Friday 4th March '22.

[The Hodge]

Kielder was on the early evening news yesterday .." tens of thousands of trees down " ..Needless to say its closed to the public !
It might still be pushing it to get Hamsterley open on the 11th ..

 

[drewbirks]

As we have 4 willing victims who can make it on the 11th December ( trail being open ) ..then let's do it then ..

5 willing victims if its open

 

[The Hodge]

I've just had a quick look on the Forestry website ..the forest is open but the bike & walking trails are still closed ..could be a different picture next week ..?

 

[The Hodge]

I've just spoken to the F.C..apparently the black/ red route is open ..but the red route itself is closed ie Poultys etc ( so all the best bits ) and is unlikely to open by the weekend .
I'm not on Facebook ..never have been ..but if one of you ( interested) is there are updates on there..
Not looking good especially with Storm Barra due to hit tomorrow ..with yet more high wind to come ..

 

[Whitby Chris]

I've just spoken to the F.C..apparently the black/ red route is open ..but the red route itself is closed ie Poultys etc ( so all the best bits ) and is unlikely to open by the weekend .
I'm not on Facebook ..never have been ..but if one of you ( interested) is there are updates on there..
Not looking good especially with Storm Barra due to hit tomorrow ..with yet more high wind to come ..

I am on the main hamsterley groups so will keep checking, The only thing I like Facebook for is the groups

 

[Tubby G]

I am on the main hamsterley groups so will keep checking, The only thing I like Facebook for is the groups

I keep checking that too. Forest is closed today because of the storm so it’ll be interesting to see if any more trees come down and if it’s actually open at the weekend!

 

[Tubby G]

I've just spoken to the F.C..apparently the black/ red route is open ..but the red route itself is closed ie Poultys etc ( so all the best bits ) and is unlikely to open by the weekend .
I'm not on Facebook ..never have been ..but if one of you ( interested) is there are updates on there..
Not looking good especially with Storm Barra due to hit tomorrow ..with yet more high wind to come ..

People have been riding them but apparently there’s guys dressed up as forest rangers in high vis vests and everything trying to flag people down as they enter the trails and stop them

Obviously they’re thieves in disguise and trying to steal all the expensive emtb’s ! Best to bomb past them as fast as possible with a middle finger salute

 

[steve_sordy]

I ride in the forest a lot and after a storm that has felled trees, there are always loads left that are still falling. Yes, they look safe propped up on the other trees, but they are not. I have taken a chance and ridden under one for weeks and weeks. But then the next time I come, it's down! You can be sure that it didn't slide gracefully to the floor, but went in one almighty crash as the last branch holding it up finally failed. It could have chosen to go when I was underneath it.

There was another one that for months and months was propped up across the off-piste trail I used. I had cut off the lower branches so that I could ride underneath it. I had to bend low over the bars to pass under safely. But one day I snagged my backpack on it and got squashed down into the suspension and couldn't move! Obviously, the tree had continued to fall and the gap eventually had got too small for me. I tried wriggling about, to no avail. I was about to remove my backpack when I had a brainwave! I used my dropper release to drop the saddle and I was free! But all my wriggling about could have brought the tree all the way down. My riding buddies thought it was funny, but I considered it a lucky escape.
And I had to stitch my backpack back together again!

The next time I went that way, I cut a trail around it. The tree later fell and I still use the go-around.

 

[Tubby G]

I ride in the forest a lot and after a storm that has felled trees, there are always loads left that are still falling. Yes, they look safe propped up on the other trees, but they are not. I have taken a chance and ridden under one for weeks and weeks. But then the next time I come, it's down! You can be sure that it didn't slide gracefully to the floor, but went in one almighty crash as the last branch holding it up finally failed. It could have chosen to go when I was underneath it.

There was another one that for months and months was propped up across the off-piste trail I used. I had cut off the lower branches so that I could ride underneath it. I had to bend low over the bars to pass under safely. But one day I snagged my backpack on it and got squashed down into the suspension and couldn't move! Obviously, the tree had continued to fall and the gap eventually had got too small for me. I tried wriggling about, to no avail. I was about to remove my backpack when I had a brainwave! I used my dropper release to drop the saddle and I was free! But all my wriggling about could have brought the tree all the way down. My riding buddies thought it was funny, but I considered it a lucky escape.
And I had to stitch my backpack back together again!

The next time I went that way, I cut a trail around it. The tree later fell and I still use the go-around.

You could have also either built a jump to go over the tree, or dug down to go under, like a little bombhole, and put a ‘duck’ sign on the tree

 

[The Hodge]

You could have also either built a jump to go over the tree, or dug down to go under, like a little bombhole, and put a ‘duck’ sign on the tree

Where's the ducks then guv ..I didn't read anyfink about there being ducks in Steve's story ..

 

[Whitby Chris]

Well the latest from Forestry England is Hamsterley is closed and will remain closed until updates again on the 8th lunch time asking or more say it was telling people to stay away.

 

[Tubby G]

And another update:


Northumberland Forests - severe damage.

Please note all Northumberland Forests along with a number in the borders 7stanes have been badly damaged during storm Arwen.

The damage is widespread and is going to take a long time to clear.

Thrunton Wood is severely affected for example and has many hung up trees which are dangerous to the public.

Kielder Water & Forest Park similar situation but more pockets of trees down all over the largest forest in England and has trees blocking all the waymarked trails.

Forestry England is unable to magic these areas to be open anytime soon. So from the front line I do respectfully ask anyone thinking of heading out to these forests in the weeks to come to please don’t as there are already great pressures on everyone.

Some images below start to give you a flavour and this is all over the Kielder area not just one small area.

Hamsterley is 2000 hectares in area Kielder is 65,000 hectares so we have a lot of work ahead in the coming months.

Like everyone out there our crews deserve a peaceful festive break and not be called out to support emergency services extracting visitors from these dangerous locations at the moment.

Thanks to all of you for the support and let’s make Hamsterley your place to ride on the coming weeks and as soon as we can welcome you back we will for sure.

Kindest wishes to you all
Alex MacLaennan -Forestry England, Recreation Public Affairs Manager - Northumberland.

 

[Whitby Chris]

it's not looking good at this point, does anyone know what state dalby is in ?

 

[Tubby G]

it's not looking good at this point, does anyone know what state dalby is in ?

Dalby red route is clear. It was covered in debris and fallen branches the Sunday after the storm, and also covered in snow, but now it’s all clear again. Trees down all over the forest but the trails are fine

 

[The Hodge]

Alex Mac ..lives just over the road from me ( I know him well ) ..so let's see what update comes out tomorrow ..then I will ask again on Friday.

 

[Tubby G]

Alex Mac ..lives just over the road from me ( I know him well ) ..so let's see what update comes out tomorrow ..then I will ask again on Friday.

I think that was his heartfelt plea to all mtb’ ers to stay the f**k away and let them get on with the job of clearing the forests safely without having to worry about people like us turning up for a few hours of fun & frolics!

 

[The Hodge]

Could have been worse ..that by Alex's standards was short & concise ..
His health & safety briefings prior to a trail building session used to take up half the morning

 

[The Hodge]

Was there another announcement today on the FB page ?
I'm not seeing any closure notice on the website ..

 

[Whitby Chris]

Was there another announcement today on the FB page ?
I'm not seeing any closure notice on the website ..

Looks like the trails are remaining closed although parts are open of the forest.

 

[The Hodge]

Thanks for the info Chris ..
I think it's probably time to accept defeat for this weekend and maybe shelve this until sometime in the New Year ?
Plan B for myself and The EMF is probably going to be a ride in the Cheviot Hills ..well away from any forestry and while everyone would be welcome to join us I'm guessing it's going to be a little too far for you lads & lasses to travel ?
Bloody Arwen ..!!

 

[Tubby G]

Thanks for the info Chris ..
I think it's probably time to accept defeat for this weekend and maybe shelve this until sometime in the New Year ?
Plan B for myself and The EMF is probably going to be a ride in the Cheviot Hills ..well away from any forestry and while everyone would be welcome to join us I'm guessing it's going to be a little too far for you lads & lasses to travel ?
Bloody Arwen ..!!

Yep it would be daft to try and go so we’ll have to admit defeat again! Think we’ll stick to another local ride this weekend, might give Stainburn a go as done Dalby to death recently. Early Jan ride sounds like a plan, or even between Xmas & New Year ?

 

[The Hodge]

I might be struggling a little bit to ride between Christmas & New Year ..I don't bother too much celebrating New Year these days but I'm sure I'm in the minority ..so the first Saturday after that would be the 8th ..how does that sound for everyone ?

 

[Tubby G]

I might be struggling a little bit to ride between Christmas & New Year ..I don't bother too much celebrating New Year these days but I'm sure I'm in the minority ..so the first Saturday after that would be the 8th ..how does that sound for everyone ?

I’ll have to report back to you on that one once I’ve checked with my Social Secretary

 

[The EMF]

The 8th’s good for me

 

[Whitby Chris]

8th "might" be ok or me will have to wait and see as its Mums birthday but fingers crossed . Looks like for me this weekend is either Whitby to get as far as I can and see if I can get anywhere near Scarborough and back, I have been wanting to try that for a while now, or Dalby

 

[Tubby G]

8th "might" be ok or me will have to wait and see as its Mums birthday but fingers crossed . Looks like for me this weekend is either Whitby to get as far as I can and see if I can get anywhere near Scarborough and back, I have been wanting to try that for a while now, or Dalby

The Cleveland Way is rideable. Can be a bit sloppy in places, and there’s a few hike a bike sections down and up steep cliff steps, but other than that it’s ok. Watch out for walkers, it’s not actually a bike path. You could come back to Whitby via the Cindertrack. All in it’s around 45 miles so best done in Eco with the occasional Tour or EMTB boost (assuming a Bosch motor)

 

[Tubby G]

The Cleveland Way is rideable. Can be a bit sloppy in places, and there’s a few hike a bike sections down and up steep cliff steps, but other than that it’s ok. Watch out for walkers, it’s not actually a bike path. You could come back to Whitby via the Cindertrack. All in it’s around 45 miles so best done in Eco with the occasional Tour or EMTB boost (assuming a Bosch motor)

Forgot to say, loads of gates & stiles to lift the bike over too

 

[Whitby Chris]

The Cleveland Way is rideable. Can be a bit sloppy in places, and there’s a few hike a bike sections down and up steep cliff steps, but other than that it’s ok. Watch out for walkers, it’s not actually a bike path. You could come back to Whitby via the Cindertrack. All in it’s around 45 miles so best done in Eco with the occasional Tour or EMTB boost (assuming a Bosch motor)

I dont know the Cleveland way, do you have a map or anything ? cheers

 

[Tubby G]

I dont know the Cleveland way, do you have a map or anything ? cheers

It’s the coastal and moors path that starts at Helmsley, follows the Hambleton Hills north, then east along the Cleveland Hills, then along the coast from Saltburn down to Filey (or even Bridlington). Easily found on OS Maps

 

[Tubby G]

It’s the coastal and moors path that starts at Helmsley, follows the Hambleton Hills north, then east along the Cleveland Hills, then along the coast from Saltburn down to Filey (or even Bridlington). Easily found on OS Maps

Cleveland Way Information - National Trails

www.nationaltrail.co.uk