Devon TRF Group Forum

mike · Clubman A

local protest

Albert · Clubman A

Might be worth a letter to the paper stressing the point that it's legal to use and one of very few

John Harvey · Clubman A

Just found the article HERE

My guess is she probably lives near the lane and would like it all to herself... as is often the case!

ttr steve · Devon's Best

I have left a comment wink

Trevor Foxon · Expert

ttr steve wrote:
I have left a comment

And me

John Leah · Clubman A

I wrote one of my customary wordy pieces but, when I submitted it, it was rejected as too long. Right now I can't imagine how I can condense what I feel needs to be said to get our message across into a mere 500 characters cry

Such is the lot of the pre-Twitter generation but I'll will work on it.

Cheers,

John

potus · Clubman A

That lane can get a bit messy at the southern end especially when the ground is extremely wet where it's basically a track across open moorland.

Would also comment that I know someone who lives in the Tamar Valley and although he is certainly far from being against the use of green lanes he does mention that quite often large groups (bikes) pass through the numerous lanes near to his place with the associated noise being his (and neighbours) biggest gripe. The sights and sounds associated with groups of up to 10 bikes do us no favours IMO. Stealth always used be the preferred, perhaps not so nowadays?

russell11031967 · Devon's Best

Grenofen great lane, always been deepish vehicle tracks at the Southern end, just some more do gooders that think the countryside should only be for some not all.

Hoops · Elite

potus wrote:
The sights and sounds associated with groups of up to 10 bikes do us no favours IMO. Stealth always used be the preferred, perhaps not so nowadays?

I agree - a large number of bikes on a run can be harmful. I don't say we need to go full-on stealth, and I like the approach national has taken since my return to the fold as in this is what the TRF does and it's legal, but I do think runs with large numbers of bikes can be taken as easy ammo against us by those who don't share our passion for what we do.

Tim · Clubman B

Some great comments there chaps.

I'm too slow witted this time of day to add value, but keep up the good work.

wink

-- Edited by Tim on Sunday 20th of March 2016 01:26:05 PM

deci · Expert

Trevor Foxon wrote:
ttr steve wrote:
I have left a comment
And me

+1

Smiffy1200 · Clubman B

deci wrote:
Trevor Foxon wrote:
ttr steve wrote:
I have left a comment
And me
+1

+2

doug9270 · Powermonger!!

Sent a constructive email direct.

doug9270 · Powermonger!!

A reply to my email:

On 20 Mar 2016, at 13:03, Doug Piper wrote:

Hi Joanna,

My name is Doug Piper and I am a long standing member of the Trail Riders Fellowship, can I please point you in the direction of our website and
You will see the tremendous amount of voluntary time goes in to keep unclassified roads open for all to users.

Green roads is a local term mainly used by TRF members whilst discussing unclassified roads.

Over use of a unclassified roads can look damaged during bad spells of bad weather but normally recover well.

In the event said unclassified roads does not recover we in conjunction with Devon County Council Rights of Way Dept work very closely in repairing or riding restraint.

I do hope this makes this a little clearer.

Regards

Doug Piper

www.trf.org.uk/

Hi Doug

Thanks so much for getting in touch. I can completely understand the pleasure trail riders get from off-roading. My aim is not to shut tracks, despite what was said in the paper, but to reassess them for suitability for use by motor vehicles. However, I think that there are people, maybe not part of your group, who prefer to drive on these lanes when they are muddy because they enjoy the challenge of the deep ruts and skidding and so on. I also get the feeling that they care very little for the beauty, peace and quiet of the countryside. The track near us is much more frequently used in winter and has deteriorated enormously in just the three years that I have been keeping an eye on it (I could send you photographs). Im afraid that, without help, the grassy areas will not return to their previous good condition in my lifetime.

Perhaps you could spread the word to your members to avoid this particular track during the winter.

best wishes Jo

doug9270 · Powermonger!!

I think i should invite Joanna to a meeting to iron out the terminology (off roading, shut tracks) ?

Big T · Expert

doug9270 wrote:
I think i should invite Joanna to a meeting to iron out the terminology (off roading, shut tracks) ?

I think that would be a good idea Doug

Padowan · Clubman B

I agree also. That is the start of a very amicable discussion, i would like to think that with some clarification around terminology, and visibility of how structured or organisation is (ie not just a bunch of faceless hooligans) she could take a very positive message back into the wider community.

ttr steve · Devon's Best

Maybe meet her at the lane and see if we can help her? The lady might find it a bit daunting at one of our meetings?

Maybe there could be a solution?

Forgot to say, good work Doug.

-- Edited by ttr steve on Monday 21st of March 2016 04:58:06 PM

deci · Expert

very positive Doug, well done !

Hoops · Elite

ttr steve wrote:
Maybe meet her at the lane and see if we can help her? The lady might find it a bit daunting at one of our meetings?
Maybe there could be a solution?
Forgot to say, good work Doug.

-- Edited by ttr steve on Monday 21st of March 2016 04:58:06 PM

This!

potus · Clubman A

Well done Doug for contacting this lady although she may prove a challenge to convince given the comments within her reply - 'peace' 'quiet' and over dramatic in that the 'grass won't recover in her lifetime' confuse . Hardy stuff is moorland grass!

Maybe some voluntary 'treadlightly' signs where the lane becomes open grassed moorland in the winter? To be honest I've never seen it that bad on the moorland section and generally there are just a couple of ruts which seem to recover quite well when things dry out. No worse than some of the footpaths on the coastal path which are also having to recover after the excessively wet winter.

doug9270 · Powermonger!!

Could do with some pictures of the area. She volunteered to provide picture evidence but i would like it to come from those in the know.

bombx3 · Expert

Seems liked she moved down here 3 years ago and does not like the lane being used by motor vehicles ,she may be pleasant about this issue on paper but her only objective is to get it closed

i dont think she has expected any opposition

potus · Clubman A

supertaff wrote:
I'm thinking about a solution but im figuring this is a little explored back alley potentially full of complaints about ease of use, peace, quiet and treading lightly. I question whether, even with pictures first, you may want to ride it - good to keep options open though.

Its a cracking lane, and always worth riding if you're in the area. If ridden from North to South the loose rocky climb is a good challenge and will warm you on a chilly day. Opens onto open moorland with great views.

A lane certainly worth riding and ensuring it remains available for use by all.

doug9270 · Powermonger!!

John Leah wrote:
I wrote one of my customary wordy pieces but, when I submitted it, it was rejected as too long. Right now I can't imagine how I can condense what I feel needs to be said to get our message across into a mere 500 characters
Such is the lot of the pre-Twitter generation but I'll will work on it.
Cheers,
John

John, have you recent trf user evidence ?

John Leah · Clubman A

doug9270 wrote:

John, have you recent trf user evidence ?

We have 58 records of use the most recent by David Bell 22nd November 2015

Cheers,

John

deci · Expert

John Leah wrote:
doug9270 wrote:

John, have you recent trf user evidence ?

We have 58 records of use the most recent by David Bell 22nd November 2015

Cheers,
John

at that time there were no muddy ruts, just grass covered ones.

mike · Clubman A

some pictures today

Southernmost end

mike · Clubman A

across the moor

mike · Clubman A

mike · Clubman A

one more (this looks a bit like a passing place- the track devides a bit

.

doug9270 · Powermonger!!

No apologies here then, what in the devil is wrong with that ? i expected some 2 foot deep ruts filled with water with massive damage either side of the UCR !!!

Spot the difference:

-- Edited by doug9270 on Thursday 24th of March 2016 01:52:01 PM

mike · Clubman A

I havent bothered with pictures of the steep stoney climb from Grenofen- I dont think that is an issue. The track is now clearly defined- maybe a couple of years or so ago the track was just visible. None of the track could really be considered devastation though. A muddy bit in the middle had attracted ponies to drink and was a bit trodden.

Interesting is the devon bridleway sign at the south end- Im not sure if this refers to the track or an adjacent route?

Mike.

pug · Clubman B

4X4's On that lane this year when it's very wet looks like the video car is big an digging in well but looks like they stay on the track but still making a rut mess of it

www.youtube.com/watch

pug

John Leah · Clubman A

mike wrote:

Interesting is the devon bridleway sign at the south end- Im not sure if this refers to the track or an adjacent route?

Mike.

The bridleway immediately diverges to the left with the UCR being straight on. It really does need a 'Unmetalled Road' sign alongside to avoid confusion.

Cheers,

John

ttr steve · Devon's Best

Agree with Doug, what is all the fuss about? I will contact the guy from the paper next week and see if we can get our side across. Mike could you email me the pictures please.

Steve

potus · Clubman A

Thanks for the recent photos. that is not in that bad a condition in my opinion. The ruts have been there for years.

deci · Expert

I agree with Doug, I was expecting it to be lot worse! If my memory is correct, I've seen it like that on several occasions in the past 10 years or so and it will probably green over in the next few months.

What does anybody think the ruts looked like in the first place when they were made ??

wackyracer · Powermonger!!

I've got some Scotts Spring & Summer fertiliser 9:7:7 with a hint of Iron which should turn it into a Green road wink

JC · Clubman B

Out of mild interest I joined a Facebook page called Green Laners Reloaded South West. It appears to be mainly suzuki vitaras and mitsubishi owners working out where they think they can drive from OS maps. I'm not particularly surprised when members of the public grumble about lanes being torn up when i see one 4x4 fitted with dumper tyres.......

Then I find that they have also posted an article about this issue, but rather than addressing it, this is the type of response.....

mike · Clubman A

ttr steve wrote:
Agree with Doug, what is all the fuss about? I will contact the guy from the paper next week and see if we can get our side across. Mike could you email me the pictures please.
Steve

Steve

I think you can just copy and save the image. They are large files and might struggle on an e mail.

Mike

mike · Clubman A

The plot thickens with 201-038.

Went up there yesterday about 4 ish. Clear on the way up. Stopped for a brief natter at the top and came down about 20 mins later. One tree down accross the road and several logs laid accross the lane at the top of the rocky section . Spent a half hour with bonny clearing stuff away but a couple of large stumps were too heavy to lift. Clearly deliberate.

We did see a small blue 4x4 (jiminy size) at the top of the lane whilst we were having a chat which could not have got through with the trees accross as they were. I dont know if they were responsible for the vandalism or someone who saw the vehicle decided to try and close the road after it.

Either way we tidied up with a bit of sawing and moved the real heavy stuff as far to the side as possible. All perfectly passable now.

Whats a matter with people these days!!!!

Mike

NeilM · Clubman A

I went down it on my mountain bike on Saturday morning, clearing a load of branches on the way down, turned one big lump and put it beside the hedge.