Best Byways

[DollyRocket]

It looks like this may turn out to be a contentious thread which I was never expecting it to be.

I agree with posters and also feel that putting a thread of grid references on to a public board will be the absolute worst thing we could do.

What I was hoping to glean from the people here was.... If I happen to have a weekend free coming up soon where the wife was going on a hen do so I could go to anywhere in the UK to do a bit of trail riding / exploring... Where should I go? Cornwall, Wiltshire, Beacons, Northumberland etc ... I don't want anything too specific, perhaps something like, Buy OS map xyz and have a bimble around the lanes shown on the bottom right hand corner.....

I struggle to make some of the ride-outs with the TRF and so most of mine are ad-hoc at very short notice (usually the day before, so I am unable to arrange with any other riding mates apart from the odd stalwarts).

 

[The Reverend]

It looks like this may turn out to be a contentious thread which I was never expecting it to be.

I agree with posters and also feel that putting a thread of grid references on to a public board will be the absolute worst thing we could do.

What I was hoping to glean from the people here was.... If I happen to have a weekend free coming up soon where the wife was going on a hen do so I could go to anywhere in the UK to do a bit of trail riding / exploring... Where should I go? Cornwall, Wiltshire, Beacons, Northumberland etc ... I don't want anything too specific, perhaps something like, Buy OS map xyz and have a bimble around the lanes shown on the bottom right hand corner.....

I struggle to make some of the ride-outs with the TRF and so most of mine are ad-hoc at very short notice (usually the day before, so I am unable to arrange with any other riding mates apart from the odd stalwarts).

That wasn't what you stated in your original post, though. You said you wanted to compile a list of the best ones.

 

[Losttheplot]

It looks like this may turn out to be a contentious thread which I was never expecting it to be.

I agree with posters and also feel that putting a thread of grid references on to a public board will be the absolute worst thing we could do.

What I was hoping to glean from the people here was.... If I happen to have a weekend free coming up soon where the wife was going on a hen do so I could go to anywhere in the UK to do a bit of trail riding / exploring... Where should I go? Cornwall, Wiltshire, Beacons, Northumberland etc ... I don't want anything too specific, perhaps something like, Buy OS map xyz and have a bimble around the lanes shown on the bottom right hand corner.....

I struggle to make some of the ride-outs with the TRF and so most of mine are ad-hoc at very short notice (usually the day before, so I am unable to arrange with any other riding mates apart from the odd stalwarts).

Ok, how about a slightly different way of providing a solution.

There is a wealth of experience on this forum, those that know where to go etc.

Instead of published routes, how about a published list of forum members that are prepared to guide around their own patches?

this would be down to those that wish to guide, but it would also allow them to exercise some control around known sensitive areas- (the kind of detail you won't get told on a map- like a little ettiquette when riding across someone;s front garden?) and also allow those individuals to help preserve their local lanes...

I know it won't offer as much freedom as having a marked up map, but to be honest, if you were on salisbury plain, unless you know the place, a marked map won't be much use anyway with all the unofficial tracks and trails around....i've been over there for around 10 years now, and i'm still finding new routes.

I'm quite happy to put my name down for west hants and salisbury plain just to get the ball rolling, just give me a chance to get my bike back together before flooding me with requests

Nathan

 

[bakerlonglegs]

....
I grab a couple of hours when possible, but am limited to what I've found in the O/S, which isn't very much, work and kids permitting.

So unless upon joining the TRF I get access to online maps etc all I'm actually doing is donating money?

Josh

Hi Josh,

I live near WGC and am a member of the TRF.

Herts TRF meets on the second Wednesday of every month, in WGC (more information and contact details here). They typically run a couple of rides a month, one of which is usually the weekend after the group meeting. The rides usually start from Stevenage or Hatfield around 9:30 on a Saturday or Sunday, and can last all day. However, riders do drop out during the ride and head home, due to family commitments or whatever, so you could do the same if time is tight. If you join the TRF, the regional coordinator will add you to an email circulation list for ride notices.

 

[DollyRocket]

OK - Misunderstanding or bad wording on my part (not the first time)..

That wasn't what you stated in your original post, though. You said you wanted to compile a list of the best ones.

I want a list for ME! Almost like the 10 best byways to ride. There are some groups at the TRF that are much more accessible than others - It has taken me three years to get on my local group email circular (only by finding out there was my local rep on bakermans rideout at Christmas) Hence why I look elsewhere for information and guidance.

I think Nathans Idea is a splendid one, I have been on a number of rides with him out and try to remember many of the trails for when I go out for a run myself. Equally though, I struggle to understand the complete secrecy that seems to be manifesting itself about these legal routes - they are on an OS map after all. Clive (from this forum) and I in the past (separately) have photographed many byways around Hampshire and put them as threads on this forum for others to gauge whether they think it would be suitable for them, no-one has complained that these routes are now 'more public' than they were previously.

I think this thread is now diverting to 'should this information be freely available' which we can debate, but ideally, it would be good to find out the best region to head for to ride some nice lanes

 

[The Reverend]

You make a valid point, DR. I hadn't looked at it that way.

The TRF is simply a group of enthusiasts that gather together for a common purpose, like any other group, or club. By paying an entry fee to the Club, what do you get for your money?

The knowlege of which lanes are best/accessible/miss-out-farmer-palmer etc are at the heart of this, and yet as you say the information is in the public domain, so why join them?

The reason is because it's a short cut. We live in a world where information can be found through many more avenues than it ever was, and we have come to expect that if we pay for something we want it asap.

Problem is, a lot of information is personal & anecdotal, so what would be a pain in the ass for me may not be for you, and it is this information that you seek along with exactly where those lanes are.

Time taken to visit the local County Hall for a chat with the RoW officer over the Definitive Map will always be beneficial, but it's that time thing again.

What you require is a drop down menu or a weblist, and if it were available so would I, but it ain't and never will be because of the fear of getting it wrong and possibly being dragged to court or RoW hearings.

Ultimately, your quest will need some investment of your time and you may just be able to put together something yourself. Whether or not YOU share it is down to you, and there may be a commercial opportunity within this, but I'm afraid there is little chance of a shortcut.

I mentioned earlier about public perception of riders on lanes. Most of the TRF member ride machinery akin to barely road legal competition machinery along with kit that covers faces, and I accept that for many it's a comfort/safety compromise, but back in the days when I ran the trail riding column in MCN I ran an MZ for a few months & the difference in attitude shown to me was amazing. People didn't feel threatened.

I wish you luck in your quest for some routes, I'd love to be able to potter about on Salisbury Plain, but I'd have to dig out something really old such as the Enfield or an outfit to do it on. It's great to think that people will run it on a huge GS

 

[bakerlonglegs]

+1 to what the Rev said.

One other point: the TRF are committing funds all the time to fighting lane closures in all parts of the country. Even if the TRF is not the sort of organisation you'd like to actually ride with, or you don't have the time, or whatever the reason, if you like green laning and would like to see it continue they are an organisation it is very worthwhile supporting.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

You make a valid point, DR. I hadn't looked at it that way.

The TRF is simply a group of enthusiasts that gather together for a common purpose, like any other group, or club. By paying an entry fee to the Club, what do you get for your money?

The knowlege of which lanes are best/accessible/miss-out-farmer-palmer etc are at the heart of this, and yet as you say the information is in the public domain, so why join them?

The reason is because it's a short cut. We live in a world where information can be found through many more avenues than it ever was, and we have come to expect that if we pay for something we want it asap.

Problem is, a lot of information is personal & anecdotal, so what would be a pain in the ass for me may not be for you, and it is this information that you seek along with exactly where those lanes are.

Time taken to visit the local County Hall for a chat with the RoW officer over the Definitive Map will always be beneficial, but it's that time thing again.

What you require is a drop down menu or a weblist, and if it were available so would I, but it ain't and never will be because of the fear of getting it wrong and possibly being dragged to court or RoW hearings.

Ultimately, your quest will need some investment of your time and you may just be able to put together something yourself. Whether or not YOU share it is down to you, and there may be a commercial opportunity within this, but I'm afraid there is little chance of a shortcut.

I mentioned earlier about public perception of riders on lanes. Most of the TRF member ride machinery akin to barely road legal competition machinery along with kit that covers faces, and I accept that for many it's a comfort/safety compromise, but back in the days when I ran the trail riding column in MCN I ran an MZ for a few months & the difference in attitude shown to me was amazing. People didn't feel threatened.

I wish you luck in your quest for some routes, I'd love to be able to potter about on Salisbury Plain, but I'd have to dig out something really old such as the Enfield or an outfit to do it on. It's great to think that people will run it on a huge GS

+1

No such thing as a short cut on this stuff, it may be on the OS map (more often than not, it ain't or if it is it ain't correct, because an OS map isn't the Definitive map)

Been out to do some lanes this afternoon (3 or 4 in fact) on the way to Helmsley for an icecream in the market place, to break up the tarmac boredom

I defy you to find them, if I gave you an OS map of the parish, sure they are shown - all differently, but are marked historically with no clue in the map legend to their ancient status (that's where the Definitive map comes in)

So you have an OS map, but no clues

Take said OS map and find said 4 lanes, for real

2 are completely hidden at both entrance and exit, you would ride past them a dozen times, trying to find where to go

Nathan's suggestion of ride leaders is fine and I'm willing to partcipate for Yorkshire, 'as and when'.........................but you'll be told to turn off your GPS when we start

The info really is that sensitive

 

[Deano800]

I hear what everyone is saying here...... However..... I've got a GS and fancy using it on some lanes 'cos I can'... Which aint primarily what I bought it for, but hey, I'll try anything twice! So I've never ridden offroad and don't know where to start.
Then I find this thread.
Minefield! Cos all I was looking for was a list of lanes I might be able to ride.
Which gets me thinking should I bother... Which I think is a shame, because I really want to have a bimble down some lanes on my pride and joy.
After all I was NEVER gonna do it on a ZX6 was I..???

So, what do I do...?

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

So, what do I do...?

Keep an eye out, I'll organise a green lane rideout in NYorkshire in the near future, suitable for big GS's

How's that?

 

[Deano800]

Sounds like a plan!

I'd best get some crash protection fitted!

 

[Timpo]

Has anyone mentioned 'Trailwise'? If not, google it.... And if you are a TRF member, you can get free access.

Timpo.

 

[MickDB1]

Sounds like a plan!

I'd best get some crash protection fitted!

get it fitted to yerself as well as yer bike

I will do a runaround around peak district if there is interest, but as we do them anyway

 

[jonnywave]

Oh yes

Has anyone mentioned 'Trailwise'? If not, google it.... And if you are a TRF member, you can get free access.

Timpo.

+1 The National Catalogue of Rights of Way.

 

[MarkShelley]

I hear what everyone is saying here...... However..... I've got a GS and fancy using it on some lanes 'cos I can'... Which aint primarily what I bought it for, but hey, I'll try anything twice! So I've never ridden offroad and don't know where to start.
Then I find this thread.
Minefield! Cos all I was looking for was a list of lanes I might be able to ride.
Which gets me thinking should I bother... Which I think is a shame, because I really want to have a bimble down some lanes on my pride and joy.
After all I was NEVER gonna do it on a ZX6 was I..???

So, what do I do...?

I wouldn`t want to take a GS on the lanes near me.
You could buy a bike for laneing for less money than it will take you to fix you GS when you drop it.

 

[The Reverend]

I hear what everyone is saying here...... However..... I've got a GS and fancy using it on some lanes 'cos I can'... Which aint primarily what I bought it for, but hey, I'll try anything twice! So I've never ridden offroad and don't know where to start.
Then I find this thread.
Minefield! Cos all I was looking for was a list of lanes I might be able to ride.
Which gets me thinking should I bother... Which I think is a shame, because I really want to have a bimble down some lanes on my pride and joy.
After all I was NEVER gonna do it on a ZX6 was I..???

So, what do I do...?

It's that shortcut thing again...and all you require has been said already...so read again but take a little longer this time

 

[Deano800]

It's that shortcut thing again...and all you require has been said already...so read again but take a little longer this time

I hear what your saying Reverend, and I agree. Sitting on a laptop being spoonfed isn't gonna replace getting on a bike and falling off, but, a helping hand in the right direction isn't a bad thing either.
Like most things in life, when you step out of your comfort zone it's scary at first... but generally, some kindly words of encouragement from a more experienced 'old hand' helps you take that first baby step to something new and (hopefully) exciting!

I think....

 

[The Reverend]

I hear what your saying Reverend, and I agree. Sitting on a laptop being spoonfed isn't gonna replace getting on a bike and falling off, but, a helping hand in the right direction isn't a bad thing either.
Like most things in life, when you step out of your comfort zone it's scary at first... but generally, some kindly words of encouragement from a more experienced 'old hand' helps you take that first baby step to something new and (hopefully) exciting!

I think....

In which case, get it on the brown stuff & cane it - you'll soon find out where that comfort zone boundary is

Or decide upon an area, buy an OS map, and go have a look. If you're wrong, someone will tell you & if they don't see you, nowt to worry about

 

[Timolgra]

Keep an eye out, I'll organise a green lane rideout in NYorkshire in the near future, suitable for big GS's

How's that?

Ha. Only go on a GS trail ride if the leader is riding one

 

[Josha]

Well...... As the shortcuts were not forthcoming (Thankfully), I went out and bought myself the O/S maps for Herts and have spent way to many hours (According to the other half) studying the definitive map online and playing with highlighter pens on the O/S and chatting to the ROW officers for Herts.

The result has been 2 days of exploring the Herts byways on my GS800. I've had great fun and now have a route/loop of approx 40 miles which I have ridden 3 times over the last 2 days, as well as lots of random byways.

It becomes quite obsessive looking online and on maps etc for routes, very OCD.

Still loads more to explore and would be good to have some company for a bimble, so I'll keep an eye out on here for ride-outs.

I was also happy not to have fallen off/crashed over the last 2 days, but after watching spadzik15's (Off here, 'Pole' i think) youtube vid's of him and co riding the Herts byways I realized the reason why I hadn't fallen, 'I ride like a big girl's blouse'!!