Devon TRF Group Forum

chriscole · Clubman A

Covid and trail riding

hampsterracing · Devon's Best

I met two local trail riders last weekend whilst cycling and was told "the trf says it is ok" not sure where they got this info :(

-- Edited by hampsterracing on Sunday 24th of January 2021 06:43:15 PM

Mike Wright · Clubman A

Like many others I am itching to go riding again but with the NHS resources stretched beyond comprehension and most people doing their bit to fight this terrible virus I don't think even if allowed its currently the right thing to do. Imagine requiring an ambulance or medical aid when others need it so much more because you fancied a bit of fun out riding and people are fighting for their lives.

There will be a time we can riding again its all about be patient and considering others.

-- Edited by Mike Wright on Sunday 24th of January 2021 04:53:53 PM

Jhonny Yoga · Sportsman

chriscole wrote:
The decision has to be the individuals but although it may not be totally illegal to trail ride on your bike at the moment I believe it is morally hard to defend.

I understand the gov't guidance has been flimsy at times but currently "do not make a journey unless absolutely necessary and stay close to home for exercise" should be more than sufficient to remove any "decision" from individuals?

I would expect, in the circumstances, and indeed I would support being pulled over if was out on a dirt bike to explain myself. If my explanation was having fun out on my dirt bike for exercise I would expect a £200 fine and to also feel embarrassed. What's odd is an e-bike ride often doesn't correspond to the calories burnt on a dirt bike ride but e-bikes can carry on with impunity as can horse riders (as horses need to be exercised) but those e-biking and horse riding folk are approaching the same likelihood of creating an unnecessary drain on NHS resources as a dirt bike rider.... nevertheless both feel more justifiable than taking a dirt bike out.

Given the claims being made a disclaimer from the TRF and issuing current advice might be helpful on the home / public access electronic pages? I am sure same issue nationwide

Tribey · Expert

I don't actually recall reading a statement coming from Devon TRF Group Officers regarding trail riding in the current Lockdown situation. Someone can correct me if I've missed it.

I can however pass on the last bulletin from National TRF dated 10th January 2021.

TRF hopes that all members, trail riders and their families are keeping safe at what is an incredibly difficult time for us all. Covid-19 restrictions, Government advice and information is evolving at such a pace that it is challenging for organisations such as TRF, to recommend to members and all trail riders, definitive advice, or interpretations.

TRF asks that all trail riders familiarise themselves with the legislation

and have regard to the Regional Government's guidance in England and Wales

TRF would like to remind members that the decision to ride, or not, and any responsibilities and consequences of those decisions, lies with the individual.

TRF is keen to help members better understand the details of these guidelines and the law, as well as formulate their own responsible decisions and understand what the consequences could be. The TRF is pleased to highlight a blog post by White Dalton Motorcycle Solicitors that discusses this in more detail.

TRF recognises the variety of views on the matter in the trail riding community and asks that all riders respect the views of other riders, and members of society. TRF hopes that our members will be considerate of our Fellowship and be thoughtful towards others who may have been adversely affected by the pandemic.

The national and local restrictions since early 2020 have been a challenge to us all. TRF would like to take this opportunity to thank all trail riders for playing their part during this Covid-19 pandemic. In particular we are very proud of those trail riders who have supported their communities in delivering medicines and supporting those''self-isolating''

TRF remains committed to the conservation of Green Roads and promoting the interests of Trail Riding.

TRF Board of Directors ''

and if you follow the link, that Chris posted at the top, from White Dalton solicitors, it says;

''Riding Your Motorbike
Unlike previous rules, you cannot meet a mate for a ride at a''a public outdoor place for the purposes of open air recreation.''

The National Lockdown means you can't leave your house and ride your motorbike unless an''exception''applies''.

Jhonny Yoga · Sportsman

"Do not make a journey unless absolutely necessary" is clarity wrt advice if not enforced by the law currently - they twill be soon.... Harry Day and Douglas Bader quotes to follow...

bombx3 · Expert

Yesterday I was working in a field at Rocombe 18 bikes past us through out the morning, I gave up counting after that.

NickJ · Clubman A

From ACU Website.

'Most importantly, ACU members should not be out and about using a motorbike for recreational or training purposes, that goes completely against the UK Government guidelines.'
The complete document is on the ACU home page.

Nick

Jerry atterick · Expert

Im not getting involved in the discussion, other than to say "Im not".
BUT can you imagine arriving at A & E in your off road riding kit.
You have to be either thick skinned or just plain thick!!

Trevor Foxon · Expert

Only a question of time

Driving to Haldon, renting a bike, then riding is having a day out, not exercising.

-- Edited by Trevor Foxon on Tuesday 26th of January 2021 08:09:12 AM

crumbles · Expert

5 emergency vehicles for 1 person ..??
Or is there more to the story...

Tribey · Expert

I think it's 1 x Ambulance for the casualty, 2 x HART vehicles to assist with carrying the casualty, local Police van and car.

Jerry atterick · Expert

Not quite the same, but when I had screws removed from a leg break, they were removed with a local.
Consequently I was looking around the theatre.
I was gobsmacked just how many people were involved.
It was humbling and a bit "wish I wasn't here"!
"Real" accidents will happen but sensible awareness
probably prudent.

doug9270 · Powermonger!!

Heard three large trail bikes go pass my place two (nights) ago and there were not hanging about !!

NickJ · Clubman A

Just enjoyed a wet, misty, and very muddy walk around Mutters Moor and there is a single bike track everywhere we went. Looks like it has a newish Mich Anakee on the rear.
The trainee Marines are just setting up camp for the night alongside the main track so we asked them if they wouldn't mind scaring the crap out of any motor biker that came near.

-- Edited by NickJ on Wednesday 27th of January 2021 02:56:06 PM

devondan · Champion

Two out riding in East Devon yesterday

Jerry atterick · Expert

That'll be the outriders for the Apocalypse!!

devondan · Champion

Werent there 6 of them !!

Jerry atterick · Expert

I was faster than the others!!

NickJ · Clubman A

Have been contacted by them and they have apologized and will be staying home until things change!

potus · Clubman A

Spotted very recent knobbly tyre tracks (3 bikes) over Dartmoor near Wotter this afternoon. They were heading over open moors to the china clay works, roosting as they went judging by the areas where it was quite ripped up.

Some peeps obviously don't give a damn about riding illegally and more so, don't give a crap about riding during the latest 'lockdown'.

Trevor Foxon · Expert

There was 3 riders out this morning around Bishopsteignton.

Made me feel a little jealous that I wasn't out, but then I remembered that what they are doing is illegal, irresponsible and selfish.

ttr steve · Devon's Best

Itching to get out on my bike, but will wait for lockdown to end, don't want to be in A&E explaining Green lanning to a doctor at the moment

youaintseenme · Clubman B

An absolutely perfect day for trail riding !

Wet under dry over . I learned this from Mr Muller the master memory maker, many moons ago.

Im probably not allowed to say this but a&e is run quite separately from suspect COVID admissions and triage further separates someone who might be virused and injured . They dont leave the ambulance until this initial assessment is done .
All the staff self test for the virus 3 times a week and the quiet consensus among those who will discuss it is that they have probably been exposed and recovered and do not feel particularly threatened by it .
You will always hear that the hospitals are flat out because thats managements job, to balance the staff levels to demand .
What you probably dont hear about are the staff who opted to work through agencies rather than remain nhs employees who are not getting the work they might have when things were normal

And as for a&e , theres probably never been a better time for a prompt response . Although its human nature to frown upon unnecessary risk taking, so the lecture is accepted as part of the deal but in the dim and distant past we would always have a cover story that sort of explained the injury , having removed all evidence of motorcycle activity ......

My opinions are based on observations and conversations due to an emergency admission to Musgrove hospital for a 6 day stretch over Christmas, as I somehow misplaced a significant quantity of my blood and ended up having 4 transfusions, a camera from two directions and a ct scan. No apparent explanation, probably anemic they said as they lost interest but a full mot to eliminate all the scary stuff .

Maybe Musgrove hospital is the exception but I somehow doubt it and I really cannot speak highly enough of the care I was given.
I described it as 5 star with bars on the doors. They did not seem to be under pressure and the corridors, when I went for the occasional jolly, were empty yet ironically the only place where I was asked to wear a mask ......

A couple of riders travelling quietly (ie stealth) and well within their limits, keeping a bigger safety margin than they might have when out with other riders, would not cause me any concern but ultimately each of us should be free to decide for themselves without being guilt tripped by others .

The mountain bikers are certainly not holding back ........

KronreifTrunkenpolzMattighofen · Devon's Best

Just sent this incorrect and selfish post to those underworked staff in A&E at RD&E.
You clearly have no idea what you are talking about, and have been listening to fools.

youaintseenme · Clubman B

You are welcome to your opinion and I fully respect it.

Please allow for differing opinions though, its what makes us human and interesting.

Perhaps you could read my words and you would see that at no point did I suggest anyone was underworked while at the hospital that looked after me.

It was a comment from a nurse (whilst passing time chatting with me ) that some ( she didnt say how many) ex NHS staff who had opted to go agency based were not getting as much work as they had hoped ........... that had me pondering just how busy the hospitals were ?

I was admitted to A&E around midnight , I went straight into a cubicle and was immediately seen by two Doctors and their various assistants.

Within half an hour I was trundled into a side ward, a kind of holding ward while they waited for Covid and C-dif test results, this side ward could hold 6 but there was never more than 3 while I was there. Then I transferred into an empty side ward off the ward that specialises in gastric problems. The main ward was about 2/3rds full of long term ill old people, who were mostly transferred to hospital from care homes. I was breifly joined by a day patient whilst in my side ward.

When I was occasionally taken along a corridor to a location where they do scans and endoscopy, the encounters with others were rare enough for banter to be the norm. This, in my limited experience, does not happen when its busy.

There were always enough staff on duty to ensure everything ran to plan. It was really professionally run and a fantastic experience, a far cry from some of my A&E experiences over the years ( mostly for friends and offspring I hasten to add )

Perhaps I was incredibly lucky and there just happened to be a lull in the patient load at Musgrove ?

youaintseenme · Clubman B

And just to confirm , while it may have been a perfect day for trail riding, I did not and have not ridden my motorcycle since September ..........
Its the freedom to make that choice that I support, with the caveat that we take a more cautious approach in order to avoid emergency call outs.

And I am mindful that every time I attempt to slice open a 3 core electric cable that I am holding in one hand whilst wielding a sharp stanley knife in the other, I risk a new set of stitches ......... Should I wait till lockdown ends or is this somehow 'different ' ? Trailriding would probably be less risky.

Jhonny Yoga · Sportsman

youaintseenme wrote:
You are welcome to your opinion and I fully respect it.
Please allow for differing opinions though, its what makes us human and interesting.

It's good to have rules. It can feel good to disobey rules. If you can manage/mitigate your own wilful non compliance to rules and be fully prepared to accept any consequences: foreseen or unforeseen: then, in my view, that is the basis of a free society as opposed to a dictatorial society.

Jhonny Yoga · Sportsman

Jhonny Yoga wrote:
I would expect, in the circumstances, and indeed I would support being pulled over if was out on a dirt bike to explain myself. If my explanation was having fun out on my dirt bike for exercise I would expect a £200 fine and to also feel embarrassed. What's odd is an e-bike ride often doesn't correspond to the calories burnt on a dirt bike ride but e-bikes can carry on with impunity as can horse riders (as horses need to be exercised) but those e-biking and horse riding folk are approaching the same likelihood of creating an unnecessary drain on NHS resources as a dirt bike rider.... nevertheless both feel more justifiable than taking a dirt bike out.

Same old ground

Jhonny Yoga · Sportsman

youaintseenme wrote:
And just to confirm , while it may have been a perfect day for trail riding, I did not and have not ridden my motorcycle since September ..........
Its the freedom to make that choice that I support, with the caveat that we take a more cautious approach in order to avoid emergency call outs.

I second that. As above described

Pete · Expert

youaintseenme wrote:
An absolutely perfect day for trail riding ! .....

......ultimately each of us should be free to decide for themselves without being guilt tripped by others .

The mountain bikers are certainly not holding back ........

I am still riding my e-mtb regularly but taking more care to avoid injury than in the past having adopted D30 knee and elbow protection

I can echo Noels comments about how busy hospitals are not currently, having spent a couple of days in Torbay hospital attached to a heart monitor recently. I saw empty waiting areas and normally bustling corridors clear. The nhs workers are flat out as always. The angry response clearly missed the point.

Tribey · Expert

It won't be long now

covid exit steps planner.jpg

Stevenn · Clubman B

Same **** different day !!
All i want to do is ride my bike !!??

Steve.

Mike Wright · Clubman A

I would be happy just riding my bike and there are some things I don't want to go back to. One thing that has come out of this is to revaluate what's really important in life and what we took for granted without a second thought.

NickJ · Clubman A

ACU (& MSA) have confirmed that competitive events and practice can recommence on 29th March.
Trail riding will fall into the 'no more than six in a group' rule.

ttr steve · Devon's Best

Booked the mighty TTR350 for an MOT Thursday at Treens, weather looks good so may go the long way round smile