A CALL TO ARMS

For years the trails in the Calder Valley in West Yorkshire have been enjoyed in relative peace. But as numbers have gone up, opposition has grown, and the fight for rights is very real

- Sim Mainey

The Trailblazers series is a look at the people, places and things that are defining mountain biking in the UK. One recurring theme is where we ride and the people who make it possible. There’s a good reason for that. Trail access is the most important issue in mountain biking today. Without trails and places to ride, the sport simply doesn’t exist. This can’t be taken for granted, it needs people and groups out there fighting the good fight to make sure that we continue to have places to ride. So what happens if your local trails come under threat and you don’t have a group who can step in and help out? As I found out, sometimes you have to do it yourself.

The Calder Valley in West Yorkshire has always had a contrary streak. Its history is one of rebels, outlaws and those who have an alternative outlook on life. From crime syndicates to hippy communes, Calderdale has always been a haven from the norm, which is probably why mountain bikers have fitted in so well. A relaxed attitude towards riders and a post-industrial trail network that covers the moors and valley sides meant mountain bikers were free to explore relatively unbothered.

A healthy if disjointed riding scene developed and with it word (and photos, and videos…) soon got out about the great trails tucked away in the topographical creases only a short distance from Leeds and Manchester. Riders chose to move to the area based on the quality of the riding, and residents started mountain biking. Despite the increase in bikes on the trails, mountain bikers were still seen as outsiders — weirdos throwing themselves down the hills for fun. In an area used to misfits, mountain bikers were part of the scenery.