I am a paid up member and have the MM overlays of Devon which have been invaluable to aid my enjoyment of this permanently muddy and wet hobby. However I am after the Cornwall, Wales and Somerset overlays as I would like to venture out from the caves from which I came...do I need to join and pay my membership again in those areas or do I just need to beg/grovel and ask nicely? If so, whom do I ask?
Apologies if this is in the wrong section, I did do a search but found the search funtion a little lacking.
I have been enjoying myself so much I have ordered brand new toy to play on as well as Memory Map 3500 and would very much like some new scenery to go with it.
Thanks in advance for your time.
Amp
-- Edited by Amplimator on Saturday 11th of May 2013 07:27:16 PM
just need to beg/grovel and ask nicely? If so, whom do I ask?
The above is the correct answer. Try going onto their own forums and ask, but don't be surprised in getting nothing, as most groups are very protective in giving out lane info to johnny foreigners
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Culmstock area - Devon TRF Group member - KTM 690 Enduro
Devon is unique in my experience in having thoroughly researched and vetted its lanes database to a level where we are confident enough to distribute the overlay publically.
There are overlays for Cornwall and Somerset, don't know about Wales, but you would be disappointed by the sparcity of legal lanes, and could end up in court if you rode along someting which is now under NERC no longer legal, but was ok when the overlay was constructed.
Wouldn't it be nice if the Devon model were practiced nationwide......
Thanks Harty I may do just that. If I get told to bugger orf thats fine...if you dont ask you dont get right? I refuse to give out my overlays so I can see where they are coming from.
Pete, the last thing I want to do is tarnish the reputation of the Devon TRF and ruin the hard work thats been put into keeping the lanes open for people like myself to enjoy by riding somewhere I shouldnt, hence why I asked here first. I do agree though that other areas should use the Devon TRF as a 'model' on which to base themselves.
Granted I do not post on here much but I do fully support the cause wherever I ride, which is why I am asking for overlays from the people in the know, rather than go by hearsay and guess wrongly. Could you at least PM me the secret handshake so I dont look so silly?
I think that when visiting areas such as Wales, if you want to venture away from the well known lanes (Strata etc) it's probably best to ask nicely for a guide. Failing that draw a route on MM, take a screen shot (post it privately) and ask the locals on their forum if there is any issues in riding it. They may even offer you alternatives but one think I've found is not many riders in other areas use MM so it's not often possible to share route plans or to ask other to check your route directly.
I maintain the overlays for Devon and also have them for neighbouring counties. Unfortunately, as Pete says, they haven't been subjected to the same rigorous research or maintenance that ensures Devon's are something you can rely on. Somerset had a proliferation of RUPPS that were 'probably' outlawed be NERCA while the Cornish overlay appears to include a lot of footpaths and bridleways so cannot presently be distributed. This is something I'm working on as Cornwall is a popular area particularly for those in the west of Devon and I do receive regular requests for overlays. I understand that Cornwall TRF consists of only around 30 members so don't have the resources that we do. There is another riding group down there but, as was evidenced by a recent exchange I had to mollify a local land owner, their diligence in confirming legality of where they ride is often lacking.
So, the advice that is usually given is to contact the area you wish to ride and ask for a guide - a service Devon members often provide - and you will usually find someone all too willing to help. Sadly, there is no guarantee that they have any better idea as to the legality of where you're being led than you do.
I had been advising a South Wales group with a view to replicating our system there but it has gone quiet of late. That said, their chairman came across as a dedicated person with an interest in accuracy so would probably be a good contact should you need it.
Wherevever I get my overlays from I fully intend to do my research using The Definitive Map of Rights of Way for that area before I ride.
I have to ask, if the Cornish TRF is so small why not merge the Devon/Cornwall TRF? Surely all would benefit from the superb system and total dedication we have for the cause? It would be a case of 'you scratch my back i'll scratch yours...' when it comes to verifying the lanes too and IMO the more we work together the better chance we have of defending our lanes.
Justin the DTRFG has over the years had the benefit and dedication of the few to create and to this day maintain the overlays. Other groups have not been so lucky and do not have the same precise gathered information easily available, i would suggest getting on some rideouts in cornwall/wales and track on gps and create your own routes for further visits.
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Took the Queens Shilling and disappeared for 23 Years !!
