Local riders may remember this thread from some time ago:
Things have progressed and there is a new website explaining all:
http://hampshiretrailwatch.co.uk/
Please note that the next meeting will be held on [b]Monday 6th September at Alice Holt Forest, starting at 6.30 pm[/b]
This is obviously an opportunity to get involved and we can all benefit. So ... sign up for the e-mail update and come along.
If you can't make it but have ideas/suggestions to make, feel free to e-mail (address in profile) as I am intending to take an active role in this.
Things won't happen without your input so, please, get involved. 🙂
Check out the pics for some glorious Hampshire/Surrey countryside accompanied by some stunning models. 😉
Nice one CG.
It's not loading on my crappy work PC and it's a bit small on the iPhone, so I'll have a read tonight.
(Feeling slightly smug about all my pics on the site though 😉 )
And good pics they are too Pete. 😀 That was such a great day, our third attempt at that route and we were rewarded with some fine weather also.
Yes indeedy!
Kate's been having a good trawl through my Flickr site, it has to be said. 🙂
i ride alot if these trails normaly on my own as i have no friends 🙁
Poor parkesie! Come along to the meeting, share your local knowledge and make some friends. 8)
might just have to 🙂 excuse for a night ride
Excellent parkesie!
One aspect I'm particularly keen to see riders get involved in is trail maintenance. Having bitterly complained on here about some Hampshire trail sanitisation, we will now have the opportunity to ensure that the character of a trail is not lost.
Can I sign a petition against Hampshire trail watch? There are plenty of bridleways and track out there, if you cant be bothered to pick up an OS map and go exploring then stay at home, or drive to one of the nicely signposted trail centers in less populated areas of the country.
Are you adversely affected by it Green ?
So, playing devil's advocate... you're advocating that we pay 20 quid a year to join a group that may or may not have any effect on the state of a bunch of bridleways, but object to paying 20 quid to the Crown Estate to ride the network of trails at Swinley... 😉
>Can I sign a petition against Hampshire trail watch?
Well there isn't one so "no" would be the answer I guess. You could always start one yourself though and try to get likeminded [s]grumps[/s] people to sign up.
😉
Green - yes, I see what you are saying but there are many folk who do not have the time or inclination to study a map and take a chance of finding some good tracks.
We all are pressed for time, we are all affected by rising fuel costs so this will enable people to use local trails rather than drive to trail centres.
Some routes, devised by local riders, will be waymarked so they can have a good ride without consulting a map every 100 metres. Is this not a good thing?
Opinions welcomed!
Edit: gotta disappear but back later. Keep the replies coming. 🙂
Be nice to keep those bridle ways open and passable though wouldnt it. Not over grown blocked with builders rubbish or sign posts removed.
And whats wrong with signing a route that uses bridleways and byways for those just out for a ride not a wanting to carry a map and compass and go looking for the best bits all day.
Not really to be honest, although I do live close by and ride in that area. My concern is why do we always have to keep encouraging people to ride on an already over populated trail network? Publishing trail names and creating new maps etc causes additional traffic on the trails, leads to errosion and conflict with other users, just look at swinley and surrey hills, and now even the areas over towards Aldershot.
Not really to be honest, although I do live close by and ride in that area. My concern is why do we always have to keep encouraging people to ride on an already over populated trail network?
NIMBY.
Yeah probably a bit NIMBY, I do agree with a lot of the stuff on the Trailwatch constitution page, and wouldnt want to really sign a petition against a group of volunteers who are trying to improve riding in their area, its just the "Increase Awareness" bit that I dont agree with -
A.To maintain a complete map of the existing network derived from the current RoW map
B.Make available, trail guides and practical recommendations suitable for varying levels of cycle user
C.Explore and document, new and innovative trail routes
Got to say I'm with green here, we live in an area with more trails than most and thats before you start counting the cheeky ones. Also my favorite legit trail round here is at present has an covered with brambles, stingers and bracken then runs down a completely trashed gully with nice roots and drops for about 1/2 a mile, please dont come and attempt to clear the entrance, maintain it thinking your helping the community.
If Green is genuine about discouraging more people from riding in the area - are you going to start by not riding it yourself?
The answer lies in good behaviour and management, not exclusion or discouragement.
I'm not saying we should exclude or discourage anyone, just not encourage them 😉
Doesn't follow at all for me. I'm lucky enough to have been born slap in the middle of some great countryside - but it isn't [i]mine[/i]. Come and enjoy it one and all, but be considerate and responsible.
Good luck with it C_G.
Great pictures of the Surrey, Hampshire and [u]Berkshire[/u] countryside 😉
Jason, shush! I knew where the pics were from as I took them, but nobody else need know! 😉 😀
Thanks to those who have e-mailed offering help, much appreciated but still more needed as there's quite a large area to cover.
Some good feedback and we do need to have both positive and negative, and it will ALL obviously be taken on board. But the fact is that the system works differently now and we have to adapt. I personally think we are very lucky to have the Forestry Commission at Alice Holt being pro mountain biking.
As regards trail maintenance, I have stated I do not want to see trail sanitisation and reckon mtb'ers are pretty much in agreement about how much pruning/trimming needs to be done. We can all get involved in looking after our local patch.
The comment about an overpopulated network, I disagree. I have pretty good trail knowledge in Hampshire and find that at weekends I can still have many Rights of Way to myself. Reckon you will find Swinley Forest overpopulated though. 😉
Jason: it's Kate who's behind this but I just have the thick skin to deal with the STW'ers. 😉
Of course, you're absolutely correct about where the pics were taken so am waiting to be strung up on the Gibbet. 😆
Edit: thepurist - stop being a trouble-maker. 😉
We actually did a Hampshire/Wiltshire/Berkshire loop on Sunday, and passed through the first photo on your website.
Cracking weather too.
Green - why not come along to the meeting on 6th September? I think as a local you should put your point of view across.
b r - good timing I would say! Nothing like wet chalk on a Bank Holiday weekend. 😯
I'll try and make it along to the meeting.
(Although I'll hopefully have done Kielder 100 and 700 miles of driving at the weekend, so my only contribution might be some snoring)
Dave - we need your input at the meeting so you might need to bring some Red Bull to stay awake! A 100 mile ride for you is nothing anyway. 😉
glenp - Member
Doesn't follow at all for me. I'm lucky enough to have been born slap in the middle of some great countryside - but it isn't mine. Come and enjoy it one and all, but be considerate and responsible.
+1
A wee update on this:
£2 local rider membership - for this you will receive an adhesive sticker, one day's free parking, one free bacon bap from the Cafe, one free inner tube from the bike shop. 8)
Yep, that's right, £2. Bargaintastic. 😀 Just fill in your details on the website or apply in person at Alice Holt.
[b]Monday 6th September at Alice Holt, starting at 6.30 pm. Hampshire Trailwatch meeting. All welcome.[/b]
This will start from the Cafe if weather is reasonable otherwise it will be held in the Education Centre.
Now I know that there are a lot of riders in both the Hampshire and Surrey areas so it would be brilliant if you could come along and get involved.
Just to reassure people that this will not consist of committees, countless meetings, pointless administration. We are all busy and want to ride our bikes so it will be up to [b]you[/b] how much you put into it. I promise that you will not get beaten with a stick. 😯
Just a little bumpity bump and do hope that lots of you can make the meeting tomorrow. 🙂
Did indulge in a bacon bap after a very soggy little ride today and it was delicious!
I'm going to come and ride the trails there, and leave empty crisp packets and drinks cans all over the place.
I'm from the big city, so I can't help it.
Might dump an old fridge there as well. Burn a few old tyres.
Elf - you're sounding stressed. Do tell Auntie C_G what's wrong.
If you're wanting a personal guided tour of Swinley Forest, you only have to ask. 😉
Nah, just being deliberately obtuse in response to this selfishness:
I'm not saying we should exclude or discourage anyone, just not encourage them
If it's too overpopulated, Green, may I suggest you go and ride one of the nicely signposted trail centres in other parts of the country? 😉
Well, some 'terminology' has to be included that will appeal to the FC, as it were. Just being PC surely? 🙄
What you are doing sounds excellent, hope the meeting goes well tomorrow. I don't think I would be averse to contributing a measly £2 for improving trails if it was my area. In fact its not to far from me anyhow, so I might just join anyhow 😉 Anything that improves access to the countryside has to be good in my view, and getting cyclists to lead in improvements to bridleways seems to be a no brainer really
Good job so far, and good luck!
Zukemonster - thank you. 🙂
I guess we all need to accept that rights of way may not be maintained in the way that we would like them to be. However, by getting involved and thus proving that mountain bikers are responsible, can only be a good thing.
Just bumping this up again for the afternoon folk. 🙂
Sorry, not going to make this now as we are still sorting out the aftermath of our Kielder trip.
Kate said there's going to be regular meetings - when is the next one?
How did you get on at Kielder?
Meetings are held on the first Monday of each month but if there is a change, it will be posted up on the Hampshire Trailwatch website.
If there is anything you want brought up, you can e-mail me with the details. Shame you can't make it cos you have a good knowledge of Surrey trails.
I did ok at Kielder but crashed rather too often, and perhaps doing it 6 days after soloing the Gorrick 12 hour was a bit ambitious. Never in danger of missing the cut-offs, but never in danger of a fast time either!
Not had time to think of anything for the meeting, but will put the next one in my diary.
How did the meeting go?
i know of several Hampshire bridleways that are overgrown to the point of impassable - had to hack our way out of a bramble bush with a multi tool last week - how/ where do i pass on the details?
Cheers.
Meeting went well and the Chairperson did a good job of keeping it short and to the point. We are lucky that an extremely knowledgeable person has stepped forward and his input will be welcomed.
Can I politely point out that there is definitely no intention of holding endless meetings with endless pontification and associated endless paperwork for Hampshire Trailwatch members. We all want to ride our bikes and not waste valuable riding time.
Just to reassure those who are thinking of joining, the £2 fee goes 100% directly to pay for signage. So, please join up and enjoy the benefits. 🙂
At the meeting, it was agreed that a plea be made for volunteers to help devise some trails radiating from Alice Holt Forest. This can be done in your own time. It would be easier for people to e-mail me directly for more details (see my profile for address).
A very positive meeting was held yesterday with an official and this will be followed up with proposals.
I'm currently suffering very limited internet access so may not be able to reply to e-mails until beginning of next week.
thomthumb - yes, it can be very frustrating! I used to regularly report very overgrown bridleways but following some trail sanitisation, have stopped doing this. This is one area I am particularly interested in and are therefore hoping that Trailwatch can become involved in this. Naturally this would have to be done in conjunction with HCC.
Hi Cinnamon Girl (Neil Young fan?) I'm a newbie but live in Hampshire . Hope you don't mind me asking but do you often ride around Combe Gibbet & this area ? Part of a club? I live in Whitchurch and looking for some advice & like minded people.
Hello D28boy! Yes, Neil Young fan. 8)
Yes, I know the Combe Gibbet area but don't belong to a club. I sometimes organise Forum Rides in various locations or small group rides. There are a few people on here that live in the vicinity.
There is a Test Valley Tour event in November, starting from Andover I believe, and that will be waymarked. Happy to help with specific route advice.
Me too though mainly his acoustic stuff which I play a little hence my name. Where could I get details of the tour you mention?
There's quite a few guitarists on here!
Check out www.testvalleytour.com
thanx that looks like fun. Think I'll give it a go...maybee see some of you there I'll bring the D28 so you'll recognize me 
Whilst I have your attention:
www.hampshiretrailwatch.co.uk
Link for Shipwright's Way now working.
😀
Would really appreciate some opinions on the following so, please, don't hesitate to post!
There is a very pleasant bridleway at Dockenfield (Eastern side of Alice Holt Forest) that is overgrown. Hampshire Trailwatch have been given a thumbs-up by Surrey County Council to carry out some trail maintenance. 🙂
Now, we can either get stuck into the trail maintenance and have a ride immediately afterwards (have a local to guide). Or go for a ride first and then either do some trail maintenance or pub lunch (I can recommend the pub), or vice versa. This would probably be in November.
We obviously appreciate time is at a premium for people so some feedback on this would be most useful.
Thank you so much. 🙂
Just a little bumpity bump for the afternoon folk on their tea break. 🙂
Sorry if I'm a bit slow but are you asking for volunteers here?
Sorry, I haven't made it clear have I. 😳
Yes, volunteers needed and am trying to find out whether folk are more likely to help if there is also a ride/pub lunch. So please feel free to post up what you would prefer and why.
i might help but i am always busy. when are you thinking of?
what you do is less important than when for me. Cheers.
thomthumb - thanks! Probably November so watch this space.
Hi CG
just a quicky will there be maps of the routes available at Alice Holt or on the Website or do you need to be a member to obtain these?
Cheers
Harrison
Harrison - as I understand it, local Councils are favouring online for cost-cutting reasons. Certainly we are hoping that any routes can be marked up on an information board at Alice Holt.
As yet, routes haven't been decided so if anyone has any input, please get in touch! Currently studying the Definitive Map to see where we can and can't go.
It's only £2 to become a member of Hampshire Trailwatch and you get a bacon bap plus innner tube. Win win. 8)
Thanks for the info I will keep an eye on the web site for updates. I hope that it works as I have ridden the Mach trails in Wales which is a similar thing gives you a great ride without the headache of keep stopping and looking maps and is totally different to the graded trail centre stuff.
Just a wee reminder that the monthly meeting will take place this Monday at The Bluebell in Dockenfield, starting at 6.30 pm. This is just a short distance from Alice Holt. Meeting will last no longer than an hour as everyone is obviously very busy. All welcome.
Updated website and has map link to The Bluebell:
www.hampshiretrailwatch.co.uk
Edit: links broken, please use the following:
A little bump. Meeting tonight, all welcome!
Links are now working. 🙂
We now permission from Surrey County Council to carry out trail maintenance on a bridleway near Frensham Great Pond. SCC will provide some strimmers via their Volunteer Co-Ordinator will be coming along on the first one.
[b]Saturday 13th November at 9.00 am[/b] here:
It will only take an hour to strim this lovely bridleway that runs from Frensham Manor to Frensham Great Pond. It would obviously be appreciated if a few people could turn up to help. 🙂
Oops! The arrow on the map is a parking area near Frensham Pond Hotel. The bridleway is just a few metres away.
Hopefully will be able to help out with this.
The section of that bridleway closest to Frensham Manor becomes a bogfest in winter, doubt there's much you can do about that though although a review of the drainage might be in order.
Yes, it was only slightly boggy on Tuesday but we've had a reasonably prolonged dry spell.
It will inevitably deteriorate as it gets almost no sunlight, and seems to have missed out on the otherwise ubiquitous free-draining Frensham sand!
Anyway, we can discuss it with the SCC rep on the day and see if there's anything we can do.
allthepies - yes, I can imagine. However, the relevant person from SCC is aware of it and is on his 'to do' list. We will not be able to help with that but we do have some strimming to do. 🙂
I shall probably be over there at the weekend for more exploration!
Just to emphasise that joining up to Hampshire Trailwatch places you under no obligation to get involved in anything.
Naturally it would be great if you do want to become involved but there won't be bullying from me if you don't. 😆
The more people that pay £2 and join Hampshire Trailwatch means the more influence we can have. 8)
Is the trail maintenance at Frensham still going ahead on Saturday?
I was promised documentation by e-mail and that wasn't forthcoming. Will phone them this afternoon.
I thought the section from Frensham Manor to Great Pond was fairing the weather well when I rode it last week. It's been much worse in previous years, but it has rained a lot in the last week.
Interested in the meetings, but 6:30 is a really difficult time for me due to having kids, if it was an hour or so later it would be much easier to get to.
<hijack>
I regularly ride this and surronding area's with a group of friends normally Tuesday nights, all welcome.
</hijack>
OK, trail maintenance is a go-go for 9.00am this Saturday 13th November [b]PROVIDED[/b] the inspection tomorrow by the Co-Ordinator does not throw up any H & S issues due to current weather conditions.
Unless posted otherwise, please assume this is still going ahead.
It will not take long, we will only concentrate on one bridleway.
For parking, there is a layby and this will be the meet point:
Look forward to seeing you on Saturday. 🙂
Just a wee bumpity bump in case this hasn't been seen. 🙂
call me petty, but....
is it just me or does everybody struggle to when see the blue links on the dark green backgrounds?
Assume no problems from the inspection?
Just to advise that the Co-Ordinator has confirmed that it will be safe for us to venture on the bridleway although it is apparently very muddy!!
If there is not sufficient space to park in the layby, head towards the Frensham Pond Hotel and there are spaces on the right hand side. If you park furthest away from the Hotel,ie opposite the pond, it should be OK.
Well, what a pleasant morning spent tidying the trails. 8)
The horse-riding fraternity were most appreciative [s]but failed to volunteer for any future trail clearing[/s].
I must say that it was really quite therapeutic brandishing tools, definitely recommended!
It's nice to put something back ...