Let's offroad / mountain bike / mtb / ride dirt

I suppose. Looks like the rules should be placed around the manufacturers as much as anything else. The question I suppose is when does a bike become a scooter? Pedals?

When I was up in the lakes at Grizedale Forest the other week they rented out pretty swish E-mountain bikes. For a "non cycling" family to be able to rent a bike, put the little ones in a trailer and potter up to the top of a pretty big hill for some crazy beautiful views and fun descent, I thought they looked fantastic.

Wouldn't want to ban them as I do think they make the sport more accessible to a lot and can't yet see the point where they'd become a massive PITA. Perhaps wishful thinking from me and robot bikes will take over the trails...

I get pretty annoyed when a perfectly good bridleway comes to an end in the middle of a field and suddenly becomes a footpath. Happens far too often and unless I ride these footpaths, it really messes up the ability to ride some decent routes. I just use my own judgement there, as I'm only bimbling along and not hurting anybody.

Saying that, I just want to ride around and explore, rather than get rad, or try to break strava times.

I just use my own judgement there, as I'm only bimbling along and not hurting anybody.

@branwen and I were told we were 'giving cyclists a bad name' as we waited patiently for a walker and his dog to pass, after straying on to a footpath to bypass an unridable bridleway.

Surrey tho.

My response was 'noted'

This is why it's complicated. Blanket "you can now ride on footpaths" I think on balance would be a bad thing. The walkers would be soooo pissed.

At the moment, I employ the same as you. Avoid the footpaths where possible. Where a footpath is the best route, ride it slow and considerately. If anyone ever has a go, I tend to pull the "better to ask forgiveness rather than permission" line as sweetly as I can.

An example is the climb up to Ranmore from the south. You have an option of a near vertical bridleway in the trees, or a gentle footpath traverse across meadows with a beautiful view along the valley to Dorking. I take the footpath every time and probably get called out on it once in 5. I would never ride down it. How do you legislate for that?

Looks like the rules should be placed around the manufacturers as much as anything else.

There already are rules, but they are routinely broken by owners and vendors.

For example, e-bikes must shut their motors down when the speed of the bike reaches 14mph or so. Yet many of these things fly past me at 20mph with that unmistakable whine.

Realistically you can not enforce this stuff in the wilderness. You can't even enforce it in a city.

A community policed blanket ban is viable and sensible I reckon.

I reckon they are cool for trail centers and Afan like places tho

My response was 'noted'

Then you set them on fire, yes?

As long as I can go home without thinking "I rode like a dick today"* then I can live with myself for straying onto the occasional footpath.

*not the same as being rubbish at riding

I take the footpath every time and probably get called out on it once in 5. I would never ride down it.

Ah yea - I know this one. It's a national trust path or something isn't it. I've ridden it once. I just don't climb Ranmore from the south, now.

Epping Forest is a good example of having non-classified trails. There's the potential for conflict between various trail users, but I've not experienced any over the past 20 + years of riding there.

I love mine!! Great pair of shoes and surviving well after a year of pretty heavy use.

Yep. Most places are National Trust round there. Still a footpath though I think. If I ever got really challenged I wonder if my lifetime membership card would hold any sway? "I pay your wages" etc. etc.

I see where you're coming from, but I still think open access is important for all non-motorised users. It works well in Scotland, you don't hear of big bust ups between walkers and cyclists.

I'm sure for the most part, cyclists respect walkers, and as is the code of conduct for bridleways, cyclists are supposed to yield to walkers and horses.

Of course, just like the roads, there will be some assholes who ruin it for other users, but hopefully they'd be in the minority.

As for e-bikes, they are almost motorbikes, and soon will be just as powerful. What's wrong with pedalling anyway?

To be honest the thing that pisses me off the most as a walker is bulls on footpaths. I've been charged too many times.

^^^ All good points re: access, dealing with other trail users.
Here's an example from one of my local trail advocacy groups:
http://www.peakdistrictmtb.org.uk/index.php/81-you-re-just-a-nuisance

I ride plenty of footpaths, cheeky trails etc., employ a smile and a cheery hello if I ever meet other trail users, and have yet to encounter any hostility.

Unrelated note: Picking up my new ride after work!
[excited dance]

+1, be friendly, it usually works.

The only hostility I've encountered was some geriatric bloke on a green lane (unmetalled road) telling my I shouldn't be riding there (it's a public road technically). I politely corrected him, and his wife apologised for his ignorance!

Also got shouted at for riding across a golf course, on a bridleway. Once again, I stopped and corrected the guy, and he shut up.

x-post: Decent, fast, tubeless-suitable 26" summer mtb tyre that could pull double duty as a winter road and gravel commuter/tourer?

Rocket Ron front racing Ralph rear

Both racing tyres tho so lots of sealant :)

csb
I rode my singlespeed for the first time in about 6 months... looks like I've missed the dry, dusty trails I've seen over assorted social media, ending up axle deep in several puddles on the way into Marsden and covered in shit by the time I got home. At least I've saved a fair bit not buying summer tyres...
/csb

I corrected him politely

Still bone dry down here :)

ʇunɔ

I sometimes forget that internet Gabes is different from IRL-Gabes.

Are you thinking of doing the BB200 this year?

Easton ARC 30 29" MTB rims.

Brand new, never laced.

£50 for the pair.

PM'd