I will admit to discovering a few footpaths near me lately that are absolutely great to ride on and have taken me to a few places I didn't even know existed. I ride them as less people were out during the "hour exercise" part of lock down so didn't feel as bad doing so.
I'll admit that I can't help feeling guilty. Genuinely. I know a lot of you with think that's daft but I can't help it.
As a slightly tongue in cheek way of justifying the trespass if accosted by a walker it seems too good to miss.
Anyone given it a try yet?
Btw, genuinely don't mean this to be a politics thread, there is the "other place" for that.
I can't be the only person that's thought along these lines can I?
Let's keep it light hearted. 👍
Wouldn’t dream of it,
Instead my attitude as a £22000 per year has been to think I’m entitled to do what ever I want as long as the minimum wage plebs don’t do it
3 Questions you need to ask someone accosting you...
Are you the landowner?
Are you the prime-minister, Boris Johnson?
Are you the prime-minister's boss, Dominic Cummings?
If the answer to all three is no, then why should I care what you think? If you're not the landowner you have no legal right to tell me what to do, and if you're not bozza or dozza then your opinion counts for nothing anyway you pleb. Now where's that castle?
I’ve had it used on me.
On a footpath that I’ve used many many times over many years, Often in full view of waving tractor drivers and of people who had a distinct ‘countryside’ look about them, now I’m using it (and lots of other lovely options) less as there is so much of the ‘corona increased’ traffic. Anyway one lovely day, Early in the morning as I tootled along the path I met a A bloke, his wife and son, the bloke said to me you can’t ride on a footpath you shouldn’t be here, I pointed out that I’d used it many times and the landowner had never objected, He said I shouldn’t be cycling on a footpath so I explained that as he wasn’t the landowner he had no right to stop me, he then said you’ll have difficulty Getting over the stiles, I thanked him for his concern and went on my way, During our chat his wife was studiously head down, admiring the grass and his son was quite happily cycling about all over the place.
Definite increase in angry types locally round here, due to covid traffic. I put it down to those who would ordinarily busy themselves by being generally sour-faced and making petty complaints in cafes, restaurants, garden centers and supermarkets etc, needing something to do.
Usually it being semi urban around here, nobody cares.
When I've been challenged I've just said: oh dear that's a shame, what a silly rule. Doesn't calm them down much though 😂
So, just to be clear - the correct response would be "It's OK, I'm just testing my eyesight" ?
I'd like to think I have a couple of responses ready but in reality I never seem get hassled. I can think of two occasions ever, and one of those was on a shared use path. Its more likely to be the other way, I'm meeting a lot more people on the dedicated, man made MTB trail I've been riding recently. I don't think there is anything legally wrong with walking it but it is a bit dangerous and selfish. There's another bit with signs up telling cyclists to stick to the bridleway. That bit is pretty busy with walkers, the many paths that cross the woods around it are absolutely empty, so I've been riding there. If I see someone, and if they confront me, I'll be ready...
I would rather avoid footpaths than proclaim "I am a mekon headed arsehole who is entitled to do what the **** I like"
slight hijack - poopscoop, did you post that 'stay at home' infographic with cummings loading cases into a car that I think then got taken down because of a bad word?
Where was it from / could you send me a link (by PM if necessary) I need it in A3 size for my wall. And maybe a T-shirt too.
As for the 'are you the landowner - no. Are you Dominic Cummings - no. Then your opinion is of no consequence!' is my new answer.
Just reply with "Sshhhh, don't say anything or I will get in trouble".
I rode a number of footpaths yesterday that are usually deserted and they were quite busy with walkers. Bang out of order!
Sods law dictates that you usually come across them on the fastest and most enjoyable bit of downhill too
I had my 'personal interpretation' excuse lined up but the only group of walkers who said anything besides hello just stopped me on the fastest most enjoyable bit of downhill just to ask for directions. Which I gave "you need to follow this footpath up and then take the first footpath on the left" with no hint of self awareness
I would rather avoid footpaths than proclaim “I am a mekon headed arsehole who is entitled to do what the **** I like”
Good, less traffic on them means more chance of clean enjoyable runs.
Thanks for your cooperation!
So, just to be clear – the correct response would be “It’s OK, I’m just testing my eyesight” ?
'I'm sorry, my eyesight has deteriorated due to my raging Covid infection, must have missed the sign'. That should clear the path for you.
If accosted simply point out how wonderful the bluebells are looking.
I think people have probably gone out to avoid hearing about that arsehole, so I would advise against your proposed plan OP.
On a tangent, do we feel all the "new" RoW users during lockdown might help bolster the case for access reform? I've seen loads more people than normal out and about but had less "telling off" than normal.
My conclusion is that many don't have a Scooby Doo what the access "rules" are, and don't care.
#benicesayhi
Actually met a landowner while exploring during lockdown, I was certainly directionally challenged by that point, but I did know I was on an FP, he told me I wasn't allowed on here, so I apologised and told him where I was trying to get to and asked which route he would prefer me to leave via (the way I was already going thankfully) and we wished each other good day. Usually it's a walker having a moan when its none of their business anyway and around 50% of the time it's while we're on a bridleway, so I just cheerily wish them a good day - but don't mean it.
I think if plod stopped you during some lockdown exercise, you could try the DC defence, but by the sounds of it they've already heard it a lot, so hope they just laugh it off.
My response has always been" I know. Ridiculous isn't it?"
On a tangent, do we feel all the “new” RoW users during lockdown might help bolster the case for access reform? I’ve seen loads more people than normal out and about but had less “telling off” than normal.
My conclusion is that many don’t have a Scooby Doo what the access “rules” are, and don’t care.
I've thought that everyone feels a bit guilty about being outside, and so they're that much less inclined to be haughty at others.
Got some abuse last night for not being on a bridleway - in East Lothian.
Now if I had been on a bridleway, especially on a fat bike I would need to have: superpowers, be a criminal or Cummings.
I was pretty certain I was going to regain my KOM on an epic DH trail in Thanet yesterday until I spotted the two walkers in the field of peas the epic DH run passed through. I did the massive 1ft mouse-road gap and maintained super high speed until around ten metres behind the walkers where upon I performed heroic breaking to match their pace. Sorry can't be bothered to finish the story.
I got moaned at for being on a bridleway last week. After a slightly heated debate the non believer got the I don't give a F what you think whilst her partner just kept his head down.
where upon I performed heroic breaking to match their pace.
Sounds painful, did you break them or you? Was the breaking caused by braking?
Well, I had a OAP decide that she was entitled to stop riding her bike past and tell us off for letting our 3 and 5 year olds throw a couple of stones into a local pond, you know how boys like to 'It costs tax payers money.....' rest was drowned out by wife and I saying "thank you, enjoy your day" as loudly as we could....luckily she got the point.
Depending on the person asking i have 2 responces.
1. Oh really i didnt know that. Yea ok ill not do it again.... carry on as per
2. Oh didnt you know they had changed the law. Yea its all open access now like they have in scotland. Yes i know i couldnt believe it either but what do you know. Why dont you look it up. (they either go away and tell their mates at the pub, look it up or most likely dont bother but repeat it to someone else. This has worked near where i live and a couple of nimby's have gone from screaming to a polite hello. I suggest we all use this approach 🙂 open access by proxy)
I got told I was breaking the law the other day by a farmer.
I said I was doing no harm whatsoever and that I disagreed with the law and that I thought it was completely outdated but thanked him anyway.
It's a ridiculous law.
Subscriber
slight hijack – poopscoop, did you post that ‘stay at home’ infographic with cummings loading cases into a car that I think then got taken down because of a bad word?
Ohhhh, didn't know it got taken down but I did take the mick a bit posting it. Sorry Mods.
Pm'ed you matey.👍
Ta!
I use Bregante's reply.
I know its daft isn't it.
A technically correct response in England or Wales would be "I believe higher access rights exist on this route and until settled by a public inquiry I shall continue to exercise them"
Should work for the 99.99% of trails that haven't been through a public inquiry
I also go out of my way to report any signs that attempt to incorrectly deny access
Err. Oops, but yes I have. I probably shouldn't have ridden that particular footpath through one of our local golf courses in broad daylight on a nice late spring evening when the gammons were out golfing in force. But after the last couple of days I was of a "I don't give a shit" frame of mind. The path runs right past loads of greens and tees. This was daft of me.
One of the red-faced golfy gammons (GGs) came bounding over and the following exchange ensued:
Me: Evening!
GG: That's a FOOTPATH not a bridleway. You shouldn't be riding there.
Me: Speak to Dominic Cummings about it.
GG: **** off.
I sort of regret it, but as I'm pretty sure he will be Johnson-Cummings fanboi (over 55, white, male, officious, golfer) I really wanted him to see, right in front of him, what Cummings actions are likely to do in the wider world.
It won't do any good of course and it probably wasn't the wisest move, but I am incandescent after the last couple of days.
🙄
^😅
Living in Co Durham I will now be saying, “I’m sorry, I’m not from round here. Is this the road to Barnard Castle?”