Has anyone been up Morden (just over the border in cornwall) recently. Is it still open- rideable?. havent been up it for a long time and am thinking about a cornwall route which includes it.
Not been there recently, but rock like that doesn't wear away quickly so it probably hasn't changed much.
The top part of the lane is on the list of streets but the interesting part at the bottom is not. NERC does not seem to have reached west of the Tamar yet though.
Ride at your own risk as usual.
First time round the corner at the bottom I found 'Section begins here' signs left over from the local long distance trial and thought 'this will be interesting'.
Moments later the bike had skated sideways on the rock catching my boot on the bank and twisting my ankle around backwards and I hopped off to have a lie down and ponder the wisdom of riding alone.
Maybe a half hour later the pain had subsided enough to try standing up and I had to decide between giving up after three lanes and carrying on.
Having booked holiday I didn't want to give up too early and it wasn't long before I found myself at the bottom of Muchlarnick, by which time I couldn't put any weight on the ankle, so no chance of a dab there.
Bravely/stupidly I carried on and made it past the rough part without drama then stalled on the only flat bit next to the gate near the top. Phew! Had to take the next week off work though.
Cornwall TRF may be able to tell you about the current state of the lane, but if you are setting off that way tomorrow you will find out for yourself.
it is in fine form- washed out bigtime- I recall a conversation a few years ago about the lane not being "owned". Something about the landowner either side not claiming it as theirs and the lane being in limbo. Its marked as a track on the os and as a road for the very top bit . It is a monster.
Dont know what the position is re legality- but its been ridden for decades?
its an interesting position - the whole thing looks like it is called vogus lane- unless the top bit has a different name ? you would think it would be listed as one street- but thats life I guess.
Most UCR's in Devon are not owned according to the Land Register.
I think it was the legal act of the Inclosure awards when they decided to tax landowners on ownership and most dis owned ways across their land that were being used by the public. This has carried over to present time yet there is an assumption by many that Gov or County Council own by default.
Pete n I used this simple argument to challenge an angry Christow farmer that as he did not own the land on which the bottom end of Bennah Lane sat, he could not block it ...... We must have been right (-:
Morden , sometimes cheerfully known as Mordor, is best ridden on the 'white road' argument.
"I have evidence that this route IS A ROAD with a history of public use." ( always better if you have done or have access to the evidence )
Plod/CPS will only proceed if they can prove beyond reasonable doubt that it is NOT a road. Proving a negative is difficult.
More interesting is the fact that it is one of the hardest climbs in the whole south west.
I have got up it on three occasions. Each time I was first in the group to attempt and was using an MT43 with about 3psi. Electric tyre pump required at the top (-:
The first bike probably gets dry(er) rock and a fraction more grip as a result.
On two of these occasions I rode back down to see where everyone else was ( and lost it as the front end lost grip ) and then failed to ride back up.
It is the only route that has stopped the legendary Timpo, admittedly he was on a knobbly rear tyre though .......
Its some time back now but I got up it on an xr250 japanese import (electric start thank goodness). The day was as dry as dust but boy was it tough- needed a drink at the top !!! (Failed it twice though) It just goes on and on upwards.
Thanks for the info on "white roads " I clearly need to go to some classes to learn more !!!!
Cheers
Mike
-- Edited by mike on Friday 20th of May 2016 07:48:40 PM
NERC suspended the vehicular rights of all routes not on the Definitive map or the List of Streets
Top of Morden is on LoS Bottom isn't on either map
It should be ridden then..... or is this part of the Police reform act of 2002 that lends shades of grey to white lanes and anyone can therefore get fekked doggin or just enjoying a challenge
Has anyone been up Morden (just over the border in cornwall) recently. Is it still open- rideable?. havent been up it for a long time and am thinking about a cornwall route which includes it.
Mike
This was early days for me, so forgive the video and the effort..
memory serves right , next up posh golf club.....
[video=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8tUguKr5wFY]
-- Edited by Biff on Friday 20th of May 2016 09:34:00 PM
Has anyone been up Morden (just over the border in cornwall) recently. Is it still open- rideable?. havent been up it for a long time and am thinking about a cornwall route which includes it.
Mike
This was early days for me, so forgive the video and the effort..
memory serves right , next up posh golf club.....
-- Edited by Biff on Friday 20th of May 2016 09:34:00 PM
Love the close ups of the hedge, the bank on the left at 01.55 is where I had a little lie down
What a cracking lane, seems to go on forever, easy to see why the long distance trial puts a section there
Bet they don't ask permission because I also bet there is no recorded owner, suggesting public ownership
The advice above;
"I have evidence that this route IS A ROAD with a history of public use." ( always better if you have done or have access to the evidence )
Plod/CPS will only proceed if they can prove beyond reasonable doubt that it is NOT a road. Proving a negative is difficult.
