Mountain Biking Underground

[Peter Burgess]

Well, now we've established that biking underground is actually sort of OK, I'm thinking of reversing the idea, and taking my bike into town, wearing my old caving wetsuit, helmet, lamp and full SRT kit tomorrow. Could be fun. Any one see any problems? Any advice? Would this be frowned on? I'll get me coat. :-[

 

[graham]

Graham - are you taking the p*ss as usual .... Bats Dig in GB cave which I sure is  done by UBSS hence "YOU" leaving stuff behind !!! Lets see what smart status quo remark you come up with this time

Still an active dig, that one. As far as the rest of G.B. is concerned, I have spent very many hours in there cleaning stal, re-taping and various other similar activities. Have you?

 

[graham]

Graham,let me apologise for the personal remark, i'm very sorry and feel foolish.I extend that apology to anybody else who found it offensive.

No problem.

 

[truescrumpy]

yawn yawn, yes i do pick up rubbish as a matter of fact, but interesting an "Active dig" means actually doing something ! not as a title. The amount of times I been there in Bats dig to check and its appears to be in "static"

 

[Peter Burgess]

The remains of a kiddies tricycle have been rotting away in an old mine at Godstone for some 50 or 60 years. We are still looking for the rider.

Come on, guys, lighten up a bit.

 

[wormster]

The remains of a kiddies tricycle have been rotting away in an old mine at Godstone for some 50 or 60 years. We are still looking for the rider.

Come on, guys, lighten up a bit.

there's a kiddes rike in cliftworks if you know where to look.

 

[Mad Dog]

I don't think cave rescue will be ecstatic to rescue some joker who broke his leg or arm in a cave falling off a bike, and then having to remove the bike.

 

[darkplaces]

I don't think cave rescue will be ecstatic to rescue some joker who broke his leg or arm in a cave falling off a bike, and then having to remove the bike.

....and that's different to some joker who thought he/she could freeclimb something and fell off?

(Addition: or mountain rescue helping a biker off a hill, do mountain rescue shun non-walkers? What about people who ski?)

Context please - If your riding underground in a place that looks reasonable to ride in its not an issue (they could even use the bike to haul the body out on! If your trying to freeclimb something stupid that's not reasonable.

 

[whitelackington]

Hmm explode rocks -v- splash some mud on rocks Hmmm which is more damaging..

These days diggers clean up after themselves. Wonder whether mountain bikers do?

I know people who take dogs caving.
I hope they clean up after them :yucky:

 

[Mad Dog]

I don't think cave rescue will be ecstatic to rescue some joker who broke his leg or arm in a cave falling off a bike, and then having to remove the bike.

....and that's different to some joker who thought he/she could freeclimb something and fell off?

(Addition: or mountain rescue helping a biker off a hill, do mountain rescue shun non-walkers? What about people who ski?)

Context please - If your riding underground in a place that looks reasonable to ride in its not an issue (they could even use the bike to haul the body out on! If your trying to freeclimb something stupid that's not reasonable.

Doctors remove things people have inserted up their arse, ambulances pick up people who play on motorways. I'm not saying the idiotic shouldn't be rescued. Although I'm suprised you say they should as well http://ukcaving.com/board/index.php/topic,2865.msg32870.html#msg32870. Its just that it is good to reduce the risk. Cave rescue is not a trivial matter, unlike a mountain you cannot get a 4x4 or helicopter to rescue you (although, i know it isn't always this straightforward on mountains either). All I am saying to Grim: think of the people who may have the difficult task if you have put yourself in a possibly unsafe situation.

 

[kay]

..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.

There's sometimes an inflatable waiting there, just needs inflating.

 

[racingsnake]

Well, now we've established that biking underground is actually sort of OK, I'm thinking of reversing the idea, and taking my bike into town, wearing my old caving wetsuit, helmet, lamp and full SRT kit tomorrow. Could be fun. Any one see any problems? Any advice? Would this be frowned on? I'll get me coat. :-[

Funny you should say that Peter cos it reminded me of something similar I saw years ago in Merlins mine in stoney middleton derbyshire. I came across a bloke in the entrance wearing a brand new SRT rig but carrying no rope  Which amazed me in any case since you can do it on virtually no kit at all. Another case of a new kit freak

 

[tubby two]

When i first got an srt kit i used to put it on just to wear round the house because it was shiny and nice and new. I't wasn't vital for getting up and down stairs but i sure enjoyed it.
tt.

 

[cap n chris]

Blimey, what a brave confession. Shiny new caving kit always reminds me of people stamping on new shoes at school.

 

[tubby two]

I'm a brave man, what can i say. I once climbed the kitchen table in it too. Maybe this should be in the 'dodgiest moment' thread when the step ladder up to the loft made a creaking noise, i had to take off my descender to reduce weight then call cave rescue....

tt.

 

[mudlover]

well, in france they seem to drive jeeps down caves... http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=-8052844857225226760

That HAS to cause damage, surely? :-\

 

[cap n chris]

It's a mine.

 

[Roger W]

Interesting thread, but what do you actually want to do, Grim?

Do you just want to ride a bike underground, and thought your mountain bike would be a better bet than your time trial machine?

Or do you really fancy doing some clever riding-over-boulder-heaps-and-along-river-bed stuff, but down a cave?

In the latter case, I think the Water Cave at Yangshuo would suit you fine.  There's some good up-and-downhill stuff there and I rather think the management would let you ride all over the place if you gave them enough cash...

 

[grim]

The general idea is to find something technicaly interesting to ride over. I already nightride streams etc. A cave would be the next logical step...just another twist.I don't intend to make a habit of it,just want to do it!
"I think the Water Cave at Yangshuo would suit you fine"...sounds foreign to me,thanks for the help!

 

[LoneRanger]

I'm a bit unsure about this underground biking idea. I might damage my bike.