The South Downs
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I cycled from Hove to Devil's Dyke then on to Littlehampton, then back to Hove via some of the South Downs way.
Twas lovely.
Twas lovely.
If anything, it will improve them, but I wouldn't expect too much.tintin40":1t6lrs1h said:
There is at least likely to be some possibility of extra funding for access improvements. The official justification for restricting paths to footpaths is often that 'improvements' would be needed before they could become bridlepaths, and of course improvements cost money and there is no money. Oh what a shame, it'll have to remain a footpath. If there is at least some money, this could improve.
But rights of way is all down to horseriders. As far as I can see, mountain bikers are completely inactive in doing anything about improving rights of way. We owe everything we have to the equestrian organisations, who are much more active and effective. The problem with that is that there are lots of paths that are good for bikes but no good for horses, so those paths we don't get.
I am very sympathetic towards IMBA Joe, but as far as I can see they are completely inactive in Sussex. I am a member of the Countryside Access Forum for West Sussex (i.e., the LAF) and I have attended meetings of the East Sussex and Brighton and Hove LAFs. None of the Access Officers had ever heard of or from IMBA until I told them about it.Joe":1fj82tyj said:
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I agree with Anthony , most of the routes I ride are there for the horses .
the other ones are just footpaths..... :?
the other ones are just footpaths..... :?
Horses?
So, back on track - my feeling is that the South Downs will now become the same as all the other national parks, in that it's about preserving what's there, controlling development, and maintaining/improving access & facilities where money is available.
Will it affect the cycling? No, in the same way that cycling is unaffected in the Peak District, Brecon Beacons, or Yorkshire Dales.
So, back on track - my feeling is that the South Downs will now become the same as all the other national parks, in that it's about preserving what's there, controlling development, and maintaining/improving access & facilities where money is available.
Will it affect the cycling? No, in the same way that cycling is unaffected in the Peak District, Brecon Beacons, or Yorkshire Dales.
doctor-bond
Feature Bike
This made me chew more slowly on my pizza.
For a new route, I tend to look at explorer maps and use the rights of way to work up a circuit. Then as I get to know an area, I'm open to working in some short cuts.
For instance, if a public footpath was passable and suitable, I'd ride it; if a non-rights-of-way track led to open access areas, I'd ride it; if an open access area was rideable, I'd ride it.
[Check out a map: there are some open access areas that have no apparent right of way leading to them: maybe ramblers have a special helicopter with gaitors ....]
I leave gates as I find them, take off my hat to ladies and make soothing noises to passing horses and nursing cows. But as a cyclist and a walker, I'm not too fussed for the finer points of the differences between a bridleway, a green lane, a footpath or a track.
Now, I should say that round my way there isn't too much competition for many of these backways, so I suppose my question is:
Do the tensions about rights of way and conveyance type [e.g. horse, foot, bike, motor crosser, paraglider] stem from the practical fact that some areas are just oversubscribed ....
or .. are there better reasons for the land use apartheid that we have in this country?
Phew.
For a new route, I tend to look at explorer maps and use the rights of way to work up a circuit. Then as I get to know an area, I'm open to working in some short cuts.
For instance, if a public footpath was passable and suitable, I'd ride it; if a non-rights-of-way track led to open access areas, I'd ride it; if an open access area was rideable, I'd ride it.
[Check out a map: there are some open access areas that have no apparent right of way leading to them: maybe ramblers have a special helicopter with gaitors ....]
I leave gates as I find them, take off my hat to ladies and make soothing noises to passing horses and nursing cows. But as a cyclist and a walker, I'm not too fussed for the finer points of the differences between a bridleway, a green lane, a footpath or a track.
Now, I should say that round my way there isn't too much competition for many of these backways, so I suppose my question is:
Do the tensions about rights of way and conveyance type [e.g. horse, foot, bike, motor crosser, paraglider] stem from the practical fact that some areas are just oversubscribed ....
or .. are there better reasons for the land use apartheid that we have in this country?
Phew.
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