I'm pretty sure they're not allowed to be there, but there's nobody there to stop them. I couldn't work out if it was annoying me they were there or not - sure, they shouldn't be there, roaring around while people are cycling and walking, and they're screwing up the place, but given that i don't think anyone looks after the trails anymore, then I guess it's better they're there than on the roads?!?
It's a pretty run down trail centre with no payment, bogs, cafe or even official car-park (cars use Rossendale Borough Council's car park, or just abandon them in a lay-by behind the council building, where travellers occasionally put up caravans), so there's no income and nobody checking/stopping people coming in the main entrance. To make matters worse, the far side of Lee Quarry is a connecting track to Cragg Quarry which is a green lane, so MotoX bikes are allowed on there (but, i think they still need to be road legal, which I doubt any of these were), so even if someone was posted at the main entrance at the bottom there's no stopping bikes entering from that green lane. Last time I went over to Cragg quarry there were 2 shells of burn out cars that had been abandoned there, with car tyre treads around the quarry looking like the thieves were trying to replicate Dukes of Hazards and rock-climb up the steep faces...
The place itself is pretty run down. At a guess, I've only been about 6-10 times in the last 5 or so years, and I think it's just getting worse and worse with time. I guess it's lack of cash combined with mtb'ers lack of interest in the place (no cafe, car park or bogs might annoy ppl), so I'm yet to see anyone do any work to the place. It's rocks held together with soil, and with the nature of Manchester weather, that soil just gets washed away, so it's now just a load of loose rocks and sharp edges in places. But, now the ok bits and pump tracks are getting rutted with motox bikes. It's a shame, as people have spent a lot of time and effort setting it up. I dunno if they're moved to Havok Bike Park around the corner, which I've not been to, possibly as it looks v mental.
I know I'm knocking the place, mainly 'cos it's run down, but it's worth at least 1 visit if you're nearby. Tbh, I don't think I'd bother going around Cragg Quarry, but it's worth going all the way up to Rooley Moor Rd (the green lane), as the decent back to Lee Quarry is fun, with little angled stones along it, as jumps.
streetview of the top of this climb, on the green lane
and one of the burnt out cars is even at Cragg Quarry streetview
Either drop the post into the frame a tad more or raise it fully and drop slightly whilst riding.
