[Closed] Cyclists 'frightening' people in the New Forest

Oh i thought it was going to be about WCA and his axe...

The problem down here is a number of people who want nobody in the New Forest at all.

Just last month a local counceller complained that cyclists were dangerous on the forests roads and should be banned!

It all makes me laugh 😆

ps, the official cycle network does not link together, or link any of the main tourist areas either!!

[url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-surrey-15773470 ]Problems also reported at Box Hill[/url]

Surrey Police said there had been a "significant" increase in cyclists along the A25 and at Box Hill.
Residents said the extra riders were causing a nuisance.

Have a thought for the ponnies will you?, the thought that riders could inadvertently be pissing oFf toffs, wot wot! spicy fart in your enemies nostrils anyone? 😀

😯

read some of those comments... how can cyclists be peoples pet hate!? I just don't get it.

159 ponies killed by car in the new forest 0 by cyclists... not that much of threat are we really? what a bunch of twunts.

Anyone for an STW forum ride?

we have teh classic

When a bike rider starts paying road tax they can moan, until then I suggest they shut up, they are a menace, they don't stop at red lights, they think they own the road, they are a law unto themselves.

Ban the bloody lot of them.

TINAS, Sounds like a good idea! I'm up for it. 🙂

Oh i thought it was going to be about WCA and his axe...

Words right out of my mouth etc... 😉

What a joke, and the rabid comments are even funnier.

TINAS, excellent idea, I'm up for it too. I'll be riding my loudest Pro 2 hub and seeing just how many lights I can fit on my bars!

I'll come! 😀

And then they'll ***king know they've bin frightened....

I'm not organising it, I can balrey point to the place on a map!

Laughable article and bizarre attitudes (and dress sense) of the priviliged twts that run the forest aside, is there actually any thing worth riding?

I've taken my bike down a couple of times (mum lives in the land of the living dead that is New Milton) and followed some of the mind-numbing official routes, even the folks in "Gone Biking Mad" looked at me blankly when I asked for routes.

Is it worth posting a link to this thread in the comments "for a laugh"?

Me too.. not too far for me, occasionally ride there but it's a bit busy with grockles.
Prefer the Northern tip of the NF, much quieter and more trails.

Ah it's OK look:

Where does the money come from for the Government to grant to local councils [for road repairs]? the tax charged on cycle helmets or puncture repair kits, no it's from VED as road tax.

So that's OK then...
🙄

I genuinely do not understand how people are too stupid to comprehend how taxation works at even the most basic level. I would go and post on there but you know what they say about arguing with morons on the internet...

Re the riding round there, it's got some great road riding.

Solomon's Boot wrote:
I agree with thew CDA. The livestock and wildlife was here first. The New Forest is NOT a cycle track. Those lights at night are so bright, they blind motorists temporarily, they are a bloody nightmare!

There's not rest for the wildlife either. They go out at night in HUGE numbers!!!!

These idiots need culling, they gather in large numbers and take over the roads. Roads were built for cars, and car drivers pay road tax, if a motorist hits one of these dickheads, the motorist gets the blame, even though these idiots have NO road sense!!

[img] [/img]

This chap maybe?

I have pointed out to motorists on more than one occasion that I too pay vehicle excise duty, and as the owner of a band G or H car usually far more than they have paid to tax their poncey mini. So by their own argument I am entitled to more of the road than they are.

Ban the cars, let the roads return to nature, then we'll all be happy 🙂

It's such a bizarre article as to be funny. I guess that it has raised the number of visits to the Bournemouth Echo website, so they have got what they wanted!

The best comment in the article has to be about children cycling on busy roads. I assume that those parents cycling with children should be in robust vehicles, increasing the traffic and childhood obesity.

I commute on my bike through the National Park and I have to admit not (to my knowledge) to have frightened anyone. Over the years I have reduced (in a very small way) air and noise pollution, helped out at the scene of various car / motorbike crashes and have contacted landowners when the cows are on the road. Sadly, on my 9 mile ride there are no traffic lights to jump.

The New Forest is a great resource but for off road riding it seems largely under used - which I guess is how the National Park would like it. On early morning rides I rarely see other cyclists.

Now when it comes to being frightened on roads my vote goes to the vehicle overtaking in the dark and rain on a blind corner, when you've lost any sense of where the pot holed edge of the road should be due to oncoming glare from un-dipped lights - suddenly you feel very fragile.

Only time I've scared people in the NF is by riding a bit too fast on some cheeky trails... so most times I went out riding then 😉

Had one of the most miserable bank holiday weekends in the New Forest. The fact is that virtually all of the residents absolutely loathe the fact that they have to rely on tourism to fund their lifestyles.

We went looking for trails and found nothing that was really fun anyway, so it's a bit of a wasted trip if you go as you'll have a crap ride and piss off the locals. Unless pissing people off is a hobby of yours, in which case it's bloody good sport.

Pootling about is the best riding in the NF.

From the box hill article...

"If cyclists are aggressive, that is inexcusable."

Wonder if the person making that statement wonders why cyclists get aggressive? When inconsiderate/careless driving genuinely puts your life at risk I'm sure most people would sometimes find it difficult to keep a cool head.

Bank Hols weekend is possibly the *worst* time to visit the NF!!

have to rely on tourism to fund their lifestyles.

Many people in the NF are retired, or work in Bournemouth/Southampton/London.... very very few rely on tourism..

My folks live down there, so it's great having a 'second home' in the NF 😀

Looks like that Echo is owned by the same crowd that does the Bournemouth Echo. Which absolutely loves printing this kind of drivel. They know that cyclist articles drive morons to their websites, so 'cyclists' riding too close to little old ladies will often make the front page in an attempt to whip up the righteous indignation crowd.

Ooh, this thread has a mention on their comments section now. Fame...

Ladies and gentlemen, know thy enemy

[img] [/img]

THERE IS NO DECENT OFF ROAD CYCLING IN THE NEW FOREST - DON'T COME DOWN HERE, EVER 😉

But do come down to the Big Bike Bash - there's loads of cycling then!

Ooh, can we have a 'frighten the locals' New Forest ride then? Can we? PLEEEEEEASE???

Elf,

might cost a little cider... 😉

Members complained that tourists were cycling along busy roads, with children as young as seven or eight struggling to keep up with their parents

That'll be because they're not allowed to cycle in the woodland!

I spend a fair bit of time in the Forest, I grew up spending my summer holiday's camping there, so I have lots of fond memories of the place. The parents now own a static in Ashley so I frequent that on a fair few weekends throughout the year, rarely takes the bikes though which is a real shame as there is so much riding which could be done, but I wouldn't want to be breaking any by-laws 🙄

Many people in the NF are retired, or work in Bournemouth/Southampton/London.... very very few rely on tourism..

That may be the case, but as a tourist, the people you come into contact with are the pub owners, restaurant owners, village shop owners, camp site owners etc - all of which are in the tourism game, and *most* of which would rather you wern't there (but just post your money directly to them).

Also, it probably says a lot that a large part of the population are second homers who are probably the worst NIMBYs going.

THE most unfriendly, unwelcoming bit of the UK I've visited.

go on then, who's the Che Guevara shaped troll?

I live down here, and I am friendly 😆 honest!

So who's up for a ride then??

It's this lot that need culling:

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/cyclists-frightening-people-in-the-new-forest

Couldn't agree more

You've got to admit that the cyclists in the photo [i]do[/i] look like a bunch of tearaways. I particularly like, 'I'm not sure what risk a cyclist presents to a horse or cow. I certainly wouldn't want to run into one, but I suspect it wouldn't even notice if I did.'

This is brilliant, a really funny set of comments and the article is genius, I cant wait to go out on my next night ride and start shuoting in the woods, I didnt realise that is what we should do.

I've added my comment so I'm happy now 😀

They're scared of these guys?

[img] http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/resources/images/1832692/?type=display [/img]

There is a scene in a Peter Greenaway film where 2 cyclists go round a bend in the road and crash into a cow....

The one on the left is a right nutter!.....He's got hammers in that knapsack!

I like the baseball cap style helmets 😉

Strangely the article doesn't mention the possible impact on the Forest of the point to point races that are allowed to be held annually.
In these, huge swathes of Forest are opened up as car parks, which is an open invitation for anyone with a 4x4 to practise their off road driving skills. Then you have huge numbers of riders on horses charging across the Forest flat out.
That's not a problem is it.

Cripes, I'm so bored I just read the comments... apparently there is hatred for:

Cyclists (natch)
Dog walkers
Double child buggies
Mobility scooters

what a lovely tolerant world we live in

I particularly like, 'I'm not sure what risk a cyclist presents to a horse or cow. I certainly wouldn't want to run into one, but I suspect it wouldn't even notice if I did.'

/small bow 🙂

The answer to NF toffs whining is the old "Rufus" solution.

Give them something to be frightened about.

[url= http://counsellingcentral.com/psychology-definition-of-the-week-displaced-anger/ ]The question and answer both lie here[/url]

I'm a New Forest local and often scare myself with my cycling. Who should I complain to?

Drive through and head to the Purbecks IMHO. Much nicer but the locals don't improve much.
Tim
(Dorset born and bread, strong in arm ,thick in head)

[img] [/img]

Cripes, I'm so bored I just read the comments... apparently there is hatred for:

Cyclists (natch)
Dog walkers
Double child buggies
Mobility scooters

See peter, I was perfect going through the new forest on motorcycles, no one complain about motorcycles 😀

A motorcycle passed me on the M27 last night. It was lying down and had no rider, so someone must have taken exception to its presence 🙁

Graham Ferris is one of the vocal members of the local nimby brigade and does everything in his power to keep outsiders out of 'his' forest. His recent miltancy is linked (i think) to the recent sportives in the forest - quite a few of the local (by which I mean 'moved into the area from london quite recently and don't intend to share') gang got upset at the number of bikes on 'their' roads and were quite vocal about it in local papers - was in the Red Shoot the weekend after the wiggle event and lots of the horsey set were in tutting about the number of bikes. I've also noticed a recent uptick in the number of 'the forest is for horses' comments when riding.

Several years ago there was a memorable ride In the New Forest led by the Big Bike Bash supremo. We encountered some horse riders who had a pop at us. We weren't on their private land but they obviously thought it was and we were. Some words were exchanged. 😯

Ghastly people. 🙄

Poor journalism, poorly thought through nimbyism, an inability to understand that the road network is centrally funded and rampant stupidity. Well it's reassuring to know that in these times of global economic turmoil that some things endure... 🙄

That Ferris chap sounds like a right tool. The use of "Dr" in all the articles reinforcing this considered opinion IMO 😉

One of Mountain Bikings most ardent detractors is the Verderer Anthony Passmore who takes great delight in bemoaning us in his regular column in the Lymington Times and occasionally Southampton & Bournemouth Echo's.

[url= http://www.newforest.hampshire.org.uk/forest_notes/notes.html ]Anthony Passmore's Forest Notes[/url]

He is currently reporting such delights as:
'flagrant disregard of the byelaws, usually through bloody-mindedness'
'lycra-clad young men hurtling across the heath and lawns at speed'
'Their passage is often accompanied by raucous yells which seem to be a required accompaniment of this “sport”'
'the normal response is a torrent of abuse'

This behaviour is quite shocking and surely can't apply to any of us?:
'They turn up at a Forest car park, having driven from Southampton with the family four wheel drive wagon loaded with mountain bikes, intent on
using the Forest. The Forest pays the price'

All this just from the first page of his latest Newsletter. Unfortunately this chap holds a position of some power in the way the Forest is run.

He goes on to say the Verderers have applied for 'huge sums of money' with the intent of launching an anti-cycling programme. The comments in the local press, I assume, are the start of this to gather support.

Is this a declaration of war? 👿

How come Nu-Lab didn't nuke the Verderers when they had the chance?

When such miscreants are challenged

😆

Several years ago there was a memorable ride In the New Forest led by the Big Bike Bash supremo. We encountered some horse riders who had a pop at us. We weren't on their private land but they obviously thought it was and we were. Some words were exchanged.

Ah what I bloody missed that! 🙁

I think we should have a right proper group ride there, and harass moany walkers (leave the nice ones alone). Throw poo at passing cars. Or, right, set up a road block with a dead cah or something, then [b]EDITED TOO NASTY[/b]

[i]Several years ago there was a memorable ride In the New Forest led by the Big Bike Bash supremo. We encountered some horse riders who had a pop at us. We weren't on their private land but they obviously thought it was and we were. Some words were exchange[/i]

Rather unnecessarily, I thought. Ignore the fudgers.
Look! Here's me and Lydon scaring people and wildlife on that very day!
We definitely should do it again (now my hand's better 🙂 )
[IMG] [/IMG]

Elf - you rode in the New Forest at the Southern Festival! We didn't upset the locals but DrP entertained them with his trials skillz 8)

Yeah, let's all really hack them off. Forum Ride and rope in the Northerners too cos they're quite vocal. You in?

Can't believe that people have such an attitude - it's so last century.

Ooh, mass trespass time?

Here's another (May 2009, that was)
[IMG] [/IMG]

CG it's so [b]19th[/b] century - 1876 or something was when most of the bullshit the verderers view as the one true way was written

😆

scaredy - yeah, it's so parochial. Dinosaurs. 🙄

Right then - forum ride it is, I know the perfect leader!

Someone suggest a date??

ps. might involve a pub stop or 2 😆

Great article, even better comments. Do you think that "From the Edge" and "MarkJBryant" might just have had their tongues in their cheeks? Im gutted to think I missed out on all this fun when I was in the new forest this week. I'll take my bike next time, for sure!

Some of those comments are brilliant MarkJBryant I salute you 🙂

People on here characterising horse riders as toffs pisses me off. Horses are just XC bikes for girls.

Do you think that "From the Edge" and "MarkJBryant" might just have had their tongues in their cheeks?

rope in the Northerners too cos they're quite vocal

Ooooh, a chance to upset some Southern nimbys for a change - i'm in!

(Who's gonna put me up then?) 😆

You're Northern, you will not require shelter as you are hardy and tough, and therefore will be fine out in the open...

+1 nuke from orbit

Boring place full of horrible people (apart from the STW member in this thread of course).

Never been anywhere with so many people so keen to tell me what I can't do, and I didn't even take my MTB!

It's just like a bigger version of Epping Forest with fewer trails and more nags anyway.

I'd even cross the water to join in a forum ride. Where and when please?!

If it coincides with a visit to my mother's then I'll join you.

Also, Mr Passmore is actively soliciting feedback "If you are able to assist with queries raised within the Notes, please email Anthony Pasmore directly."

His e-mail address is apasmore@btinternet.com

Also, Mr Passmore is actively soliciting feedback "If you are able to assist with queries raised within the Notes, please email Anthony Pasmore directly."

Shall we all bombard his inbox then?

That's not going to help, but maybe try to engage him in some meaningful dialogue that might change his perception of moutain bikers a bit?