Doug and I had an interesting chat yesterday to a lady in a horse box who was at first a bit irritated to have to stop for our little entourage, but we took the time to let her know she had a rear flat tyre, which she thanked us for and sparked up an interesting and good natured chat. She was obviously a regular user of the lanes on horseback and was not impressed with the damage some irresponsible 4*4 vehicles had caused but she did pass a comment (and it was only a passing comment I might add) that I had often thought about myself, and that was about the central rut that many bikes use.
She commented that a lane with 2 big vehicle ruts and a central rut is difficult to ride on a horse. So it brings me onto wondering whether we shouln't make more effort when a central rut is being formed to either ride more evenly around the ruts or keep to the vehicle ruts? It certainly tests your skills riding in between the ruts!! Food for thought perhaps?
Dan
-- Edited by devondan on Sunday 2nd of May 2010 09:09:47 PM
Makes sense Dan, but the problem is that in the summer months, the hedges/brambles/nettles are very overgrown, plus they camoflage branches, so for ease of use I always use the central reservation.
__________________
Culmstock area - Devon TRF Group member - KTM 690 Enduro
I always do this where possible, just to help with the below factors
1. it makes even wear on the lane 2. helps with stealth mode 3. once there is a big rut in the middle, everyone riding the same route will only make it larger
eight of us cleared 192-065 last yr, we cut it back slightly wider than normal to achieve riding in a different line/route, but we had word that 4x4 traffic were using it, i haven't seen any evidence of this but hey!
so the differcult thing is one goes against the other in some cases...
The woman on the horse could always ride bridleways, shouldn't get the problem then
I stay away from the edge as much as possible - been there, bought the broken finger!
Hidden branch stubs are my mortal enemy now.
Where a central rut hasn't been formed I tried to vary my line as much as I can, once it's there I try to stay out of it - unless it's wet & slipy in which case I feel safer in the rut.
I also sympathise with the woman's opinion but as Wacky says - It's not a bridleway so the lane is allowed to show signs of vehicular use.
Maybe there should be some lanes that have the bridleway status removed as it's too dangerous for horses to use.
I can understand her issue, but as Wacky said whilst the TRF supports access for all, we have legal access to single-digit figures in percentage terms of the entire network, so there's always plenty of other thoroughfares our friends in the equine community can use. It might also be worth pointing out that some of the lanes after a hunt have passed through wouldn't get that churned up in 10 years of vehicular use, but they're on horses so it's OK
I think we might be missing the point here boys, actually a couple of points!
Her stable was on the lane and I guess she has to use it to get to any other bridleways, but the point was a general one not intended to directed to any particular person.
What I'm trying to say is we make a big noise about bikes not causing damage, yet here is someone who thinks differently. She may be wrong, she may not.
I'm not sure theres any particular action we can take, other than acknowledge that it happens and try not to ride a central rut if there is any other option. I know horses can cut up muddy lanes good and proper but when they dry out they are a bit flatter!
I take Rich's concern but to be honest falling off anywhere can do damage and where you ride in the lane ishould be a decision based on safety and the ground conditions. I'm not suggesting we put ourselves at risk -just that we should think about where we ride when we have the choice.
The real point is to acknowledge that a central rut might make horse riding difficult and they have as much right to be on the lanes as we do and furthermore we have on the whole a good relationship with Equestrian users.
Thinking about it, one of the best ways to flatten off a lane would be to put herd of cattle down it, any one got one we can use?!
Dan
-- Edited by devondan on Monday 3rd of May 2010 10:09:56 AM
Well its a good job she still has vehicular access to her stable for her horse box. Lucky for her she is legally able to dr4ive down to it.
As for the central ruts I blame walkers and ramblers. I see no end of them out and about. The destruction they reak upon the lanes is positively outragous with their big clumpy boots and wellies slithering around.
