Well, it sounds like there is no point in trying to keep this thread sotto voce any more. Firstly a disclaimer. I WAS NOWHERE NEAR THE INCIDENT AT THE TIME. We were out on a nice ride when we met some familiar faces who warned us that a certain path was being ‘staked out’. Oh yes, we are talking land rover parked halfway up a field where you wouldn’t see it and ranger loitering behind a hedge waiting to apprehend any wrongdoers, engaged in such heinous activities as riding a bike in the countryside. I am told the encounter was entirely friendly and professional, I hasten to add.
So, fro45, this is where greater visibility has got us. At least we all now know why things have gone quiet on the official front. We have been flushed out as a result of rattling the cage officially. I wouldn’t mind betting that some cross-reading of forum activity has informed this stake out. Either you have been incredibly naive (there were warnings) or this was a put-up job from the start. Either way, it doesn’t make any difference. The effect has now been seen. Well done (that is either sarcastic or grudgingly admiring depending on the original intent, by the way). The park authorities have played a good hand here, so again, well done you.
So here is (another) tuppence worth from me.
To the Bradgate Rangers.
I expect you to now stop and warn every single kid on a bike who strays even an inch off of the ‘main carriageway’. You have to have rules, and these rules must be applied absolutely evenly. If I see such behaviour, I expect to be able to report it to one of the rangers and have it acted on. If I see such behaviour whilst a ranger is present I will expect action to be taken.
I assume you are also going to at least warn everyone who lets their dog defecate in the park that they face prosecution if they don’t clean it up. I will be taking photographs of every pile of dog shit that I see and send them to Natural England. I dread to think what they would make of that.
Rules are rules after all.
Engagement is a waste of time. Narrow-mindedness wins. I’m going to employ some of my own and let’s see where that gets us.