This is really frustrating - I was trail riding in the IOM both this year and last at the MAnx grand prix and what struck me was the great attitude towards trail riding - sign all the legal lanes and publish the definitive map for all to see, rather than hide it in a council office basement. The lanes themsleves all seemed to be pretty un-eroded with only a few exceptions where they had worn down to bedrock but no further - no hundred yard wide mud baths anywhere. If we can't make the case for responsible trail riding on rights of way here then our pastime has no hope against the 'antis'
Its an ongoing problem in the IOM that the rich gits who moved in when it became a tax haven, along with the retired rich gits, have been putting pressure on the government to do away with all motorbike racing (riding, owning, and anything else that involves having fun) as they want the island for themselves! To date sense has prevailed as the government seem a bit more aware of the long term benefits of tourism versus money managment
Why is it that after years of wanting to go trail riding, when I finally get a suitable bike it gets banned everywhere!