Video: Exploring an abandoned mine on a motorbike

Just last week, we were lamenting the dwindling number of green-lane riding opportunities. Here’s a possible alternative: moto-spelunking.

YouTuber Midwest MX seems to be at the forefront of the sport, recently taking a Stark Varg electric motocross bike down an abandoned mine.

I’m not entirely sure where he’s based, but the area he’s riding before getting to the mine looks very much like a part of Wales that I used to hike around. But perhaps it’s the case that if you’ve seen one abandoned industrial area, you've seen them all.

Certainly I’m aware of some abandoned mines, but I’ve never thought about exploring them even on foot.

“What am I doing?!” Midwest MX asks himself early on in his exploration.

Indeed. Of course, it’s worth noting that helmet cams famously make a space seem smaller than it is, and it wouldn’t be particularly interesting YouTube content if the rider were nonchalant about the whole thing.

That’s not to say the danger is wholly manufactured. Mines have never been known as health and safety paragons. Wandering unaccompanied through tunnels carved out decades or even a century ago is the sort of thing that can often end with your family members learning whether your life insurance policy was any good.

Abandoned mines are at higher risk of cave-in than a natural cave, especially if they’ve not been maintained for several years or decades. Additionally, you face the risk of bad air, getting trapped in water, or falling down an unseen shaft.

You might also run into two random dudes in the pitch dark, which is exactly what happens to Midwest MX in this video.

Of course, the big question is: how does he get OUT of such a tight space after having ridden in? You’ll have to watch the video to find out.

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