Well I poped into the exec meeting on Sunday to see what its all about.
I have to say the banter seemed lively and some good facts and figures were presented but to be honest I discovered that the "political / working end" of the TRF was not for me!!!
Now I feel a real bad ass And what make this worse is I just want to ride my bike and enjoy the lanes - double Selfish bad ass or what!!!!!
OMG I'll get me coat!!!!!
One thing I did notice at the exec meeting, was that there seemed to be some pretty clued up and keen guys and gals there. Many present seemed to love the legal challenges presented to the TRF by various Uk councils. In fact I would go as far as saying they seemed to love it! They also seem to be doing a damn good job for us lane users too. I was staggered to hear how much money had been spent fighting lane closures and in defence of its members. I was also even more impressed when I heard how much had been recovered by winning the cases and claiming back the costs!!! Well impressed to be honest. I realised they do need my support!!!!!
But the sad fact remains that I just want to ride my bike and enjoy the lanes.
I'm happy to support the TRF financially by way of attending events and paying my subs but thats all I can offer as far as I'm aware. I just not a political animal I feel.
Am I a bad ass still???? Should I do more???? or is it ok to be a contributing member that enjoys the lanes and is willing to support those that want to fight the cause????
Still feeling bad Am I the only one that feels like this????
It takes all kinds of members and to be honest just by riding the lanes you are doing your bit to keep them open. Being a paid up member and supporting trf events helps in its own way.
I would rather eat my own arse than go spend time listening to all that stuff.
For me it is all about the bikes,people and riding - but I REALLY respect all the ones that go and do all of this, they make it all possible for me to enjoy.
I dont mind lane clearing and paying - but sitting in meeting rooms is what I do all day and dont want that in my spare time.
Thanks for writting your opinion about it on here because I think everyone should know what goes on in the background.
I may seem selfish, but I am also honest enough to admit it.
Your not a bad ass Kev, a bit wierd some times, but not a bad ass.
keep paying yer membership and riding the lanes - oh! and the odd run report would help us more than you could ever imagine.
Some one does have to do the meeting stuff both nationaly and localy and we have a small contingent who help.
What a lot of guys dont realise and may well not care about is that we are the only people fighting in an area that has far more anti's than pro's, if we dont make the effort the lanes will naturally drift away and there will be no trail riding - end of.
If you like the thought of locked gates, styles and convictions then do nothing, if you want us to have half a chance then carry on fighting.
Win or loose we will be judged on our actions, i aint going down in the "cant be arsed" catagory!
i aint going down in the "cant be arsed" category!
Good job too Steve
It's not that I can't be arsed, its just that it bores me. Were all made different I guess, or maybe that by the end of a week of running my own business, I have no room for anymore conflict/negotiation/mediation in me as I just wanna chill.
There will always be somewhere to ride, here or abroad. I hope the greenlanes stay open, and I'm really pleased that the activists in the TRF do such a good job. In the future we are more likely to be legislated against due to pollution from our petrol engines then the tracks we leave. Bikes are in for some big changes and if europe gets its way things may get difficult for us. Such changes may include not be able to modify our bikes from standard in anyway due to emissions, not being able to repair our own bikes, or bikes ver certain ages being removed from the road again due to emissions. In the future green lane riding may be more threatened due to the lack of suitable bikes and the incurred dealer repair costs.
Of course organisations such as MAG are fighting this.
Isn't it amazing that the image of a biker used to be someone who is free and couldn't care less, now we all have to fight to keep our hobbies. Not quite the free lifestyle some had in mind.
Of course I support the TRF and MAG and I hope this is enough to keep my hobby alive for me and my kids in the future.
To save at least £1200 over the next 40 years buy a lifetime membership at renewal time later this year. I'm going to try and do so, support the cause and save yourself money.
You don't even have to get changed or start your bike. Risk of injury is therefore minimal. Armchair trail rider....
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Avoiding risk avoids excitement, even Snow White turned away Elf and Safety...
I managed to make it down to the meeting, and just stick the distance (my bum was well numb by the end, perhaps I should have stood up more ) and interesting to see behind the scenes.
The main needs that stuck in my mind from sunday were good and much more publicity (so ride well and tell yer mates/ neighbours/ papers etc) and of course dosh for the coffers/ fighting fund.
The executive is def a calling, so (as others have said) keep using the site, paying your membership, and (best bit) doing the lanes we all love.
And what make this worse is I just want to ride my bike and enjoy the lanes - double Selfish bad ass or what!!!!! 
