Advise for 'gentle off road' near salisbury

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jhock

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Hi,

with any luck in the next week or so I should have 1150GS sitting on the drive!

I would really like to give a little off road a try, I never ridden a motor bike off road.

There are some 'byeways' on near stone henge I would like to try, but I don't know if they are legal to ride.

I did a bit of research and I need to look at the 'definative map', do Wilts council have this on line?

Any help most welcome.
 
Thanks Clive,

that is really handy, I will see if I can get to the coucil office in Trowbridge and have a look.
 
Good man - give it a go, I'm sure you'll love it!

Salisbury and the plain area is a playground for many a GSer and the easier tracks are a great way to learn to ride off-road. If you hang around for a bit there will no doubt be a group ride over that way. Sign up and make it known that you're a newbie and everyone will be more than willing to help out if you drop it - after the obligatory photo taking of course! :D

If you enjoy camping - why not sign up for Bakerman's HogRaost and join the beginner's off-road ride there :thumb2

David.
 
Even if you are experienced, it is not the best idea to go out on your own. Even a slow speed slip could leave you or the bike damaged, so best to wait for some others to ride with. As Ragnar said, the Hograost could be a good introduction for you.
 
DavidJames said:
Even if you are experienced, it is not the best idea to go out on your own. Even a slow speed slip could leave you or the bike damaged, so best to wait for some others to ride with. As Ragnar said, the Hograost could be a good introduction for you.
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You raise a good point, I think I will wait for a ride, I will also need to get some off road(ish) tires as the bike I have just bought (oh yes in week it will be on my drive!) it currently shod with Michelin Road Pilots, which, while I am no expert, I am sure will naff all good on the loose stuff!
 
Hi Mate,
I'm happy to come out with you on some of the more gentle local lanes. I can do most days either weekends or during the week. I don't claim to be an expert by an means, but can show you around and offer some help and tips.

I'm in Pewsey, where are you?

Cheers,
Jon
 
Keep an eye out for trip run by Clive

I have done a couple of trips organised by Clive which are a good intro to offroading and Salisbury Plain. Normally on a Sunday.

If you arrange something with scots jon on a Saturday or one evening I would like to join you Sundays are difficult for me because of family stuff.
 
jhock said:
You raise a good point, I think I will wait for a ride, I will also need to get some off road(ish) tires as the bike I have just bought (oh yes in week it will be on my drive!) it currently shod with Michelin Road Pilots, which, while I am no expert, I am sure will naff all good on the loose stuff!
Click to expand...

David does raise a good point, but there is some stuff you can do around here and get a flavour of off-road - I wouldn't let if put you off having a bit of a noisey about, just make sure that if you are solo riding someone knows where you've gone. There are a lot of hard packed gravel/forest type tracks around here which are perfectly passable in the dry - so much so I came across a guy happily exploring on one of these the last time I was out for a play (road tyres and solo)

One thing I would say about solo riding though - avoid ruts, its very embarassing to have to ask a rambler to help you lift your bike out of one if you end up balancing on the pots
 
LiquidLAN said:
David does raise a good point, but there is some stuff you can do around here and get a flavour of off-road - I wouldn't let if put you off having a bit of a noisey about, just make sure that if you are solo riding someone knows where you've gone. There are a lot of hard packed gravel/forest type tracks around here which are perfectly passable in the dry - so much so I came across a guy happily exploring on one of these the last time I was out for a play (road tyres and solo)

One thing I would say about solo riding though - avoid ruts, its very embarassing to have to ask a rambler to help you lift your bike out of one if you end up balancing on the pots
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What he said.
We were out on the plain all day yesterday and found about two wet patches.
In dry periods such as at the moment you will have no worries at all on road rubber. TBH tho if you take it steady and choose the right tracks (plenty of us can show you them;)) you wont have a problem even in the damp.

These three bikes were all on sports touring rubber:
DSC00684.jpg

DSC00688.jpg

DSC00695.jpg

1453d1206956647-sat-29th-march-wiltshire-green-lane-rideout-novice-big-trailie-friendly-bonny_mod.jpg


and way less suitable for the job than a GS, and still managed ok despite the ground being quite damp in places.
 
LiquidLAN said:
Dont get caught "off track" though ;) you dont want to end up on the wrong side of the land wardens :)
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They are usually fine with it if there is a reason for it (i.e. the track is impassable) and it isn't on the impact area.

If you are simply going off track to have a play tho, look out.:rob
(Btw, believe it or not there is a track there;))
 
jhock said:
Hi,

with any luck in the next week or so I should have 1150GS sitting on the drive!

I would really like to give a little off road a try, I never ridden a motor bike off road.

There are some 'byeways' on near stone henge I would like to try, but I don't know if they are legal to ride.

I did a bit of research and I need to look at the 'definative map', do Wilts council have this on line?

Any help most welcome.
Click to expand...

Have a word with Bakerman.:clap
He goes often, and he lives near Andover, and took me in 2007, had a geat day, you never know he might go with you. :bounce1
 
Thanks for all the advice guys, sadly it will be a little while longer before I get a GS, the one I had put a deposit down on is no longer available. The guy who was selling it took it for last ride and had a big off, he is in hospital in an coma and the GS is no more.

Good news he is showing signs of improvement, which is great as he is top bloke, he is one this site as 'Edmurry'.

His relatives have returned my deposit, which I am gratful for considering how they must feel at the moment.

I am sure you guys will join me in wishing Ed a full and speedy recovery.
 
Take 2!

Now got a GS so if any one is for a bit 'very gentle' off road just PM me, will be on the road from mid week once my insurance cert turns up and I can tax it!
 
I'm going to be walking up lumps of hill and rock in Scotland from Wednesday, but will PM you when I get back.

Cheers,
Jon
 
Count me in

Count me in. I know the plain well, but not through riding, and would be up for any local ride-out.

I recently found and rode a fairly short, but easy and fun route to the south of Warminster which has spectacular views. It would be really good as an intro to riding away from tarmac. I'll post details in another thread later.
 
Right,

bike is taxed and I have got a few miles done and love it!

So up for spot of 'off road', of the very gentle kind, only issue will tyres, I have tourance's, so not sure what these will be like off road.
 
Tourances

For most of the tracks round the Salisbury Plain and down to Shaftesbury you'll be fine in the current weather with tourances. When it gets wet you'll have fun though. With the forecast for a long hot summer I'm going to leave my tourances on and think about something different come the autumn.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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