Trail Riders Fellowship

[AdamA]

The problem is the term do-able on a GS, it suggests the bike is capable of the job, do-able on a GS with a novice onboard without specialist gear is what I am looking for.

Which part of this are you struggling with?

Hence I used to run regular novice and big bike rides down there as in the dry there are hundreds of miles of easily rideable lanes, even on road rubber. In the wet there is often an easy way round the harder parts.

Yes there are some EXTREMELY slippery tracks when wet, due to the chalk and clay around. There are also some EXTREMELY well drained gravel tracks that are like riding up someone's drive year round.
On Salisbury Plain Training Area the MOD thoughtfully built some graded "all weather" tracks to avoid the plain getting cut up during the winter. The clue is in the name.

Joining the TRF will give you access to the knowledge of which ones to avoid and which ones are OK in the wet. It may even get you a volunteer guide (I could have guaranteed it 3 years ago before I moved up here).

Or you could just stick with the negative vibes.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Which part of this are you struggling with?




Or you could just stick with the negative vibes.

That's Rasher's trademark

 

[johnnyboy]

The problem is the term do-able on a GS, it suggests the bike is capable of the job, do-able on a GS with a novice onboard without specialist gear is what I am looking for.

Some of those pictures do look like the sort of thing I had in mind, but I am guessing they will be pretty sloppy until the summer now.

I may well consider the TRF come summer time

Sometimes in life, you just have to get on with it. Don't let too many doubts enter your mind and go for it. If your unsure of your ability, it may be worthwhile doing an off road training course on a small bike which will give you confidence on the big bike when you get back on it.
We all have to start somewhere and the more you do, the better you will get.
By the way, you can run a GS with TKC's on the road too. That would save you changing tyres all the time.

 

[Possu]

Sometimes in life, you just have to get on with it. Don't let too many doubts enter your mind and go for it. If your unsure of your ability, it may be worthwhile doing an off road training course on a small bike which will give you confidence on the big bike when you get back on it.
We all have to start somewhere and the more you do, the better you will get.
By the way, you can run a GS with TKC's on the road too. That would save you changing tyres all the time.

GS tyres are easy enough to swap yourself at home with minimal effort & cost. I've swapped tyres in a carpark using a couple of levers, a ratchet strap and a cheap 12v compressor. The key to sucess is to practice tyre chaunging at home and not leave it until your first trailside puncture.

 

[daveg]

Particularly "crap" roads that are fun to ride / have nice scenery would be just as welcome.

Ah, you'll be needing to go to Ireland then

 

[Rasher]

No work, no money and no time mean I won't be joining up right now, but I am sure it is worth £40 just to find out where the suitable trails are, I bet I could spend a lot more looking for them myself.

 

[AdamA]

No work, no money and no time man I won't be joining up right now, but I am sure it is worth £40 just to find out where the suitable trails are, I bet I could spend a lot more looking for them myself.

Its worth the £40 just to add to the pot for fighting to keep them open should you ever decide to ride them.
Without the work of TRF members (and the likes of LARA) we would have a lot less to play on now, and possibly none very shortly.
So even if you don't ride them now, its a small investment into your possible future. I haven't been on the dirt in nearly 2 years but I am still a member for that very reason.

 

[Lars1974]

I have just joined again as I want to increase my trail riding this year!!!

 

[Possu]

I have just joined again as I want to increase my trail riding this year!!!

What bike will you be riding?

There's a couple of older guys from Reading area who ride with us regularly, you're welcome to tag along if you don't mind waiting for them occassionally. We normally ride from Wantage, southwest in to Wiltshire and back via Compton to Wallingford area, leaves you not too far from home.

 

[daveg]

What bike will you be riding?

There's a couple of older guys from Reading area who ride with us regularly, you're welcome to tag along if you don't mind waiting for them occassionally. We normally ride from Wantage, southwest in to Wiltshire and back via Compton to Wallingford area, leaves you not too far from home.

They must have been out with you when I wasn't around cos I don't recollect riding with any "older guys"

 

[2gses]

New years day

Pity the weather spoilt the proceedings on our trip out JB, we managed to do another three days, very wet and cold though, i hope you have managed to sort the bike.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Pity the weather spoilt the proceedings on our trip out JB, we managed to do another three days, very wet and cold though, i hope you have managed to sort the bike.

Carb all sorted now

 

[Deleted account 231002001]

Well JB your thread has proved a good recruiting tool, Shaun joined the other day as well

 

[2gses]

Carb all sorted now

Bish Bosh, just some waterproofs to source, any idea what size you will require

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Bish Bosh, just some waterproofs to source, any idea what size you will require

Same girth as you, just a bit taller

 

[Possu]

They must have been out with you when I wasn't around cos I don't recollect riding with any "older guys"

I don't ride with anyone older than you, that's why (not sure who's the youngest out of you, Clive & Martin though?)

 

[Harry Nicholson]

Just learnt that some of the lanes in the North Yorks NP are again under attack , ie Scugdale & Hutton Moor amongst others in the NP. The TRF position I understand is that they will defend any TRF member proscecuted on these lanes if the member so wishes .
Yet another reason the join the TRF.
Your local TRF section will advise members accordingly.
Would it be a good idea if TRF members leading runs ask for donations from non members to enable these lanes to be defended? What do you think?

Cheers

Harry

 

[Timpo]

Would it be a good idea if TRF members leading runs ask for donations from non members to enable these lanes to be defended? What do you think?

It's hard enough getting folk to lead rides as it is.
If they join the TRF, they can also assist the TRF in the fight to keep the routes open. Then for the annual subs they can ride as many time as possible and learn the legal rides.

 

[timeandtide]

Well JB your thread has proved a good recruiting tool, Shaun joined the other day as well

Me too!

 

[brad949]

I've renewed my membership for another year.
Anyother TRF members local to me who ride pogoos