TRF, GLC etc?

[RD.]

Firstly, I take this opportunity to state that this post is not to incite trouble or cause any problems, it is merely to ask you all for your unbiased opinions and or experiences.

I am interested in joining a club where like-minded individuals get together to ride some lanes, boats etc, to have fun, enjoy the ride and company of those I ride with.

Happy to join and pay to support a club who help keep the lanes, byways open for us all to use and help fight against legislation and councils who aim to close our Rights of Way.

Value for money is also important, so monthly or quarterly mags are good and a source of info. Any other benefits and discounts would be welcome indeed.

I am a forum member of the Trail Riders Fellowship (TRF) but not a paid up subscribed member as yet.

This afternoon I read the home page on the Green Lane Crew (GLC) website and they paint a different picture of the TRF.
The TRF may or may not have issues with the GLC but before I decide, please express your unbiased opinions and experiences of all clubs (TRF, GLC etc) who participate in this activity.

Lastly, as an aside; Having owned a couple of Ducati bikes in the past, there are several Ducati clubs and forums. I know of at least two Ducati clubs and possibly more who have similar issues with each other - I think this is sad and destructive. If clubs have the same goals and joint interests, together they would have a stronger voice and be formidable force against proposed legislation.

What are your views, opinions and experiences and why?

If you don't want to post publicly, please send me a PM instead.

Thank you for sharing your opinions and experiences in advance.

 

[Firesorter]

Glc ain't a club, just an Internet forum, some people on there display behaviour that is detrimental to the hobby and not afraid to post without thinking, now the chips are down and lane closure is very much a reality some of the more active members have joined the trf.

I went for a ride with the trf once and was told my bike ( husaberg 450) and my knobbly tyres were unsuitable for greenlaning

Nothing stopping you bring a part of both though and your money helps the fighting fund (allegedly!) though lanes are still closing down at an alarming rate.

 

[Timpo]

Who the feck are Green Lane Crew?

I went for a ride with the trf once and was told my bike ( husaberg 450) and my knobbly tyres were unsuitable for greenlaning

Was that the whole TRF you went out with? I must of been working on that day!

Timpo of North Wales TRF.

 

[Firesorter]

There we're about 10 people, so I guess it was the whole of the trf that actually ride, except you as you were working.

 

[Timpo]

There we're about 10 people, so I guess it was the whole of the trf that actually ride, except you as you were working.

And your Husaberg ain't anything special, so what was the big deal? To add, i find the bikes boring..... Here Timmy Timmy....

 

[RD.]

I went for a ride with the trf once and was told my bike ( husaberg 450) and my knobbly tyres were unsuitable for greenlaning

 

[Timolgra]

And your Husaberg ain't anything special, so what was the big deal? To add, i find the bikes boring..... Here Timmy Timmy....

I hear you

 

[Firesorter]

No big deal on the bike, just as it wasn't steam powered he couldn't understand it, also he hadn't had his daily moan about something, much like you today really.

 

[sergeuk]

The Green Lane Crew are really quite a big internet group in the Chilterns although I only know three guys who ride with them Adam Lee and Ulfhethnar, they are all very nice people but the forum is similar to the KTM forum where some of the content revolves around how they all seem to have f--ked each other members mother / sister most times both , I think in Ten years time most GLC members will evolve into respectable (old) TRF members.


I do not ride with the GLC but have thought about it once or twice but never quite got round to it not for any particular reason, they do seem to run some good trips. I don't ride green lanes where I live as I tried it once on a Saturday morning over the legal lanes behind Tottenhoe which are good tracks but have got a very high demand upon them from dog walkers / cyclists /and in particular horse riders, I think on the 3 miles of lane ridden I killed the engine at least two times for groups of mums with daughters on horses or turned back so as not to startle the horses. I would never want to feel responsible for causing injury to anyone on a horse from the presence of me and my bike so once i completed the route I went back home as I felt that although it was legal, it was inappropriate to ride an enduro bike over green lanes on sunny Saturday mornings in the south east of England. Wales with less population does seem far more suitable.

I have just visited the TRF website and it does not seem from a casual glance to mention much about the fun / pleasure to be gained by joining the TRF this might put off a lot of younger riders, perhaps they could focus more on pleasure and fun to be gained from being a member. The general grumpiness of the site though perversely sucked me in and I joined tonight for a year to see if this club really is miserable enough for me, I doubt it.

 

[force4fun]

One word - Stonehenge

I am in the TRF - the reason, to meet people who want to ride legal lanes, share knowledge and try to keep lanes open.

The byways around Stonehenge is a good example. The TRF (and other interested groups including the druids) battled for a year or two to keep some criticle byways open. It was a legal battle that they won and the local council acknowledged that if they tried to close the lanes they would probably lose in the long run against a well funded and very knowledgable group - the TRF.

So, my £££ membership fee is for that fighting fund and I know they will fight.

I am sure there are plenty of other groups and forum around and that is fine but I think all trail riders should also join the TRF to help fund the legal battles to keep lanes open. If they don't who will?

Of course if you don't care if you go on illegal routes, then why bother - which I am sure will be the view of many unfortunately......

 

[RD.]

I am in the TRF - the reason, to meet people who want to ride legal lanes, share knowledge and try to keep lanes open.

The byways around Stonehenge is a good example. The TRF (and other interested groups including the druids) battled for a year or two to keep some criticle byways open. It was a legal battle that they won and the local council acknowledged that if they tried to close the lanes they would probably lose in the long run against a well funded and very knowledgable group - the TRF.

So, my £££ membership fee is for that fighting fund and I know they will fight.

I am sure there are plenty of other groups and forum around and that is fine but I think all trail riders should also join the TRF to help fund the legal battles to keep lanes open. If they don't who will?

Of course if you don't care if you go on illegal routes, then why bother - which I am sure will be the view of many unfortunately......

Ok, you have persuaded me.................. I have joined the TRF and made a donation.

 

[force4fun]

 

[MarkShelley]

I don't ride green lanes where I live as I tried it once on a Saturday morning over the legal lanes behind Tottenhoe which are good tracks but have got a very high demand upon them from dog walkers / cyclists /and in particular horse riders, I think on the 3 miles of lane ridden I killed the engine at least two times for groups of mums with daughters on horses or turned back so as not to startle the horses. I would never want to feel responsible for causing injury to anyone on a horse from the presence of me and my bike so once i completed the route I went back home as I felt that although it was legal, it was inappropriate to ride an enduro bike over green lanes on sunny Saturday mornings in the south east of England. Wales with less population does seem far more suitable.

It is a shame you don`t feel comfortable riding your local lanes as if they are not ridden it gives fuel to those that would like them re-classified. The quantities of footpaths and bridleways far outweigh the number of legal byways. If walkers want to avoid meeting motorised transport they have many alternatives open to them, and to a lesser extent, so do horse riders. Why should your hobby be any less important than theirs

 

[Timpo]

Ok, you have persuaded me.................. I have joined the TRF and made a donation.

Good.
And i over to you an invite if you ever want to ride in North Wales, give me a shout and we can fit you into a NWTRF ride there.

 

[RD.]

Good.
And i over to you an invite if you ever want to ride in North Wales, give me a shout and we can fit you into a NWTRF ride there.

Thanks for your invite to ride in North Wales with you and NWTRF - I happily accept and will be in touch with you shortly beforehand to arrange it with you.

Last year, while at the Salopian, Paul BHT led a road ride in to Wales, it was excellent and the roads varied; twisties, straights and I loved the mountain roads. The picturesque vista is majestic. I also remember seeing several Red Kites which we don't see that often where I reside.

I loved the reservoir with its unique dam / bridge and the RSPB reserve nearby.

Yes, I'll have some more of that please!

 

[RD.]

 

[RD.]

It is a shame you don`t feel comfortable riding your local lanes as if they are not ridden it gives fuel to those that would like them re-classified. The quantities of footpaths and bridleways far outweigh the number of legal byways. If walkers want to avoid meeting motorised transport they have many alternatives open to them, and to a lesser extent, so do horse riders. Why should your hobby be any less important than theirs

Good point and well said.