Should we advertise green lanes?

[Richard Simpson]

The biggest problem on the lanes are the large groups of people who don't know where they are going...led by someone who thinks he knows where he is going....and all riding too loud...too fast...too close together.

If I ever take a group of people out I always say: "If I'm riding too fast for you, please say and I'll be happy to slow down. If I'm riding too slow for you, please say and I'll end the ride."

Should we publicise routes in magazines?

I'd rather explain to people about the law, maps and how to find out if a route is legal and get them into finding the adventures on their doorsteps than suggest they ride 200 miles do a lane and come home. All a bit Chewign and farley if you ask me.

Some of the road bike mags with their list of things to do, roads to ride etc are a bit insulting really. Don't they credit their readers with any intelligence or imagination.

[Willy_Eckerslike]

It's also naive to say "just buy a map, they're all on there". The OS maps are VERY outdated when it comes to BOATS, UCRs etc and many are no longer legal. To blindly follow a map is asking for a Section 59 notice and a load of bad PR.

Yes, the OS maps are not always up to date but when you get to a lane it is usually blindingly obvious if it is legal or not. If it's not legal there will probably be a gate or other obstruction, a TRO notice or a road sign preventing vehicular access or more usually a footpath or bridleway sign. It's just common sense and making out that it's in any way difficult, technically or legally, is just going to stop people from having a go for themselves.

[Mike54]

I didn't suggest it was difficult. Far from it. But I don't agree with "just turn up and it's blindingly obvious". In the Lakes for example its very easy to go wrong and end up on the wrong track, and there are numerous lanes which have TROs which are not marked with signage.

What I used to do whilst getting to know them is just email the relevant ranger and say please could you confirm that the route which starts at grid ref A and ends at Grid ref B is ok etc. Once you get into a rapport with them I've found them to be really helpful, and sometimes they ask for a report on a route if they haven't been there themselves for a while.

Best thing anyone can do - go with someone who knows exactly where to go.

[beddowsm]

but one of the major causes of problems is 'mass' rides on the lanes, just look at the 'advertised' ride outs and camping weekends organised from time to time.

Just want to point out that we always try and limit numbers to a max of 6 on rideouts, or if this is not possible due to lack of ride leaders then we always split into smaller groups 5-10 mins apart on the higher impact trails, eg Monsal, Roych or anywhere that has a 6 bike group limit.

[Mad Cow]

And just to prove the point about the danger of articles going out of date...

The Long Causeway at Stanage Edge (Edition 9) was closed on 1st May for three months for the repair of a collapsed culvert :unsure:

http://www.adventurebikerider.com/forum ... onths.html

[beddowsm]

And just to prove the point about the danger of articles going out of date...

The Long Causeway at Stanage Edge (Edition 9) was closed on 1st May for three months for the repair of a collapsed culvert :unsure:

http://www.adventurebikerider.com/forum ... onths.html

Sods law. I was there less than 2 weeks ago and all was fine. Must have been all the rainfall last week. Will be interested to hear if any tro signs are on the ground.

[Orlando_Orange]

And just to prove the point about the danger of articles going out of date...

The Long Causeway at Stanage Edge (Edition 9) was closed on 1st May for three months for the repair of a collapsed culvert :unsure:

http://www.adventurebikerider.com/forum ... onths.html

that's cos of all those overweight ABR's riding over it apparently just after issue 9 was out... :whistle: :whistle:

[AndyB]

I'm a bit reluctant to post route details on the internet because those details can be found at a later date by anyone who types in the key words and what was previously legal may now have a tro on it and be used by someone who doesn't realise there's been a change.

I'm a member of the TRF but I've never been to a group meeting because I work away from home all the time and the meetings are inevitably on a weekday. I tried contacting a local group and they said I had to go to a meeting before I could go on out with them on a weekend because they liked to have a chat with anyone before riding with them. I can understand their point on this one but it's meant that I either go out on my own or meet other friends in various parts of the country and make a weekend of it rather than riding in a group on local lanes.

I've got to admit that I've been known to subscribe to certain anti-bike groups then post a message suggesting that their photos have helped me out on lanes I never would have found without their help. This causes much consternation and has actually led to me being told I'd be thrown over a drystone wall if I was ever found by other subscribers. I'm not sure how they'd recognise me or how they'd catch me but it had me laughing for hours.

[boboneleg]

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

I've got to admit that I've been known to subscribe to certain anti-bike groups then post a message suggesting that their photos have helped me out on lanes I never would have found without their help. This causes much consternation and has actually led to me being told I'd be thrown over a drystone wall if I was ever found by other subscribers. I'm not sure how they'd recognise me or how they'd catch me but it had me laughing for hours.