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Author Topic: Cyclists adding to erosion of Mournes  (Read 3131 times)

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Cyclists adding to erosion of Mournes
« on: September 09, 2015 »

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RESPONSIBLE mountain biking is needed to avoid further erosion of the Mournes, it has been warned.
The comment by the Mourne Heritage Trust, tasked with preserving the area, was made after concern was raised over the number of mountain bikers taking to the Mournes by a reader of this newspaper.
Mountain biking is now a major sport and cycling through the Mournes is gaining popularity with several competitions held in the area every year.
Next month around 400 mountain bikers are expected at a Redbull Foxhunt in the central Mournes and across other mountain and multi-terrain sections in Rostrevor.
An environmentalist contacted The Outlook after noticing a trailer, described as being "big enough to fit a car", unloading around a dozen mountain bikes last Wednesday (2 September).
The man agreed that while a lot of erosion may have been caused by walkers over the years, bikes can do more damage.
“The erosion is already happening in the Mournes and if these bikes are constantly going on the mountains then it will only add to the problem," he said.
Martin Bushby, countryside services manager with the Mourne Heritage Trust, acknowledged an increased demand for mountain biking in recent years.
Parts of the high Mournes has been used for mountain biking for some years, however Mr Bushby said there is "no formal right of access for this activity in either the publicly owned or trustee (private shared grazing) lands that make up most of the mountain area".
“Indeed, this is the case for other outdoor recreational activity - most access being 'de facto,' it happens, but is not officially sanctioned. However, walking is permitted in the NI Water catchment and on the Mourne Way and on a public right of way to Hare's Gap from Trassey.
“It was in response to the evident demand for mountain biking, as well as to boost tourism, that the extensive mountain bike trail centres at Castlewellan and Rostrevor Forests were developed by district councils and Outdoor Recreation NI.
“The trails are now maintained, on behalf of Newry, Mourne and Down Council, by Mourne Heritage Trust and their use is promoted by Outdoor Recreation NI.
“However, there continues to be a demand for mountain biking in the high mountains and for long distance 'journey' cycling, and this has been acknowledged in the Mourne Outdoor Recreation Action Plan (ORNI for Sport NI 2014), and in the Mountain Bike Strategy for NI (ORNI 2014). This includes routes that could link the above trail centres, and use of lower level green ways as well as upland sites.
“The formalisation of such routes in the Mournes has been identified as a medium to long-term aspiration given the landowner issues here, as opposed to other locations such as in Fermanagh and the Causeway Coast where there is an aspiration in the short to medium term," said Mr Bushby, who said that it is only through responsible use that the issue of erosion can be slowed down.
“As with all outdoor activity, if carried out sustainably and with consideration to other users it can have limited adverse impact, but if done in any great numbers or in the wet and on soft ground, possibly causing damage to sensitive habitats and species and accelerating erosion, it is clearly not sustainable.
“Moreover, farmers have occasionally reported concerns about livestock being disturbed by groups of cyclists, sometimes with dogs, on upland areas.
“Although, the issue of uncontrolled dogs disturbing livestock is relevant to walkers too. Again, responsible use is the key."
Sport NI has issued a guidance leaflet for mountain biking to educate and encourage responsible use and this has been circulated to governing bodies and at mountain bike hubs.

http://www.outlooknews.co.uk/articles/news/48361
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