Lee Quarry MTB Trails - Relevant or Relic?

Lee and Cragg Quarry MTB trails were developed a the very peak of England’s investment in Mountain biking as a sport.
Possibly the last significant new trail development in England and part of an exciting and ambitious plan to create trail centre style marked routes through no less than 4 disused industrial era landscapes all linked together to create an epic 40km XC route.
Finished in 2008 in the run up to the credit crisis and subsequent austerity measures, the link between Lee and Cragg Quarry was completed but the never quite reached its lofty vision of 4 way marked linked and individually rideable quarry trails. It also fell foul to the same apathy gripping many of Englands trail centres, with ZERO further development or even basic maintenance meaning these once awesome riding destinations (Grizedale forests North Face trail comes very much to mind here) have been left to ruin.
So today we rode some (not all) of Lee Quarry swell as a full loop of Crag Quarry and back to see if it still has some appeal tp the modern mountain biker.
Its worth saying that modern geometry bikes, dropper posts, tubeless chunky tyres and 1 x gears make the undulating and rocky nature of this trail much more pleasant than back oil the day when I would have originally rode this trail.
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[@MDF-Music-Production]

Great video, lee and Cragg were one of my first trails ten years ago, i can't wait to take my nephew and teach him the kinda of skills that are often overlooked and these quarry's are perfect for honing skills for life

[@MindfulTrailBiker]

Can’t beat a bit of nostalgia every so often! I’m sure you’ll have a blast! It’s great for learning and sharpening skills Nd much more pleasant on a modern bike! 👍

[@swiftwraith]

Theres a small group of us in talks with the local council about revitalising Lee & Cragg. So far it looks promising, with talks going positively. Currently talking about them supplying us with trail building gear & materials, new signage etc. Also rumours of a trail centre being established.

[@MindfulTrailBiker]

That’s fantastic news! Thanks for getting in touch. It really does deserve it. Please could you keep me in the loop, would like to revisit and report on any developments on that and help raise awareness etc. 👍

[@adriansmtb6900]

id be interested in helping out in this.

[@richardknight1804]

Brings back memories of STW Monday Night Pub Rides and solo blasts after work. I was living in Rochdale at the time so the best bit was normally the blast straight down the moor road back to civilisation. The link track between Lee and Crag was a great addition when it was put in. I always enjoyed Crag more, Lee certainly had great bits but always seemed a bit disjointed. Fond memories though, thanks for taking me back!

[@MindfulTrailBiker]

Thanks for watching and for enjoying! Riding it brought back great memories for me and some painful ones of pre tubeless flats and stomach punches from the seat in pedal position! It’s a much nicer ride on modern bikes and yes Cragg was the best bit for me too. You can find some flow at least! Cheers

[@Lindsey43665]

Hugo giving full main character energy on this one 😂❤❤🐾

[@MindfulTrailBiker]

He’s such a dude! ❤️

[@simonspeak4775]

Another great video ! Not ridden there for a few years so inspired me to give it another go. Keep up the good work guys!!!!

[@MindfulTrailBiker]

Thank you Simon, much appreciated! It’s worth a re-visit on a nice weekend! 🙏

[@garyalexander3281]

Lee Quary looks like a nice mix of rock features and flow along with Crag quarry also looks like a great circuit to ride round. Great to see different parts of England MTB trails excellent videos thanks for sharing! 😁🤙

[@MindfulTrailBiker]

Pleasure Gary! Thanks for watching and the comment. Yes, we had a surprising amount of fun and it helps to know what you’re in for if you visit. Plenty sharp climbs but fun short descent sections along with stuff to play in which we didn’t bother with on this occasion.

[@user-mo6mz3fs7j]

Another great film, thanks guys. Never been up to the quarries but heard a lot about them so thanks for bringing them to us. I wish I’d headed up there in the winter, looks very weather proof! Like you say a different style of riding for us to perhaps re-learn. Still dreaming of dusty trails. ❤

[@MindfulTrailBiker]

Thanks Colin, much appreciated. I have been very critical of various riding spots in the past if they didn’t live up to expectations or didn’t offer the thrill that I’ve been accustomed to with the steeper off-post tracks or super well built up flow trails but I’ve got to stage where i can really appreciate any ride for its merits and I’m grateful for the variety we have! I can recall it being evil if the weathers bad, there’s plenty wind turbines up there for good reason but yes the trial itself has stood up very well with zero maintenance for many years. They don’t make em like they used to 😂

[@CarolynTomlinson]

the quarry trails are improving on a daily basis, thanks to a team of dedicated cyclists - please come and visit, it really is a fabulous place. p.s most of the puddles are now drained too!

[@MindfulTrailBiker]

Thanks for commenting Caroline and please accept my apology for stating that no work has been done for years when you’re clearly doing a great job of keeping it running. I assumed (wrongly) that the trails had just worn well as they were riding fantastically well, thank you and your community for all the hard work you have done. 👍

[@stuartward3947]

Nice work. Its my local and love it. Something for everyone 😊

[@MindfulTrailBiker]

We had a great day, more playing in Lee quarry next time we visit! Many thanks 🙏

[@CarolynTomlinson]

great video! Glad you edited us out with the pick axe and a million dogs :-) nice to see that you enjoyed the trails.

[@MindfulTrailBiker]

Haha, I remember the dogs but you hid them pick axes very well indeed! Really enjoyed it, such a refreshing ride and weather was great too. 👍

[@CarolynTomlinson]

@@MindfulTrailBiker David was removing all the big bitey rocks to make the route a lot smoother and faster. It's looking so much better. Hope to see you up there again soon.

[@MindfulTrailBiker]

@@CarolynTomlinson it’s been such a long time since I’ve been but it did flow very well indeed! Thank you for your hard work!

[@anneslambert3369]

Cool video. Must go back, first time was some yrs ago on ancient Muddy Fox and we missed the Cragg Quarry entrance but had nice bridleway ride and came through quarry on return. Much more clued up now. Did Kinder Circuit today, talk about XC climbing!! Great descents down Roych Clough and down Jacob's Ladder if like me you like bouldery stuff 😂

[@MindfulTrailBiker]

Thank you! 🙏 it’s really worth riding again on a modern bike for sure! Sounds like you had a fun day! 👍

[@Grandadgreyhair]

Not been there for years my first ride around Lee quarry was a winters sunny day with ice puddles on an early scott genius 29er. How I survived I will never know but looks like I should revisit the area great video

[@MindfulTrailBiker]

Ah thanks man, appreciate it. Sounds like a ride you’ll never forget 😂 Modern bikes make it a lot more fun for sure! Especially dropper post and not faffing with front derailleurs 👍

[@Danny_Transition_Patrol]

I was literally talking about Lee Quarry earlier on, and now you’re taking us for a ride around there. Great video as always mate.

[@Danny_Transition_Patrol]

13:06 Hugo’s looks so cute stood there watching mum wondering where she’s off to! Bless.

[@MindfulTrailBiker]

Cheers Dude! Much appreciated! Defo worth a trip if you’ve not been for a bit (or ever) 👍

[@MindfulTrailBiker]

@@Danny_Transition_Patrol haha.. bless him!

[@Danny_Transition_Patrol]

@@MindfulTrailBikerno not been myself, definitely gonna give it a go, but I’ll probably head for the more playful bits! Can’t help it…

[@MindfulTrailBiker]

@Danny_Transition_Patrol stick to Lee quarry, loads of play tracks in that bit! 👍

[@Dalbymtb]

A reason why English MTB trail investment as gone as hills are plagued with dh enduro trails destroying areas leaving bridleway and MTB xc routes no more due to politics of use on in authorised parts. Just look at Winn hill in the ladybower Peak District over 30 plus tracks through the woods destroying the area only 6-7 years ago there was a few which is ok but things are out of control and the forestry commission etc have lost patience with us

[@MindfulTrailBiker]

Agree it’s definitely an issue. Most of the hand built cheeky tracks have appeared in the last 5-10 years since development of MTB in England has ceased. Not saying that this is a cause as such but I think trail centres going forward will likely incorporate off piste style tracks in their offering and I would think they will be much easier and cheaper to build with less machinery and less material needed compared to the grandiose flow often built. Scotland and now wales it appears aren’t having the same issue with the forestryand have way more unofficial tracks than England so again its points to this being an “English” problem.

[@LakesEnduro]

Send it

[@MindfulTrailBiker]

Only small sends for me but they all Count 😂

[@adriansmtb6900]

Best riding that area is Edenfield Woods

[@MindfulTrailBiker]

Awesome, Thank you Adrian! I can see 4 tracks on Trailforks, is the more to be found?

[@adriansmtb6900]

@@MindfulTrailBiker there's about 10 tracks. And more combinations if you know the woods well. It's a 250ft climb to the top via an old road or you can push up in the woods. I do alot of digging and maintenance up there if you want a tour lemme know. 👍🏼

[@MindfulTrailBiker]

@adriansmtb6900 that sounds ace! Yes please tour would be epic. I’ll try and sort a date and see if you’re free.

[@davemtbpowell3965]

Ive been riding up there pretty much since it opened, it gets a lot of motorbikes on there so that doesn't help, but who can blame them? Theres not reqlly anywhere for them to go. Its ok for a blast after work but i probably wouldn't recommend driving any more than an hour to get to it though.

[@MindfulTrailBiker]

Totally get that, I’m sure there’s much better riding in the larger area! That said we enjoyed our mooch and had great weather which helped, it’s pretty bleak in the rain and wind for sure! Probably loads of fun on a crosser! 😂

[@davemtbpowell3965]

There's a pretty good track on the other side leading down to greenbooth reservoir. Let me know if your coming up this way again and I'll show you where it is if you like? Or I can just tell you where it is if you like?

[@MindfulTrailBiker]

@@davemtbpowell3965 Yeah would be good if you could show us around next w=time were venturing that way. I will give you a shout! thank you !

[@CarolynTomlinson]

Cowm quarry is perfect for the motorbikes, but many don't want to pay to visit. that said, the motorbikes don't tend to use the red routes so they're still pretty sound. my other half reckons the motorbikes have actually made some good potential black routes though.

[@adriansmtb6900]

relic, not had anything done to it for years

[@MindfulTrailBiker]

Still rides pretty well though despite the lack of work fortunately, unlike say Grizedale North face trail which has gone to ruin!

[@anneslambert3369]

​@@MindfulTrailBikersome good riding on the bridleways in Grizedale though, I believe they've always been more highly rated than the built trails. I believe there are Enduro style trails on coniston side but not tried them myself.

[@MindfulTrailBiker]

@@anneslambert3369 ​​⁠ Well funnily enough were there this weekend, edit coming next week. The riding is great in that area but the trail centres offer the fun and skills development without the navigational issues ao Its such a shame that this ones gone to waste. I suppose if it wasn’t full to the brim with families walking etc they would possibly do more with it but they p[robabky feel they dont need to. the cafe’s full so they don't need the carrot.

[@CarolynTomlinson]

it's all changing now. There's a fab small team who've taken it upon themselves (with the support of lancs county council) to make lots of improvements. give it another month or two and you'll notice a difference.

[@adriansmtb6900]

@@CarolynTomlinson who is involved? Iv not seen anything of this? Be good to get locals involved from area with experience of building trails and designing stuff!