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Syren Sistair · Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 4:44 pm Post subject: Ashdown Forest

Does anyone know about it (other than you can't ride there). There's some sort of public consultation going on, closing date 06 March, about its future, but there's no mention of allowing bikes to ride. There's a bit of talk about how rubbish the management is too...http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=14724480

There's also a petition on No10's site to call for a public enquiry into how its run: http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/ashdownforest/

Ben03 · Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 9:26 pm Post subject:

Ooh, looks interesting. Ashdown does have some hidden gems to ride although I've only been there once or twice. A friend knows it like the back of his hand so will have to see if i can get him on.

Surely better managment would include more rangers to drive the bikers off though?
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jab uk - South East Mountain Biking

Syren Sistair · Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 10:10 pm Post subject:

Better management may mean better rangers, but the ultimate goal is for this thing is to let bikers on the land and I suppose as long as you stick to the rules then it can't be a bad thing. although i understand your point - they might think 'oh a new lot of rules for us to enforce!'.

It would be interesting to see what actual users of the forest think and if legitimate riding would be a good thing or if how things are at the moment is good enough and keeps the loons away!

D · Settled User Joined: 16 May 2007 Posts: 123

well the majority of walkers n riders seem to hate cyclists so i cant see it getting very far but then again i feel that something like ashdown is public and therefore should be for us as well...theyll just look at it as destruction of rare lowland heath though probably...damn them...

Ben03 · Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 2:49 pm Post subject:

I really can't see thier logic. Went on a school trip there (several years ago lol) and at the centre we asked their reasoning and they said it was the errosion caused by the bike that was a problem and secondly we'd ride off the trails and over the heather Confused

1. have you ever tried riding your bike over heather?

2. If erosion is a problem then why bow and scrape to horses?

Don't get it.
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jab uk - South East Mountain Biking

JAW · Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 7:06 pm Post subject:

It reckon this does have potential - if we force our reasons into their little skulls.

jake-snake · Advanced User Joined: 21 Nov 2007 Posts: 272

I ride Ashdown forest regularly mostly on Tuesday night
When I have rode there in the day most people dont give a dam
a part from the poxy horse riders
I just tell em to have a nice day

Syren Sistair · Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 1:13 am Post subject:

Here's the info on the consultation.

Public meetings this week...

http://www.ashdownforest.org/news/news_stakeholder.php

Consultation doc is here http://www.ashdownforest.org/docs/Draft_Forest_Plan.pdf - no mention of biking!

Ben03 · Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 6:37 pm Post subject:

Hmm not good. We really need an mtb rep who higher up in local gov like they have in Vancouver. That may sort it. Biking is looked upon as trouble causing kids recreation to the public (mainly snobs, mind).

If they were to take a case study from Wales for example they might find that setting up a centre/trail network might give them funds to manage the forest better....
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jab uk - South East Mountain Biking

Syren Sistair · Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 7:10 pm Post subject:

And help with the cash: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/south_of_scotland/7257427.stm