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.....I'm assuming the restricted areas round these parts are easily identifiable (red flags/fences etc) so it would be pretty hard/stupid to accidently end up in the 'danger area' being shot at 😯
Yeah, you'll be fine. There's a shedload up there too. Are you local?
www.tunnelhilltrolls.co.uk
(the area you're talking about is Frith and/or Porrigepot Hill. Tunnel Hill is the next one along!
Regualr evening/weekend rides and all sorts of other shennanigans
Thanks PP,
Have just moved to GU21 and it looks about 4-5 miles from me along the canal, so it makes them my local trails I guess - will take a pootle over there sometime and when more settled in mebbe check out some group rides.
😀
Ahh. I see. There's a helluva lot of singletrack in that area, and there's other areas to ride to - Minley Manor, Ceasars Camp in Aldershot, Hawley Woods/Yately Heath, Ash Ranges....
I'm going to start doing Friday afternoon (5.30, on my way home) rides round TH/PP/FH soon if you're around at that time?
hilldodger, I work in Brookwood, and sometimes go off along the canal to Tunnel and Porridgepot after work.
It's actually perfectly possible to do a big loop taking in some of Swinley Forest as well, staying mostly offroad.
Hmmm, just spent lunchtime GoogleEarthing and the possibilities are looking good 😀
Pete, I usually finish early Friday (4-ish) so I may be able to do Friday afternoons.....
I'm in for Friday afternoons as well! Although probably not this Friday as i've the afternoon off so will be playing in Swinley.
There's an absolute shedload to ride round there. I'm leading a ride up there in a couple of months, and although I know all the trails, I'm usually following someone else so I need to get out and learn it for myself.... I'm going to start tomorrow.
I'll be coming up from the Ash direction. Whereabouts do you come in from?
it's rubbish, don't bother 8)
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another GU2 rider here happy to show you round.
GU21 - you on Goldsworth Park?
guys, if youre doing any rides round that way drop a thread on the forum before or soemthing if you'd be so kind!!
im a GU21 boy, i use the canal everyday for work, its be good to see whats hidden in them there trees!!
GU21 - you on Goldsworth Park?
😀 yup....
I'll be riding at the weekend, based in GU22, so just up the canal from you. Give us a mail at ewan at ewanpanter dot co dot uk if you're bored.
Thanks PP,
Have just moved to GU21 and it looks about 4-5 miles from me along the canal, so it makes them my local trails I guess - will take a pootle over there sometime and when more settled in mebbe check out some group rides.
welcome to GU21! yer those woods are easy to get to via the canal... though watch for walkers worth getting a bell
though doubt i'll be out as i have tiling and a ceiling to finish!
Canal's better for going back when you've knackered yourself out on TH / Frith / Porridgepot - it's flat and even the locks are with you.
I used to do a loop from GWP that took me up to Bisley, around the bottom end of Chobham ridges, into Ligh****er / Qinetiq and up to the top corner by here.
Then turn left for TH/FH/PP or right for Swinley.
Tunnel Hills Trolls are the guys for this area, but tend to do most of their riding mid week, and at nights. Not too bad if you have the lights (you'll still need them to get home at the very least even with the lighter nights).
I live very close to Tunnel Hill, and reckon I've got this area cracked - certainly to make a 2 - 3 hr loop, depending on speed.
If anyone fancies it, let me know and I'd be happy to lead a ride.
Get orff my land you lot!!!!! Army Only!! By kind permission only.
The Wardens and Police are starting to take names of MTBers with a view to prosecution as NOBODY is aloud off the main tracks etc.
This is mainly due to illegal Jump/Trail Building and Arsonists!!
Been Warned!!!!
Not that good anyway.
Cap'n Pants - you serious?
I sure is, the MOD are looking at fencing all land off, like Sandhurst Ranges and Pirbright Ranges, access by booking and invitation only.
Does this also affect the usual trails at Tunnel/Frith/Porridge? There aren't any signs about.
Just been txting Pants. Seems serious.
[b]The signs are all over the place[/b], take a look and have a read of the big white and yellow signs scattered all over the place and at the main entrance points on TH/PPH/FH
so how recent is this? I didn't see anything at PPH last sunday?
The signs have always been there, but no one bothers to read them! They are going to be enforcing it V shortly, a special team of Police on Quads/Mbikes have been training on the DERA test track and the MOD wardens have been on Cse's etc.
I know it sounds harsh but the MOD have had enough of the Land abuse which goes on and it seems to be on the increase.
What do you mean land abuse ?
I've been going up TH for a while now, and I have't seen anything that I would call land abuse. I know there's been a fire up near Frith (?) today but surely this hasnt been put down to some tw#t playing with matches already ?
And what, if they are going to put a stop to MTBing would you be prosocuted for (I dont read the signs either - sorry) ?
Hardly ever see wardens on Ash Ranges / Tunnel Hill and as for the police being interested - yeah right!
Si - you mention Sandhurst, where exactly please? There are some bridleways over the RMA side [s]plus the odd cheeky trail[/s]
Thank you so much ... aaaaaarrrrrrrgggggggghhhhh 😆
The signs are circa 1980s and require people to stick to the main tracks (probably due to risk of unexploded ordnance). In over 18 years of riding the area I've only once been "told" I shouldn't be there and that was some ex-army numpty walking his dogs.
Are we talking MX'ers here?
LAND ABUSE=: Riding your bike off main tracks. Starting Fires. Dogs off Leads. Digging and building jumps. Dropping Litter. Building trails. I could go on.[b]allthepies[/b] you will see them one day!
Its been in the pipelines for some time,(fence) its all about Money, No Civvies on MOD Land means NO Court Cases and No payement for putting fires out etc..
I wait to see said police bombing round on quads/MX's bollocking middle aged blokes riding around on mountain bikes 🙂
Oh yes I forgot those people on M/bikes..Maybe you will get stopped by some numpty regulars and hopefully by myself LoL!!!!
Its all about Litigation and MONEY!!!!!!
Some of the jumps and drops etc have been built by the army cycling club
pants - so you're for chucking bikers off the army land ? 😯
No Jumps and drops! Only Bridges etc and they are official
So the Troll Bridge stays?
But dogs off leads? That's a bit OTT surely?
If it's about litigation then someone could easily hurt themselves on the ACU bridges. OK for ACU to build, not OK for kids - Double standards ?
I've always adopted the approach on MOD land that if a path exists, it's usable. To prevent people riding on 'heritage' trails would be very harsh imho. But equally I can see that further extension of the trail network can't be allowed to continue unchecked; nor can widespread building of jumps and shore.
Twice I've actually discovered fires and called the brigade out. One on the top of Ash Ranges nr the clay pigeon ranges. And one on Barossa. I reckon they should give me an official armband and I'll do fire patrols for them.
As for littering. majority seems to be flytippers, or tonnes of empty AB Biscuit wrappers (surely no-one eats those?)
If we get stopped can we mention we're all friends with pants??
NO cos it keeps getting me in trouble!!!
CG. Dogs are supposed to be kept under control at all times!!!!
NO double standards at all, they are insured for Military use only!!!!
Guys and Gals at the end of the day you are all, uninvited guests on MOD Land, so please treat it with respect, as you would expect your land to be treated!
Then hopefully these sanctions will be reviewed, its up to us to POLICE what we love and not turn a blind eye to what the minority are spoiling!!!
OK; so
The Wardens and Police are starting to take names of MTBers with a view to prosecution
I just looked up the Bylaws. Max fine £500 and forfeiture of the contravening article to Madge. 😯
She's too small to ride an 18.5".
I'll ask again, in all seriousness. If i was out riding on TH trails, just like I have been for the last 15 years, am I *REALLY* suddenly at risk of being detained, fined and having my bike confiscated? Or just reminded politely that I should stick to the path, stay out of the way of soldiers, and not make any silly jumps?
So what's the latest on the 'Ban' - I was planning to go there last w/e but heard there were closures due to a fire so I can see why access may be restricted, will I get bother if I try for a pootle on Sunday I'm not planning anything other than 'obvious' trails....
One thing to remember is that this is no longer MOD land. It was sold off a year or so ago to a private contractor who is much more focussed on rules and regs than the MOD ever were.