Pitlamp
Well-known member
For Grim; please, please don't take what I'm about to say wrong - but it's something you should maybe ponder on.
Presuming you are a caver already, is there really any need to start inventing such "contrived adventure"? Caving is an utterly fascinating activity in its own right. Rather than doing what you're thinking of, maybe you should take up a more specialised interest within caving itself, if standard caving trips aren't absorbing enough? There's so much to do. You could start by looking at the BCRA's Special Interest Groups for inspiration. Or take up aven climbing, if you want some real spice. Or any one of hundreds of other caving specialisms. Dare I even suggest taking an interest in cave conservation? (It might help put ideas of mountain biking down caves into better perspective.)
Incidentally I know at least one person who has mountain biked in GG Main Chamber as early as the 1980s; it's not a new idea.
My advice is - get deeper into caving itself. You'll get so much more from it.
Presuming you are a caver already, is there really any need to start inventing such "contrived adventure"? Caving is an utterly fascinating activity in its own right. Rather than doing what you're thinking of, maybe you should take up a more specialised interest within caving itself, if standard caving trips aren't absorbing enough? There's so much to do. You could start by looking at the BCRA's Special Interest Groups for inspiration. Or take up aven climbing, if you want some real spice. Or any one of hundreds of other caving specialisms. Dare I even suggest taking an interest in cave conservation? (It might help put ideas of mountain biking down caves into better perspective.)
Incidentally I know at least one person who has mountain biked in GG Main Chamber as early as the 1980s; it's not a new idea.
My advice is - get deeper into caving itself. You'll get so much more from it.
SamT
Moderator
Wise words pit lamp.
Have to say that I agree with you. Is there really any need. I cant think of a single 'natural' cave that would have any sections of passage worth biking down. Let alone the hassle of getting you bike to the one 50 yard stretch where you can.
However - if your hell bent on it - something like the Croesor Rhosyth slate mines would probably be most suited. Try straight lining some of the inclines.
(footnote - I have mountain biked through an underground water culvert that runs from the Edale Valley though to ladybower reservior though, added a bit of interest (and a quick short cut home) to the usual routes round there).
Have to say that I agree with you. Is there really any need. I cant think of a single 'natural' cave that would have any sections of passage worth biking down. Let alone the hassle of getting you bike to the one 50 yard stretch where you can.
However - if your hell bent on it - something like the Croesor Rhosyth slate mines would probably be most suited. Try straight lining some of the inclines.
(footnote - I have mountain biked through an underground water culvert that runs from the Edale Valley though to ladybower reservior though, added a bit of interest (and a quick short cut home) to the usual routes round there).
Peter Burgess
New member
I also think taking a bike underground is a pretty silly idea. I recall a few years ago there were reports of something similar going on in a Cornish mine - which was severely frowned upon at the time.
As far as I am concerned, it's about as sensible as taking your bike to the local swimming pool to do 20 lengths underwater.
As far as I am concerned, it's about as sensible as taking your bike to the local swimming pool to do 20 lengths underwater.
I've taken a bike through a completely unlit and out of use road tunnel in France - great fun going from bright summer daylight, over the gravel banking to keep the cars out then into the dark. Without a light, and with the tunnel being several hundred metres long, it was a remarkably interesting experience, especially in the middle where bits of the roof had come in and the chances of avoiding the bits of half-brick sized debris without being able to see them were rather on the slim side!
racingsnake
New member
This thread in 5 words
Dont be so fucking stupid :chair:
Dont be so fucking stupid :chair:
AndyF
New member
Peter Burgess said:
By whom.... I seem to remember it being written up in a caving publication, can't remember which....
I don't think cave biking would be practical, but mine biking somewhere like County Adit then can't see the issue....
Didn't hear complaints about "Extreme Ironing" in a certian peak district cave...... a similar genre of activity just for the hell of it.....
Peter Burgess
New member
I think the feeling at the time was that cavers going mountain biking was an activity by those who at least understood the risks, but that if it encouraged non-caving bikers to have a go, there was a severe risk of an accident.
The story was run in a biking magazine, I think.
Anyone turning up underground in Surrey with a bike is likely to get their forks bent.
(not that there's anywhere they could ride anyway.)
The story was run in a biking magazine, I think.
Anyone turning up underground in Surrey with a bike is likely to get their forks bent.
(not that there's anywhere they could ride anyway.)
gus horsley
New member
I'd suggest mountain bike climbing as an alternative than titting around in caves or mines. Try an unroped attempt on Cenotaph Corner for starters. That should get the adrenaline going.
Cave_Troll
Active member
so whats wrong with biking in a cave?
I've heard people moaning about how the cave should be challenge enough, why are you contriving adventure etc
well what someone else gets up to down a cave is of no concern of mine as long as there is no damage to the cave. riding down the main streamway of peak cavern is going to cause less damage than a winter flood.
some people go caving, others contrive more adventure like photography, cave diving, "extreme ironing" and even having sex.
whats the problem?
I've heard people moaning about how the cave should be challenge enough, why are you contriving adventure etc
well what someone else gets up to down a cave is of no concern of mine as long as there is no damage to the cave. riding down the main streamway of peak cavern is going to cause less damage than a winter flood.
some people go caving, others contrive more adventure like photography, cave diving, "extreme ironing" and even having sex.
whats the problem?
Peter Burgess
New member
Cave_troll - you are absolutely right. Anyone fancy joining me on the first pogo-stick trip to Swildons sump 1 and back?
Peter Burgess
New member
Or even better - the first Porth yr Ogof through trip on a surf board.
racingsnake
New member
Peter Burgess said:
Love to peter, but busy on a hoop and stick trip to Meregill
gus horsley
New member
Peter Burgess said:
I'd like to join you too but I've got a blindfold rollerskating pulled by trained herring gulls trip planned for County Adit.
Peter Burgess
New member
I'd suggest going through Sump one with a bag over my head and a hose pipe stuck in my mouth, but apparently it's been done before.
I'm pretty sure I remember reading a couple of years ago about a commercial operation that runs underground biking tours in some old mines in, I think Limberg, Holland. Strangely they used dynamo lights.
<not> So who knows perhaps someone could patent the idea as a sport and make a fortune when the Outdoor Centres jump on the band wagon <\not>
<not> So who knows perhaps someone could patent the idea as a sport and make a fortune when the Outdoor Centres jump on the band wagon <\not>
