The last couple of weeks i have been using the mountain bike rather than the XR just due to cash flow etc. But ive been riding the local lanes and woods etc particularly over the Bovey Tracey direction and Heathfield.
Now again today i went to Bovey and when riding to hook up with Heeathfield i took a route that shows a sign for A bridle way (or at least it did last week)
The 'Lane' starts near the pottery roundabout at Bovey and takes you right out to the old candy tiles cottages in Heathfield.
Still with me?
Well ive seen loads of 4x4 tracks (no sing of bike tracks) thorught the entire lane, and today i observed 3 4x4s using this route once i had exited it. And they continue to leave the heathfield end gate open just for this purpose Right, so my questions are,
1. Is this now a BOAT? 2. Are they using it illegally? 3. If we are able to use it what would the number be? 4. If they use it illegally, far be it from me to want to join the 'kiljoy club' but does this sort of use not reflect upon us as the TRF group, by which i mean all 'off road' users being tarred with the same brush. What should be done about it?
Ill say this though, its a cracking little lane withoput any real technical stauff apart from the mud, when it gets wet....the fun will start...
Cheers
__________________
Feath's
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character......give him power".....Abraham Lincoln
Can't help on this one as I really don't know the area that well, however, on my last visit to my local drinking hole I was chatting to a bloke who was telling me all the best lanes round Chard for 4x4ing.
I asked him about the nerc act and he said just stick to the bridleways as horse riders don't tend to give you any grief unlike dog walkers!
Idiot.
They really don't help things to they.
-- Edited by nickpdo on Sunday 26th of September 2010 02:59:05 PM
Accomadation lane goes from Wifford piggery to Heathfield cottages. It is an ex RUPP and is currently a bridleway(and has been for a long time). Not legal to drive but should be. The Heathfield cottages residents have long complained(as NIMBY's do)about the vehicular usage. I used to meet a huge pig snuffling for acorns as the piggery owners have pannage rights but no longer drive along this fine wide road,often deep in mud. The lane was closed for a time recently due to Wifford bridge being weak. The motox riders who spoiled Heathfield also played no small part in antagonising local opinion against 'off roaders'. Next time you take your mountain bike along there you should try the tracks in between the lane and King Charles business park which run paralell to the lane and will help you avoid the mud as well as being very picturesque.The entrance to the nature reserve is obvious from the lane. Difficult to know what to do about rogue 'off roaders' as I have more sympathy with them than the local NIMBYs but we all get tarred with the same brush. Stop them and have a word. Make a show of taking number plates if they take the piss,because Section 59 applies to all classes of vehicle and they may have no respect for the law but should be made aware that their vehicles can be taken away from them if they continue. The TRF cannot condone such behaviour and we ought to distance ourselves from it.
-- Edited by Pete on Sunday 26th of September 2010 03:55:07 PM
Thought that was the case Pete, Re the lane being only bridleway, but the sign has been 'Moved' or at least it had today. We are talking the same lane as you rightly point out the bridge was being fixed for a while. I will try the tracks you speak of.
And ill take your advice on the users.
Cheers
__________________
Feath's
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character......give him power".....Abraham Lincoln
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