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Syren Sistair · Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2008 9:44 pm Post subject:

Erm, Duncdan, why do you blame people here for 'screwing things up'? I don't think we have a culture of blame here in this forum and so I don't think you should be blaming anyone here for the ranger's opinion.

Personally I think the ranger is using existing mtb'ers as an excuse. They're far to easy for them to blame. I suggest you have a little think about your approach to the people on this forum and to the rangers...

Rude and irresponsible? The world is full of these kinds of people, not just bikers...

If you don't have much hope for the meeting on the 23rd? Why waste your time then? (Sorry I'm being devil's advocate on this!)

If Ashdown Forest wants to stay in the dark ages then so be it.

duncdan · Newbie Joined: 09 Sep 2008 Posts: 8

I dont blame the people in the forum, just those that have made our job much harder. I used to think it was an excuse until we met and it was clear that they realy have met many difficult mtbers. But then we were not discussing dog poo, horse riders and all the other issues that include rude, stuck up people who live in the area.

Yes I am wasting loads and loads of my time on this! But it is something I beleive in and with out this kind of reasoned debate Ashdown Forest will stay in the dark ages for another 20 years by which time I will have artheritis and not enjoy knarly single track anymore!

I should realy say a huge thanks to everyone who is polite and curtious to other trail users and land managers, you are helping us win the war against discrimination and missrepresentation. Sorry for any offence none intended, just trying to make a point.

Duncan

Syren Sistair · Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2008 10:08 pm Post subject:

Ah there's the spirit! Good for you if you want to still fight the good fight. The peeps here are the real future of mtbing in the area and the old system/old way of doing things are going to have to adapt or be forced into doing something out of their liking (i.e. they'll be shamed into doing it and loose control of their set rules because a higher authority.. e.g. the public, will set the motion for change).

May I make a suggestion (from the comfort of my living room!)?... Can I suggest you collecti a few good case studies - mbuk did a review of the best 'trail centres' in the uk - if you had the time, it would be great if you could go and ask these people what they did to turn things around to allow mtbing in the area and why - and also speak to the forestry commission officials in charge of that area, see how they work with forest users of all types, the level of income they get from it, what they do about erosion, problem bikers... those positive vibes - all evidence based, will hopefully provide a great case for mtb'ing on the forest in the near future.

jake-snake · Advanced User Joined: 21 Nov 2007 Posts: 273

just ride on the forest
the conservators are are a joke

I have been told Eridge wood is no go now as well its owned by the RSPB all bike riding is banned

I will still ride there too, and look forward to get told off

duncdan · Newbie Joined: 09 Sep 2008 Posts: 8

Eridge wood is a big dissapointment as there is some great single track in there. We have been in contact with them but most interestingly I phoned Tillhill who manage the wood by Crowborough Warren, they have expressed an interest in promoting licenced cycling on their land. Wait and see what they say...

The conservators will not prosecute if they catch you but out of respect for reasoned debate we do not ride off the bridleways.

Ben03 · Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2008 2:00 pm Post subject:

duncdan · Newbie Joined: 09 Sep 2008 Posts: 8

Thanks Ben. Ian Warby from the CTC is on the case and he is sourcing funding for an indepandant feasability study of the issue which sounds very interesting!

duncdan · Newbie Joined: 09 Sep 2008 Posts: 8

Just to let you know that the result of last weeks meeting was unsurprisingly a NO.

The reasons given were issues that which we have have already discussed 1. incremental impact of an additional use on the forest. 2 The appropriateness of machines spoiling the spirt or feel of the forest. 3 Control / Policing of the numbers and conduct of cyclists.

The real issue is that they are not capable of managing the current recreational activities let alone a new one!

Hew said to me " It is in your interest to be convincing." Well on such subjective matters I doubt any furthur progress will be made for some conciderable time!

We are discussing some kind of dmonstration on the forest and I will post when more is known!!

Barney · Newbie Joined: 25 Jan 2009 Posts: 3 Location: Crowborough

Please note that there is a LEGAL bridleway that you can cycle on from The Crow & Gate up to Kings Standing -please use it as I'm getting really fed up with explaining this to walkers etc who then hurle abuse at me through their own ignorance, it's marked as a Bridleway just about 100yds south of the pub!!!

The more we use it the more the public will take note. It's also a fantastic downhill from the top.

As for the wider issue this is gathering momentum and we will look for support - can't say too much at present as people read this site! Please make your thoughts known to the Ashdown conservators via e mail. There's no point moaning in the background and doing nothing.

Ben03 · Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 11:09 am Post subject:

Welcome barney thanks for the tip! Am glad there's SOMEWHERE where we can use our bikes (considering we are sorrounded by countryside)...

I'm getting to the point of just wanting to ride into people who moan at us for no need, had it again the other day myself. Must be fashionable to do so or something Evil or Very Mad

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