MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
was reading a few months old singletrack mag on lunch today - basically telling you to try and ride non-cycling paths/tracks/trails etc.....
now there is plenty where i go riding that are out of bounds to cyclists - some of the stuff ive not done does look truly brilliant ...
ive started to explore more now, and i am often riding where i shouldnt be - NOTE : only at off peak times, ie, later after work/night, or very early mornings weekend nor if the weather is terrible ruining the paths etc etc etc...
i dont see a single person on these unauthorized off road routes- which annoys me, as i clearly have caused no harm (in the summer = dry ground) and think of more people who could enjoy it too...
so ive sort of decided its a free for all, i pay what i call respect, by not using it peak times(weekend days) and DONT ride them when the weather has been raining heavily for days, to cause the wear on paths etc(though this isnt a massive concern as its mostly rocky ish singletrack)...
i find it a bit upsetting im not allowed to enjoy it by default and made to feel im doing something totally wrong, when really im just riding a bike and enjoying the scenery like the rest....
what are your views on this? do you go where your not allowed? do you ride them regardless of condition/time of day etc?
Yes, sometimes though not stuff that'll get trashed or is heavily used by walkers, etc.
Standard 'Yes, silly isn't it?' response if told that 'you're not allowed to ride here'.
No, I wouldn't dream of such a thing. Why would you need to when a trail centre provides all the riding you'll ever need?
Local ones yes, and generally those that are better able to stand the abuse so that if anyone does complain (they haven't yet) about environmental damage, its a bit easier to argue that its minimal.
Yes - a few of my local xc routes include some cheeky elements. I tend to ride them in an evening and have never had any bother.
I avoid cheeky routes that go through farms etc.
Yeah, not been questioned yet but we don't really have much of a rambling community here it seems.
[on record] of course not that would be a terrible thing to do[/on record]
[off record] where and when necessary [/off record] 😀
nice witty reply to tell the 'arsey' ones 😆 i like it! will keep that one in mind!
to be honest, i have occasionally seen a few walkers (very very rare) on these bits when i have been out and they have always spoke - infact saw two just coming on to a bit we were finishing, and we had a chat about the weather and stuff, they were mega friendly, and clearly we were stood next to a sign that said no bikes allowed 😆
i feel like a naughty school boy doing it, and im not doing it to be funny/cause a reaction, i just love the stuff there and enjoy it immensely - and whats more people ive come across have never battered an eyelid (to my face)...
yes
The ones I'm most inclined to ride are the ones that are in areas where there are usually similar bridleways around too and it's only historical (rather than any reasons due to sustainability, etc) reasons that mean it's a footpath rather than a BW.
defintely think sunday afternoons especially id avoid at all costs - i imagine id get a lot of crappy comments then -
glad to hear its not just me then, makes it seem right somehow now 😆
MOST walkers don't know of don't care - I think if you are as polite as possible one would be unlikely to have any major encounters 🙂 Hypothetically speaking!
No, that would be a terrible thing to admit to on an open forum which could be quoted by any party with a vested interest against cyclists 🙄
Yep. Ride responsibly everywhere. If a trail doesn't hold up well to wet weather then avoid it whatever the classification.
It's only coloured lines on a map.
There are couple of us out tonight. At some point of the ride, we might stray onto the odd bit of bridleway. Otherwise, cheekier than :
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😀
Google image cheeky girls beach..
Beautifully put Hora. You are Lembit Opik and I claim my £5 😉
I can see why he had a faint-smile all the time now.
😈
on a side note - whats the worst that could happen say you got caught by a park ranger etc? they cant physically do anything other than tell you off and walk you off the path can they? can you get fined for doing such terrible and illegal riding? death penalty maybe? 😆
yes, all the time, biggest risk is the dreaded dogs egg.
Do you ride 'cheeky' trails?
almost exclusively.
Hell yes - I think a couple of my local rides are 100% on footpaths.
I make way for walkers, carry over gates and have a blast. Not one piece of trouble ever. Even the farmer on the edge of the Chedder Gorge whom I asked for directions said 'you're not really allowed to ride along here' to which I replied, 'yes, I'm happy to push until I'm back on a bridalway' so he replied, 'nah, saw you push past the cattle anyway, there's a steep as anthing hill down that way, have a blast!'
Most people are pretty sensible
on a side note - whats the worst that could happen say you got caught by a park ranger etc? they cant physically do anything other than tell you off and walk you off the path can they? can you get fined for doing such terrible and illegal riding? death penalty maybe?
I had a conversation with the Calderdale council/rights of way and I admitted I shouldn't have been on the footpath. The person on the phone was more concerned about me being assaulted/the behaviour of the person with the two dogs. On this particular footpath it was 09.30am on a Sunday morning BTW.
My biggest fear is lack of control or speed especially if the cheeky is technical/corners/off-camber and theres a 60yr old walker coming up.
Lets face it we are all allowed to use the countryside but is it fair to spoil someones tranquillity? Ride very very early or very late.
Often yes, quite a lot of the trails i run are a lot safer if i use cheeky routes to link them up instead of roads!
cant believe the amount of people whom also do it - i know everybody doesnt live near trail centres etc - i have tonnes of peak open countryside near me - and its seem rude not to exlpore
so the consensus is yes everybody does it- but sensibly, and trying to accomodate the path conditions, walkers and the likes!
never really talked to people about it before, as i didnt want them to think i was being a bit naughty etc, and didnt want other riders to do the same and cause unrest etc
forgot to mention - good point - most of the reason for cheeky trails is to avoid doing huge amounts of road - managing now to link in routes with very minimal road which is great!
i dont feel ohhhh so bad now though - right of for some cheeky riding tonight then
Yep all the time. But sensibly. I know which footpaths (and bridleways) locally are busy at certain times and which are sustainable and avoid when nessicary.
Why did someone edit my cheeky girls comment? Is STW now run by a practising Christian? 😐
As a kid I rode my bike all over the place, never had any concept of what was or wasn't allowed - don't see any reason to change now. As above, it's about being responsible, not what colour the line is on the map.
Yes, more and more often, as I find no one seems bothered so long as done sensibly and courteously with regard to other users, if any.
Probably just concerned about the absence of reference to flash grenades. Or offending wife-beaters from Sunderland. I wonder if there are any wife-beaters from Sunderland here?
Yes - but I smack myself for being naughty so that's okay
Bound to be a few. Have you googled them yet? I know one day they'll end up looking like their Mum however until that day....I will be their 'cheeky boy 😀
Locally , then generally. However if I travel I avoid it if at all possible.
There's a good article in the newest edition of 'Privateer' magazine, written by the chaps 'in the know' and what their take is on the legalities of riding 'off piste'.
I personally don't know anyone who hasn't or doesn't ride on footpaths but they are usually careful about when and where, with condsideration at all times for other users. We luckily live in a place where most people give you a cheery hello as you pass, unless they're tourists, when I've actually been told off for riding a legal bw.
Fist pie to the next rambling vigalante that tells me i shouldn't be there 😆
Everything defaults to bridleway of an evening anyway.
Bunnyhop's right. The only time I've had grief is from precious red socked tourists in the Lakes, who are clearly under the impression that they own the place. You can ride around on footpaths all day in East Lancs and all you'll get is a cheery 'hello'
With care and a bit of common sense.
To be fair the only ones that ever give grief are the ones that are pissed you are having more fun than them, a sort of walking version of a pram face.
Living in Northern Ireland you don't have much choice. Though the forest service are currently trying to pass legislation to make it a criminal offence to ride on forest service land, other than on designated trails, which there are none worth talking about.
How are they going to police that?
The access situation in Ireland in general seems to heavily favour landowners. Why?
Its just as well no-one seems to mind. You bump into a lot of fell runners on the West Pennines. They always, without exception, look absolutely ****ing nails!
Like if you did have a disagreement with them, your body may never be found. I'm always careful to say hello and give them plenty of room
Like if I say this fps good, lets do that 🙂However if I travel I avoid it if at all possible.
well thats no different from a BW is it....ahemMy biggest fear is lack of control or speed especially if the cheeky is technical/corners/off-camber and theres a 60yr old walker coming up
You've met mr sparkle then binners?They always, without exception, look absolutely ****ing nails! Like if you did have a disagreement with them, your body may never be found
No idea Hora??
One of the many questions that's been put to them by the local Mtb community. Forest service in N.I. live in the dark ages were recreational forest users are pests, especially mountain bikers.
DONK but 'good' footpaths tend to be narrower, technical with more elevation drops than plain old bridleways hence 'beware'
Technical footpaths encourage lower speeds than sanitised bridleways.
Obviously your lack of control is another matter. :o)
dunno hora I manage to run into (not quite literally) plenty of 60yo walkers on BWs
You've obviously not ridden some of the cheeky 'in the Peaks somewhere' then Dave.
It almost gave me a heart attack on Sunday! slowrider will hang me if I revealed where it is...
The access situation in Ireland in general seems to heavily favour landowners. Why?
They "own" it 😆
But seriously there needs to a lot more cooperation from all parties involved. The more people that can use a trail/path the more funds will be available.
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Yeah sure..
Ride based on suitability not legality. Be nice to other people, and party on, dudes
No I don't. Never have.
Some of the trail I was led down last Thursday, well lets just say calling them "trails" was cheeky.
If it ain't got this painted on it then I'm not meant to be riding on it.. so I don't.. and nor should you..
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My approach is that I can ride where I like, when I like, with whom I like, but I am always courteous to everyone I meet along the way.
I don't see any reason beyond practicality to avoid any path at any time. If it's full of walkers or full of mud, then chances are that I'd probably be riding a different footpath somewhere else purely based on that criterion alone.
I see this as "working on their expectations" and IMHO we're thereby getting steadily nearer to the point where it never crosses anyone's mind to question our presence on the footpaths.
<Edit> The fanatic red-sock faction will have all died-off within a generation anyway, can't do much with them except smile sweetly and carry on regardless </Edit>
I did get to use the smiling "yes, silly isn't it" response for the first time a couple of weeks ago though..... it did feel rather satisfying. 😆 No further debate was forthcoming.
Ironically, the most vocal opposition I've met have been
1. on the BRIDLEWAY along Ullswater and
2. on a totally off-piste track where the walker was as guilty as me with neither of us having any legitimate right to be there.
😀
i was once told off for riding my bike on the Whitby swingbridge, on the road section. Apparently it's for pedestrians only. I think she missed the road markings, footpaths, cars behind her, traffic lights and so on.
Otherwise, i've only been told off by park rangers in the Peaks. Even so, the amount of (bike unfriendly) gates and poor signing on bridleways makes it pretty easy to verge onto a footpath unintentionally
There's a good article in the newest edition of 'Privateer' magazine, written by the chaps 'in the know' and what their take is on the legalities of riding 'off piste'.
I wondered what had happened with that
To slightly smugly paraphrase a quote from the little known, yet still classic, 80's teen movie "The Sure Thing" starring a young John Cusack
This is Scotland,... We can go anywhere!"
As rights of way officer on my parish council I am disgusted by the selfish attitudes and disregard for local bureaucracy and political discourse shown in this thread.
You will give MTB a bad name.
Winterfold has a point. I do it but I do it quietly 95% on my own in the early morning. Any objecting ramblers have a right to complain at me without any retort back. The sad matter is the majority of normal trails just aren't as challenging or interesting as the footpaths.
yes.
anyways, who Owns this here earth and who did they buy it from in the First place? .. we are all only visiting this place for a short time sooooooo (ride where ya want) and tell Um i said it was Ok 😉
I wondered what had happened with that
It was commissioned for Issue 2 of "shift" from Bikemagic, but it never came out so it sat on the shelf for a couple of years. Good read, actually.
[i]As rights of way officer on my parish council I am disgusted by the selfish attitudes and disregard for local bureaucracy and political discourse shown in this thread.[/i]
So let's hear your thoughts on access then...
[i]You will give MTB a bad name.[/i]
Look what trespass did for the Ramblers. Oh....
everything has a "bad name" to someone somewhere
any rider caught on footpaths I administer will get a stern talking to...
...in the course of which I will make sure they are well aware of the best cheeky features and drops on our local trails and singletrack, er, footpaths.
Seriously we have a speeding problem in our village, and even the most stuff and bureacratic members of the PC are all for encouraging permissive use of footpaths by bikes as noone wants a dead kid or dad splattered on a village road.
When it's put in those terms people tend to see the problem in a different way, and it becomes much less of a problem - given expectations of a minimum level of courtesy to walkers, horses etc
here's the PC filing cabinet for complaints about riding on paths
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(obvious troll must try harder)
winterfold, think your first post was too subtle 😉
Scotland, so, not really much that could be called a cheeky trail. I do use one at Innerleithen which is an ex-trail and officially closed/converted to be a pushup path, that's probably a bit cheeky.
nbt+1
Apply common sense when, what and how to ride - most FPs in Somerset are barely used. What a waste!
You will occasionally meet a Footpath Nazi, but don't let them spoil your day. I practice polite militancy. If they get arsey, I point to the CtBM sticker on my bike that reads: "This machine kills fascists".
"there's a steep as anthing hill down that way, have a blast!"
I think I know where you mean (nr Cheddar Gorge). It's good early/late once grockles have gone home for tea 😀
Yes I do. Like most people though, I avoid areas if I know they'll be busy / too muddy, and if I do meet anyone I'm always polite and ride responsibly.
I've not used the 'I'm from the footpaths department and am checking the paths' line yet though 😛
i am often riding where i shouldnt be
that might be where you have no right to be, which isn't quite the same.
I've always enjoyed the local golf course for a cheeky blast... them sandy jumps are lush!
No one else seems to appreciate me joining in though, I've had people who would be considered well-to-do blast golf balls at me!!
People eh? 😉
Northwind it would be so nice if we could get sensible about this like you lot or our Scandy cousins but in the meantime... I will try harder next time 🙂
yep
cheeky trails in rossendale are underused by johnny walker , so no big issue in my manor
I reckon that barring the odd trail centre outing every ride I've ever done has involved riding something that I don't have the right to ride enshrined in law, 99% at least.
I don't understand why people in England are still saddled with this crap set of land access laws, surely a decently organised pressure group could point to the different rules in Scotland and press through changes in the law? It worked for the Ramblers as someone said above.
Northwind, I know the trail you mean at Innerleithen, I ride it on occasion, I've never seen anyone using it as a push up, the other push up route along the hill is so much easier, so just go for it! They'd hear you coming anyway.
I doubt I would admit it on an open public forum like this even if I did.....
I don't understand why people in England [and Wales] are still saddled with this crap
The different user groups (horse, cycle, trail bikes, 4x4, ramblers) are fragmented and at odds with each other. MTB has no single lobby group advocating a change to the law. The powerful ramblers lobbyist in particular, don't support other types of users on routes where they currently have sole rights.
Also, Scotland had successful defacto open access for decades before becoming law. It also had no legacy of RoW categories - byway, bridleway, footpath. These categories are very divisive.
Interesting reply buzz, I can see when you put it like that it's going to be difficult for any change to happen, shame. I love the fact I can basically ride where I want up here (always responsibly of course!) it's a pity it's not a universal thing across the whole island.