Mountain Biking Underground

[fi]

A few years ago someone did an awesome AV entitled Swildons to Wookey on a bike! It was effing brilliant. Would love to see that again.

Dan.

Try the Wessex - it was a certain Wessex dwarf.

 

[Peter Burgess]

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.

They would be the Maastricht limestone quarries. Big enough to drive a car into, which, apparently is done.

 

[Colin the Caver]

..and what about kayaking - sure this has been done in the Long Churns...

I keep thinking about taking a dingy into the canal at the end of Birkwith Cave.

 

[SamT]

Try the dinorwyg slate quarries - but on a foggy night, Then just pretend your undergound in MASSIVE cave.

 

[Cave_Troll]

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.

This surely can't be as dangerous as all the open water divers who go to Holme Bank Chert Mine "coz that looks easy"

 

[Peter Burgess]

Who knows? Careering down a mine passage, knocking your head on a timber sticking out, or falling into an open stope sounds pretty dangerous to me.

 

[tubby two]

I've thought of this down a mine before, as i dont really see the problem if its big enough, and you've been down and know whats coming (i.e. holes in the floor), then it's unlikely to cause any damage. It's not like you're likely to go very fast anyway. Nenthead is where i thought of it. You could easily fit in either rampgill or smallcleugh levels and get a few hundred meters of perfectly safe riding in. the huge spoil tips around the valley would also make for some excellent riding although they might be an sssi possibly, and if not pick a time when the visito centre is closed (like winter).

Enjoy.

Oh, and as for it being unescessary to improve caving with added bits of made up sports or whatever someone said.... i agree you dont need it at all down a normal caving trip as it would be bloody difficult, miserable and impractical.... down a suitabe mine however, it would just be a bit of fun and no problem assuming you do no harm (now i'm gonna be lynched by a mine-conservationist...), i guess its for a one off adventure as opposed to becoming a full-time hobby.

tt.

 

[wormster]

(now i'm gonna be lynched by a mine-conservationist...)

CONSIDER YOURSELF LYNCHED TUBBY TWO

 

[rich]

If you're desperate to ride a bike underground, find something man-made. I remember reading online about storm drains big enough to drive around.

E.g.:
http://www.urbanadventure.org/main/drains/uacity/draindrive/draindrive.htm

That one's in Oz though so maybe a bit far

 

[gus horsley]

If you're desperate to ride a bike underground, find something man-made. I remember reading online about storm drains big enough to drive around.

E.g.:
http://www.urbanadventure.org/main/drains/uacity/draindrive/draindrive.htm

That one's in Oz though so maybe a bit far

There's a culvert under Halifax that carries a stream that's big enough to ride through.  It's also 2 miles long, with rotting barges and things.  It might be impenetrably blocked now.

 

[darkplaces]

(now i'm gonna be lynched by a mine-conservationist...)

Not by me. I think what you said sounds reasonable. Its silly for people to out  of hand reject any such idea. The location is the important bit, Swildons, just don't bother. Some Bunker like MF, Spring, Tunnel or long tunnels of any sort, fine. Do a walk though first moving any dangerous things to one side, noting holes, things on the roof or walls you could damage, damage you and have fun. Make a little video, take a few pictures everyone's having fun and NOT BASHING GRANNY'S, after the report that kids mug people for kicks, its not surprising when unless your trained by an expert your not allowed to do anything.

Infact I know an ideal place which has had a bike lowered down a shaft and people have ridden it, sadly even that got vandalized 

 

[grim]

Thanks a lot for the positive replies and links, hopefully there will be more added yet.
Drain diving,nice!
Before anybody suggests riding off road at night down stream beds...
Keep up the good work


I have to say I am a little saddened by the negative attitude of so many replies,Graham managing to stoop to an attempt at bullying! Scarey...
As to the hoop and stick approach, i'm surprised you cave at all, I mean :why?
For others who infer that riding a bike through a cave will damage it is neurotic.Cavers damage caves,always have,always will. Not real cavers I hear you say,not the sort who dig and bang and bolt and alter water levels, who drive and fly and don't follow footpaths to the entrance of every cave or pot in the National Parks: "take nothing but photos,leave nothing but footprints". Low impact: not. Do you think I want to ride my bike through a load of pretties? Do I really have to say out loud "I will try not to damage anything" because you assume I don't care and that is what will happen,after all, i'm just a child, and you my responsible parent/carer.
I wonder why you have postings on the decline in young cavers, could it be that your no fun?
I have not been caving for 20 years(thats low impact), just fancied a bit of fun,thats all.

Just for you Graham I say "fucked your wife up the arse whilst you were out last sunday,going to do it to you this sunday!" Scared tough guy?

 

[Rob]

Hi Grim,

I'm sorry that your first post on this site has brought out a lot of "grim" comments. Please don't take it personally, it's just that people get a bit touchy at times, especially when new people come on because we've got no idea of your motives, you could be anybody!

As for your response, i'm not so sure...  :-\

 

[grim]

I am anybody and aren't offended at all.
My motive is in the posting.
Hope I haven't offended anybody-no offence Graham xxx(besides your wife we have the same forename in common).
Keep on coming

 

[graham]

Thanks a lot for the positive replies and links, hopefully there will be more added yet.
Drain diving,nice!
Before anybody suggests riding off road at night down stream beds...
Keep up the good work


I have to say I am a little saddened by the negative attitude of so many replies,Graham managing to stoop to an attempt at bullying! Scarey...
As to the hoop and stick approach, i'm surprised you cave at all, I mean :why?
For others who infer that riding a bike through a cave will damage it is neurotic.Cavers damage caves,always have,always will. Not real cavers I hear you say,not the sort who dig and bang and bolt and alter water levels, who drive and fly and don't follow footpaths to the entrance of every cave or pot in the National Parks: "take nothing but photos,leave nothing but footprints". Low impact: not. Do you think I want to ride my bike through a load of pretties? Do I really have to say out loud "I will try not to damage anything" because you assume I don't care and that is what will happen,after all, i'm just a child, and you my responsible parent/carer.
I wonder why you have postings on the decline in young cavers, could it be that your no fun?
I have not been caving for 20 years(thats low impact), just fancied a bit of fun,thats all.

Just for you Graham I say "fucked your wife up the arse whilst you were out last sunday,going to do it to you this sunday!" Scared tough guy?

:

 

[cap n chris]

This is a spoof thread, right?

 

[Hughie]

Hiya grim. What a bizarre idea!

However, don't let the negative posters put you off. It's my belief that caves are there to be enjoyed, in a responsible way, by all those who wish to do so. I wouldn't have thought a bicyle would do any more damage to a cave than a normal kit carrying caving trip would do.

Is a bicycle going to disturb bats more than catching and tagging does? I wouldn't imagine so.
Are the rubber tyres and bar grips going to do more environmental damage than cavers boots, srt gear and grubby paws? Hmmm.
Surely cave digging is way more damaging - use of picks, bars, hammers, hilti's, Dr Nobels Rock Dispatcher?
Our great caving organisation encouraging hordes of novices to invade our underground realm?

The only thing I would suggest is you research & choose your location carefully, and have due care & respect for it whilst you're pedalling around.

It's quite refreshing to hear of somebody doing something different, even if it's not entirely unique.

Grim - you're deranged - go for it! 

 

[whitelackington]

Please don't forget to write to Ingleborough Estate Office for a permit.

Good point.. And on that - don't be thinking you could ride up there as its a footpath and not a bridleway.

ERM a bridleway doesn't entitle you to ride wheels down it you're supposed to have lots of legs (ie 4)

I am sure you are wrong, bikes can go where horses can unless it is particularly written that you must not cycle.
Also, many routes these days have been reassigned for walkers/cyclists.

 

[Pitlamp]

I'm with the good Captain, this IS a spoof isn't it?

Just referring back to a comment much higher up; when I posted my thoughts I did actually remember the ironing board stunt.  Many cavers at the time thought it was rather pathetic and not even worth commenting on.  Anyway, ironing shirts is such a miserable waste of time - why spoil a caving trip doing it?! 

Grim - please try to avoid being vulgar; it doesn't convince anyone of anything.  This is a good forum, so please don't demean it.

 

[zomjon]

Pitlamp, whilst I agree that Grim's comments were demeaning, it is a shame that Graham chose to use such threatening & unhelpful language initially. It did kind of sour what has been at times a thoroughly entertaining thread. I find I go along with DP & Huge, that Grim should identify a 'safe-ish' mine passage and go for it. I used to always enjoy cycling through the Netherton Canal Tunnel (longest UK Canal Tunnel) in Dudley -muddy, uneven, tight, lots of potholes and always the thought of an early bath!