Trail Riding in Wales

[ktm520]

I quite fancy trying some trail riding in Wales.

Does anyone have any experience of this place :

http://www.cambrianway.com

Is there any interest in a long weekend ?

 

[jon b]

Would that be on your KTM or GS?
The GS might limit the trails available,do you think?
If theres some heavy duty stuff I`d come on me Beta (if your on your KTM)

regards
Jon

 

[ktm520]

Sorry to clarify, as far as I am concerned the GS is for road only.

 

[deefa]

i agree

 

[Bob Jeffries]

Nick Bointon at Llanerchindda Farm is nowadays generally disliked a great deal (he’s hated really) by all locals (he’s an import) and everyone who wants to preserve the use of Rights of Way and the continuation of off-road motor sport.

Whilst he started off with the best of intentions the need to fill his “farm” with paying punters now means telling his guests they can ride virtually anywhere – at their own risk. He’s actually advertising a guided trail ride over a very contentious Right of Way (Monk’s Trod) that’s TRO’d (Traffic Regulation Order) until at least November – anyone riding it will be prosecuted, as it’s constantly being monitored, and the RoW will almost certainly then be lost.

The result is that the Forestry Commission in the area now mount regular surveillance weekend on the local forests (with the help of the police helicopter), some legal track are TRO’d through overuse and others are blocked because the local farmers have had enough.

If you just want to ride off-road in Wales it’s OK, if you have a conscience and want to be able to ride off road in 5 years time stay clear of Llanerchindda.

Rant over

 

[(RIP) Geriatric Germ]

Hay on Wye

Just spent a great weekend at Baskerville Hall Hotel (also Camping) with pool, sauna, bars etc. pony trekking and a GINORMUS forest attatched with some SERIOUS off roading tracks and nearby Bye Ways (one Hill took two hours to get every body Knackered and to the top)
Have a look.
www.baskervillehall.co.uk

Most were enduro type, but there were R100GS's (one with panniers, mirrors and screen!), F650 Funduro, F650GS, from novices (me) to world travellers. Well recommend it

 

[kwh]

Farmers shouldn't be blocking byways...

...and when they do, they shouldn't be surprised if people (legally) take the easiest route round the obstruction, or demolish it. The Rights of Way are just that, Rights. It is sheer hypocrisy for police, councils, ramblers and landowners to complain about irresponsible offroading while condoning the obstruction of any of the very limited number of rights of way open to trail riders.

When I think of RoW like Strata Florida, you could drive a chieftan tank along that and not cause any damage, and the same is true of many other byways. I suspect it's the same old problem of eejits with unsilenced bikes disturbing the peace, and then wheelying up and down over the fragile remains of an iron age hill fort or two. But last I heard, the Monks trod TRO was being lifted for motorcycles in the mid summer months because it was dry enough to be ridden.

In addition, Southern Welsh highways authorities seem to regard the information that a farmer has blocked a byway as good grounds for a TRO, rather than for bollocking the farmer and repairing the Byway...

 

[Bob Jeffries]

It's easy to be simplistic about the rights and wrongs, but that will just get the few remaining RoW's closed.

The farmers I'm speaking of have been very welcoming to motorcyclist for many years but when very large groups of bikes ride repeatedly up and down the same track every weekend they get a little p*ssed off, as would most people. They generally welcome the reasonable use of the RoW’s as it does bring money into the area; it’s the overuse they object to.

Incidentally the TRO on Monks Trod has been extended to at least November 2004.

Riders staying at Nick's place do ride legal RoW’s but they are also riding where they shouldn’t and illegally through the local forests after allegedly being told, by Nick, that it's OK (I come across them every so often and that’s what they tell me). This will result in the demise of off-road riding and motor sport; either believe it or stick your head in the sand and wait for it to happen.

For the last 30 years I have spent too much time riding and organising events in and around Llandovery and get to see both sides. The increasing commercialisation of Trail Riding over the last 5 years in particular has put enormous strain on the limited RoW’s available. Some, but not all, are slowly but surely being destroyed through overuse by all forms of recreational users including walking, horse riding, mountain biking, 4 x4 and of course Trail Riding.

On the upside, there are still some areas available for off-road use and in October I’ll be running a 2-Day GS friendly (ish) event based in Llandovery that will have a 120+ mile lap each day (all legal and approved) and May 2005 I’m organising a very GS friendly Rally of Discovery based at the Baskerville Hotel at Clyro and have already looked at the woods next to the Hotel with a view to running other events there.

 

[(RIP) Geriatric Germ]

and May 2005 I’m organising a very GS friendly Rally of Discovery based at the Baskerville Hotel at Clyro and have already looked at the woods next to the Hotel with a view to running other events there.

Do you mean 'Looked at' or 'Rid 'cos if you want a Track Tester I'm your man, you supply the room, Beer, Food and Wellies and I'm prepared to walk them Tracks if you want to Ride, on a Motor Syckle them Tracks I'll be on me way. Fell off far too many times, got absolutely Knackered, Plastered and failed to chat up even the fattest and ugliest of a group of West Kensington Horsey Types (ended up with the Horse )
Good luck with the running of it though. Should sort the GSers out from the Tossers

 

[sorebums]

Bob

Very Interesting...

Can you tell us how to apply for the Cambrian in October and the Rally of Discovery?


Simon and Georgie

 

[Bob Jeffries]

The Cambrian Rally is on October 23 & 24, I will be reserving some rides for UKGS'ers, especially you pair Simon & Georgie, and will post a message when the entry forms are available - anyone wanting a set emailed can just send me an email asking so that I can just "reply".

The RoD next May will be over the Bank Holiday weekend at the beginning of May, again I'll post a message when the entry forms are available, and again anyone can send me an email so that I can simply "reply".

Details of both events will also be posted on my web site.

 

[sorebums]

Thanks Bob

We'll plan to be at both. I'll have to buy a new dirt tyre if I'm to exceed 20mph on the dirt ;-)


Simon

 

[Spout]

Tongues optional

 

[sorebums]

Paul

Better to have my tongue hanging out than............



Simon