On the back of the recent thread:
It seems that the local press (Farnham Herald), has decided to get involved:
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It's really ramping up down here! The local mtb groups are trying to co-ordinate a response.
Should anyone feel motivated to add their voice then the editorial contact details for the paper are here:
Farnham Herald Editorial contacts
TBF, if the trails are being built on Forestry property without permission then the people that did it should go straight back and make good the mess they have created, not trying to gather support.
The first Pic looks more like camp fire pit/bear trap.
Although I've noticed a lot more anti-social 'bike riding ' recently, mostly e-bikers who wouldn't have the stamina to get to some of these places otherwise.
Seems to be happening all over a a result of lockdown and not being able to travel.
The amount of trails in the woods outside chicksands bike park is crazy, and a load of shonky built stuff too.
Forestry have been in and are now clearing i think.
Just the usual cycle of things and hopefully will improve once the bike parks and travel reopens
Seems to be happening all over a a result of lockdown and not being able to travel.
Yet there aren't any headlines in the papers complaining about the increase in litter, dog mess and 'illegal' trails that walkers have created.
Why surprised? those are the people writing in these rags
Yet there aren’t any headlines in the papers complaining about the increase in litter, dog mess and ‘illegal’ trails that walkers have created.
I am sure there are, but cyclists are more likely to notice anti-cyclist sentiment in the press.
All I can add is what the farken ell does this mean:
"the ever popular site has provided a temporary location to many film crews across the years - but a decision on potential filming has been halted because of on-going debate on the effects to wildlife and the evironment"
Huh?!
(Also, couldn't this go on the end of the other thread if it's a continuation of the discussion?)
Why surprised? those are the people writing in these rags
Not surprised. (And not arguing with you. I just used your quote to point out the increase in people everywhere.)
A local FB group, recently formed, has started proceedings to make a local wood into a SSSI. When I pointed out that this would significantly impact on their ability to let their dogs run and mess in the woods they removed my post. (Their attempt at an SSSI is doomed. they are claiming nesting barn owls and water voles in the many (ex-industrial) waterways. Pity that neither the Barn Owl Society or the water vole one has recorded any sightings at all locally! And I've never seen or heard a barn owl down there, and I'm there an awful lot.)
That's because they mostly come out at night, mostly.
Plenty of shit trail building and "features" round my way too some aided and abetted by parents too (no they didn't know who owned the land when i spoke to them, and no, they didn't understand Duty of Care etc etc - fuxsake).
https://www.instagram.com/trail.police/ is worth a following of only for "if I don't laugh, I'll cry"...
“the ever popular site has provided a temporary location to many film crews across the years – but a decision on potential filming has been halted because of on-going debate on the effects to wildlife and the evironment”
I've ridden and walked through the Bourne Woods for many years - it's pretty well the municipal dog toilet for Farnham and completely devoid of any "wildlife". The "digging" done by bike riders is minimal in comparison to the state major film productions left it in - Robin Hood desolated a whole hillside. Filming does continue locally, but usually a bit more discretely somewhere on the Puttenham Estate, or at Hankley Common as they have better access control.
I’ve ridden and walked through the Bourne Woods for many years – it’s pretty well the municipal dog toilet for Farnham and completely devoid of any “wildlife”. The “digging” done by bike riders is minimal in comparison to the state major film productions left it in – Robin Hood desolated a whole hillside. Filming does continue locally, but usually a bit more discretely somewhere on the Puttenham Estate, or at Hankley Common as they have better access control.
Playing devils advocate - surely that's a 'straw man' argument?
The film crew left it in a mess, so we should be able to ride moto-x and quad bikes everywhere?
How about the film crew pay to undo the mess?
All I can add is what the farken ell does this mean:
“the ever popular site has provided a temporary location to many film crews across the years – but a decision on potential filming has been halted because of on-going debate on the effects to wildlife and the evironment”
Huh?!
From the same paper:
Oh, I see, you've got to read all the articles in their rag before understanding the shit they write. Gotcha!
Always used to like Bourne woods for my once a year visit for the cross country (running) race there just before Chrimbo. The year the course went right next to a film set being put up/pulled down was frankly bizarre.
My view is that digging that causes financial damage to timber crops is unacceptable and should not be condoned as this is clearly criminal damage. Likewise anything that is positioned in a location that is likely to injure a third party is plain daft and shouldn't happen either. Anything that has a significant effect on local wildlife or sensitive habitats is probably illegal. And diggers should respect the wishes of the landowner, if they don't want you, then don't go there.
However, the small scrapes and kickers that I've ridden in these woods for the past 30 years do not cause this level of damage and have always been been tolerated. Rarely in 3 decades has there ever been any issue. However, this sort of low-key riding that countless riders have enjoyed is now being threatened as it is lumped in with big feature building that does cause issues. That worries me.
But what really gets my goat is sensationalist reporting. 'Trails of carnage', 'onslaught of illegal mountain bike trails'. These words will give every misanthropic curmudgeon the impression that they a morally entitled to moan and chastise every kid they see on a mountain bike for the next decade. And all to help sell a few local papers.
It is basically the physical incarnation of gammon clickbait
Yet there aren’t any headlines in the papers complaining about the increase in litter, dog mess
yeah there are..there was a headline just last week about "poo-mageddon" resulting from all the lockdown dogs being bought
Playing devils advocate – surely that’s a ‘straw man’ argument?
The film crew left it in a mess, so we should be able to ride moto-x and quad bikes everywhere?
How about the film crew pay to undo the mess?
Sorry, my point being that it's hardly the wildlife haven that some locals are trying to make it out to be. Nor am I a fan of unauthorised digging, or riding motorbikes on public lands. Yes, there are some SSSIs quite close that do need preserving, but this isn't one
Mattyfez.
Quality lols
Did you type that in a Cartman voice as well?
yeah there are..there was a headline just last week about “poo-mageddon” resulting from all the lockdown dogs being bought
It's so sad, dogs previously being trapped indoors 24/7 going for walks and having poops.
The common denaminator here is Humans, to be more specific, irresposible humans who can't be arsed to pick up thier dogs poops.
Did you type that in a Cartman voice as well?
More specifically, Sheriff Cartman.
Sick edits innit
More n more shonky trails with loads of YouTube wannabes spamming the local riding pages on FB
It's a massive self filling loop of shite
Presumably anyone local complaining about damage to the environment is aware of the condition of Ludshott Common after recent logging? I've seen more pristine countryside in photos of the Somme.
A local FB group, recently formed, has started proceedings to make a local wood into a SSSI. When I pointed out that this would significantly impact on their ability to let their dogs run and mess in the woods they removed my post.
Sadly a lot of people in England will gladly blow their own foot off because they think doing 'x' will deny someone else a bit of fun. When 'x' also means that they lose out too they whinge and moan about it. It really all stems from being joyless sods.
See also Brexit.
Seems to be happening all over a a result of lockdown and not being able to travel.
Which I think is good because of it means more local trails for people. They may not be as good as ones people travel to but something local is always good. Most sanctioned trails started off unofficial.
If it's not SSI and a popular dog walking area it is usually not going to be much of an issue as long as routes take care of pedestrian in paths.
Presumably anyone local complaining about damage to the environment is aware of the condition of Ludshott Common after recent logging
I read that as dogging which bought a completely different and horrible picture to my mind.