Comments on: Chapel Gate (Pre-2011)

By: Paul

Paul — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 09:55:08 +0000

One of the reasons that this resurface work is going on is because a lot of the trails that we ride on can also be legally driven on with either a 4×4 or trails bike. It is upto the local authority to ensure that these routes remain passable as from a legal point of view – they are roads albeit not very good ones.
There is a lot of this surface work ongoing. As above it will eventually wear down to a more rocky state.
You can keep upto date with whats happening with lanes and what work is ongoing from links in here http://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/looking-after/vehicles

By: Annabelle

Annabelle — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 16:22:22 +0000

I have been riding this route for some years now, both as a horse rider, walker and a mountain biker. There’s no question in my mind about how it compares to what it used to be. At last somebody has had the guts to sort this route out, which was getting increasingly dangerous and unenjoyable for all but the most hardcore bikers. Yes we all like a bit of danger but it was getting ridiculous.

Anyone who knows anything about resurfacing of routes will know that they are ugly at first and will weather and erode over time, making them more interesting and visually acceptable. There are routes we enjoy that offer a great ride because they’re gnarly but you have to admit – Chapel Gate was rather extreme!

Whilst on the subject of route ‘improvements’, the route from Mam Nick to Greenlands was worked on by Ride the Peak and it is brilliant – the number of mountain bikers has increased hugely on that route as it is better (I know as I ride it every weekend)so when is it acceptable to level out a route and when is it not? The fact is that different people want different things and the Peak District can accomodate this. But Chapel Gate was getting ridiculous and it was only going to erode even more – to think otherwise would be naive. So I’m all in support of the work and whilst it might not be so gnarly, you can get some great speed up!

By: Hugh Barton

Hugh Barton — Tue, 24 May 2011 14:41:23 +0000

Danny, that's unlucky. As an alternative from Edale valley floor, try going up to Hollins Cross, then round the back of Mam Tor and pick up on Rupshup Edge which brings you to the top of Chapel Gate (more of less). Good luck. @ Danny Hemmings:

By: Chapel Gate | RideSheffield

Chapel Gate | RideSheffield — Tue, 24 May 2011 09:04:04 +0000

[…] Chapel Gate track in Edale has been resurfaced and turned into a smooth motorway. The long and very rocky track was previously […]

By: Danny Hemmings

Danny Hemmings — Mon, 23 May 2011 19:43:20 +0000

Can’t believe the timing – I’d only ridden Chapel Gate once when I’d only been riding about 8 months. I have a ride planned for this Friday when I was going to go back after 5 years to ‘take it to’ this trail. I’d planned to ride the Jacobs Ladder route anticlockwise to be able to do it – doh!

Don’t worry too much – at least in the Peaks you have got some good legal stuff at all. Where I live (Loughborough), you have to be seriously cheeky to ride anything that’s remotely challenging. With any luck, some of these namby-pamby, nanny-state public finance sponges will lose a lot of their funding over the next few years and just leave things be. They have already ruined Rushup Edge as a climbing challenge as well (I assume the same people).

By: Jeff R King

Jeff R King — Sun, 22 May 2011 18:47:20 +0000

Yeah, it's a shame and a great loss. The only real consolation is that the rocky track itself hasn't been destroyed, only covered over. Give enough time it should show through again. For those who haven't seen it we've put up some pictures of it's current state.

By: Monkeyspoon.com | Chapel Gate Maintenance 2011 – Pictures

Monkeyspoon.com | Chapel Gate Maintenance 2011 – Pictures — Sun, 22 May 2011 18:40:38 +0000

[…] Chapel Gate track in Edale has been resurfaced and turned into a smooth motorway. The long and very rocky track was previously […]

By: SCARFACE

SCARFACE — Sat, 21 May 2011 20:25:39 +0000

How could they do this to our beloved Chapel Gate? We considered Chapel Gate the best downhill in the Peak District and Edale arguably the best course. However, now it is hardly worth riding. I have been out for almost a year now after breaking my face down Chapel Gate. Following a number of operations, plates, screws and god knows what else in my face, not to mention a long rehabilitation I was finally ready to ride Chapel Gate again only to be confronted by the monstrosity that the Peak Park has created. I could have cried. I felt completely cheated out of my chance to conquer Chapel Gate again.
The people who make these terrible decisions obviously have no idea or connection with the countryside and those responsible for this rural vandalism have no understanding of the challenges the countryside should offer. Any mountain biker who claimed Chapel Gate was unridable should either get better or head straight for a trail centre, and any walker claiming it was un walkable should naff off back to the town or city they came from as they’re clearly not local to the area.
What’s next on their list, The Beast, Jacob’s Ladder? If the Peak Park had their way it won’t be long before we have hand rails, wheel chair access and the compulsory wearing of high vis vests for all who braves the ‘wilds’ of the Peak District. I can physically feel the Peak District getting smaller and safer around me. Is this the beginning of the end for our local play ground?
CHAPEL GATE R.I.P.

By: Hugh B

Hugh B — Mon, 16 May 2011 15:10:39 +0000

So, Chapel Gate has been re-surfaced as part of the Peak Park experiment. It no longer looks like the fun photos above 🙁

Descending, the track remains steep but is now smooth and loose, with 3 or 4 culverts to jump over. Ascending, well at least I can now ride it (previously it was beyond me).

Unfortunately, the re-surfacing doesn’t achieve Peak Park’s objective for ‘conserving the natural beauty’ as those who have looked from Edale and seen the wide stripe up the side of the hillside will testify. I guess a bit more rainfall will help return it to its natural state.

I hope the Peak Park experiment isn’t going to be repeated in too many more places. Chapel Gate was always navigable, and if walkers can’t cope with uneven surfaces, perhaps they should stay on the valley floor ?

By: Jeff R King

Jeff R King — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 16:58:28 +0000

The Peak Park are currently consulting on a proposal to ban 4x4s and motor bikes from Chapel Gate for a year and a half as an experiment. http://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/chapelgate http://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/index/news/news-display-page.htm?id=23743