I have noticed in a few posts the terms off road it doesnt matter who why or where..
Can we please refrain from using the word off road on posts that are being replied too or posted as please.
We do not ride off road at all,
Every single lane, rough road, we ride are all legal and researched by the trf , they are all classified some how, either a byway, unclassified county roads.
You probably dont think it matters much but this is a open forum (looked at by anyone)
I dont wont this taken the wrong way its just an observation from my point.
Teaching Grandma to suck eggs here (or whatever the phrase is), but I think the point Wacky's putting across is to make it clear to those reading the forum who either don't ride motorcycles or aren't members of the TRF (or both!) that we don't ride wherever we like - we stick to legal "green lanes" which is excatly what you're saying TJ. The distinction might be important for those not in the non-green laning community who may see other riders on non-legal routes and incorrectly associate them with the TRF.
If the public (if indeed they are watching) get used to the idea that we are indeed riding legal roads then it might help in the fight to convince the public that we have a right to be there.
I think lane is best word for the job - after all it is a lane, a green lane, although that word has also been caught up in the battle and will no doubt soon be a dirty word
So what say we simple refer to them as lanes?
Off road is used only for events on private land.
I know it's frustrating TJ but this sort of thing is what fuels the media and the public.
If you want to call them what you want then feel free. If you have no objection to not calling the lanes "off-road" then please call them lanes.
As TJ said, it's more important to actively attract new members and show what we do, and how we're doing it legally. Last thing we want to do as a group is get all worked up about terminology.
I had a nice chat with a couple of lady ramblers last weekend and they were appreciative of our group and also that we seek to stop other riders using non-legal lanes.
all i was doing was making an observation on posts.
the word off road cropped up, no one rides off road and i for one have enough trouble trying to convince people i know through various walks of life that i ride legally. people dont realize there are un metalled roads out there, albeit mud, roots, rocks, puddles they are all un metalled with different classification!
if you ride the roads/lanes weather trf or not surely its nice to educate people who dont know what you do and put them right? and therefore it will pass on to others and hopefully build better relations with other people who aren't in our Hobie/activity?
all i was mearly saying if its posted up here as "off road" what chance as anyone got of trying to pass on the knowledge correctly or if reading these posts!
didn't mean to upset anyone .......
right i'm off to clean me bike after riding it wed eve, greenlaning, rough roading, county roading, etc etc ......
roads are muddy, and have water, there are roots on them too, i ride all these but they are not off road they are on a county road. why would it put people of joining the trf this is why they have joined to find the legal routes, and to find new people to ride with, thats what you do tj meet and encourage new people to ride with you and also join, then you explain to them everything you do is leagal - yes.
right i'm off to clean me bike after riding it wed eve, greenlaning, rough roading, county roading, etc etc ......
Oi - get it right Wacky - "green roads"
yes i can vouch for that they are green i got close enough wed eve to verify this.. ouch , thats what the green stuff looks like close up after a badger incident
Good point Wacky and it is in fact covered in section 34 of the road traffic act 1988 under "Prohibition of driving motor vehicles elsewhere than on roads". By saying we are off road we are in effect saying we are breaking the law. I don't know if I have said that I do in any post, but will strive not to in the future. Cheers Rob Link to road traffic act 1988 look at section 34 http://www.opsi.gov.uk/Acts/acts1988/ukpga_19880052_en_3#pt1-pb8-l1g34
TJ - the problem is the inference. If we say "off road", no matter what we may actually mean by that it could be taken by others that we are actually going off road, which is illegal.
If you mean off tarmac then say that. I actually like the term off tarmac as it conjures up the image of a challenging surface to ride on and is an accurate description of a green road.
Yes please - however Wacky is quite right in reminding everyone to be aware of the 'lurkers', who aren't aware of the TRF - and although this is an open forum it is also asssoicated with the Devon Group and the TRF 'Code of Conduct' - which members agree and sign up to when joining the TRF annually.