RIDER RIGHTS

click here to read more

Says Naomi Smith

Says Naomi SmithIt is all too possible to round a corner on horseback and come upon a group of cattle with no prior warning -this WILL result in a horse being badly spooked at best, bolting at worst -it is only a matter of time ........... read more

Wiggle Cycle Racing

- The whole approach from SCC in dealing with unlawful racing on rights of way and the unlawful use by cycles of common land especially the common around Leith hill and The Hurtwood where SCC has help fund unlawful Mountain Bike courses is laughable if it was not so blatant and complicit.

Says Bob Milton

Says Bob MiltonMy experience a month ago of a sportive organised by southern Trails is that they have no control over the cyclists participating in the timed event. I met over 50 in the space of 20 minutes on BW 101 Hankley and the published instruction of stop and dismount when meeting horses was ignored by all but three who did stop when shouted at.

The whole approach from SCC in dealing with unlawful racing on rights of way and the unlawful use by cycles of common land especially the common around Leith hill and The Hurtwood where SCC has help fund unlawful Mountain Bike courses is laughable if it was not so blatant and complicit.

It seems no one has saught to legally challenge SCC or the CTC/MBA on their interpretation of what is considered racing ie any timed event whether mass or individual starts.

 

Comments June McDermott

"I think the only way is to go out en masse and block their way - do to them as they do to you."

Says June McDermott

Wiggle Cycle RacingWe too at Polesden lacey bookham area suffer same.

Unfortunately the "holiday" excuse would prove to be untrue. It's their way of putting you off. I think the only way is to go out en masse and block their way - do to them as they do to you. David Hodge leader of SCC lives in Tandridge and doesn't want these races anywhere near him. That's why he did the deal with Boris Johnson for west surrey. It's cynical in the extreme. Sadly if we don't live on his patch we can't vote him out which is what is needed here.

I would ask u to watch the select committee on BBC Parliament on 10th February now on their iplayer where helyn clack did stand up for the local villages and towns of west Surrey. I was shocked and pleasantly surprised to hear it on BBC tv but Hodge who was sitting next to her said nothing, I didn't even detect a nod of agreement. Maybe I looked away at the wrong time but doubt it. I have been in email conversation with him and am happy for Penny to pass it round as he says that our area is the best for cyclists. I am awaiting a response to my return email of yesterday at 6 pm.

Comments Sally Andrews

- I have been on the receiving end of road race cyclists locally who were frankly dangerous, abusive egomaniacs who were breaking the law.

- The road race bicyclists are forcing horse riders off the road

- Why should 800 other people think that their sport be more important and make the lives of others using the hill on that day less significant? Are we not all equally entitled to use the paths - and what would happen for example if riders decided to have a sponsored ride on that day, or a riding club - organise a group ride?

Says Sally Andrews

Wiggle Cycle RacingI am pleased to learn that briefings will be given to the 800 plus cyclists by ukcyclingevents.co.uk. I too would be interested to know what is contained in the information pack which will be dished out to the participants, as so far it would seem scant consultation with equestrians has been sought or invited.

I certainly hope that your horse meets the cyclists in a favourable way, although as you say how the organisers will be able to ensure intelligent behaviour prevails en route is unclear - but hey they are optimists. Sadly I am less so, having been on the receiving end of road race cyclists locally who were frankly dangerous, abusive egomaniacs who were breaking the law. (Highways Regs) The authorities in the form of the local councillors, are not interested in anything other than furthering their political nests and have no interest in the residents, their wishes or opinions. >

The road race bicyclists are forcing horse riders off the road - and in the more clement weather these people will be coming in their droves. There is no empathy for the local residents or road users - the cyclists are king as far as the authorities are concerned. Despite numerous complaints to SCC and the police, they are simply not interested in making them tow the line as far as safety or civil behaviour is concerned.

I have written countless times to my local councillor and she has given up replying, I have written 3 times to Paul Beresford and he has not given me the courtesy of a reply. The Police merely come out with platitudes. So because it has become so dangerous to ride locally, and Helyn Clack - our councillor doesn't care about us, I will be coming to Leith Hill to ride - after all, there are no local provisions for me here - so why not - but now SCC are allowing a further influx of cyclists to invade the Surrey Hills, to damage the ancient byways and bridleways.

The £24,000 which this cycle race will generate (conservative estimate here) will not be put back into repairing the erosion to Leith Hill and the surrounding paths - no ... it will go into the pockets of the race organisers. >

Welcome to the real world - the voracious cycling fraternity are being given a precedent, both on the road and off the road. SCC back them totally because it tows the party line in 'getting Britain cycling'. They are not interested in the dynamics, the feasibility, the residents or the logistics and ride rough shod over everyone who stands in their way. I totally agree we should all enjoy the countryside equally - but right now, cycling is to the detriment of everyone else, be they walkers, riders, kids, photographers; you name them ... get a bike and you can do what you like. Reminds me of George Orwell - but in this case it is "Two wheels good, and anything else is bad". You've probably guessed I am angry - and yes I am. I'm sick of the corruption. This latest race - and yes it is a race - because if it wasn't why would you need the electronic timing they grandly advertise on the web page? We are not talking about touring speeds here with pleasantries exchanged between other users on the hill. They will be racing, fast and furious and God help you if you get in the way. What part of the entry fee will be used to repair the damage that will be caused. But more importantly - why should 800 other people think that their sport be more important and make the lives of others using the hill on that day less significant? Are we not all equally entitled to use the paths - and what would happen for example if riders decided to have a sponsored ride on that day, or a riding club - organise a group ride? The blatant and continued lack of consultation, with the cavalier attitude that the cycling event will just take precedence whatever and over whomsoever is astonishing - how do they know that a ride of 10000 riders has not been organised for that very same day?? Talk is cheap - but the arrogance displayed here is frankly unprecedented.

When there is such a poor demonstration of guidance and leadership from SCC, with a sickening bias such as we are seeing, is it is any wonder that feelings are running high?

Comments Michael Loates-Taylor

"If bridleways are to be used by walkers, cyclists and horses then it is imperative that more attention be given to their up keep and repair and also how the users can all respectfully co exist…..at the moment it feels like the cycling fraternity are being given precedent. "

Says Michael Loates-Taylor

Wiggle Cycle RacingI notice that the course map runs along the bridleway I use to take my horse from Sheephouse Lane, where he is at Livery, out onto Leith Hill and beyond….i.e. the bridleway down to Broadmoor.

I have asked ukcyclingevents.co.uk what they intend to do in regard to informing the 800 or so cyclists about what they should do when meeting horses on the bridleways during this event.The gentleman who I need to speak to is away on holiday but I have been assured that the cyclists will all be properly briefed before they start the course and that all participants are being provided with an information pack about acknowledeging and giving way to pedestrians and horses etc.

What I would like to know is the content of the info pack and the cyclists briefing and now await a call from the representative of UK cycling.

I have no intention of keeping my horse couped up at the yard on a weekend….it is a tricky balance to find time for work and exercising horses….so I am very keen to understand how the organisers are going to ensure behavioral intelligence to the many cyclists on the 26th April as there is every chance that my three quarter thoroughbred 18 hand Irish Sport horse and I will get to meet a few of them…..I hope in a good way!

Is there, following on from the event, going to be some responsibility for repairing the inevitable damage that is going to be caused to the bridleways with the density of cyclists using them? I live in hope but please, just how many more cycling events are we going to have to endure in this area are there not other locations….the surface of the bridleways on the North Downs have been steadily eroded and ruined over the past 15-20 years which ties in well with the increase of cyclists using them.

If bridleways are to be used by walkers, cyclists and horses then it is imperative that more attention be given to their up keep and repair and also how the users can all respectfully co exist…..at the moment it feels like the cycling fraternity are being given precedent.

Comments Penny Tyson-Davies

- I am constantly being asked for help now to see how these horrific speed events can be stopped before there is a serious accident to an innocent horse rider

- It is time to say enough is enough! It must be stopped - dead - before someone is killed - dead.

- Bridleways are not suitable for speeding wheels!

Says Penny Tyson-Davies

Wiggle Cycle RacingOn Saturday, 26th April, the area will be closed (unofficially!) for all other users as it will be too dangerous for horse riders, dogs, walkers and children.

I am constantly being asked for help now to see how these horrific speed events can be stopped before there is a serious accident to an innocent horse rider. If you look at this website, you will see how fast they are going and if you can imagine a horse rider suddenly encountering a mob of speeding mountain bikers on the normally peaceful hills of the North Downs, surely you will see how dangerous this sort of event is. Nobody should have to trawl through these websites to find out when/if it is safe to go for a horse ride!

It is time to say enough is enough! It must be stopped - dead - before someone is killed - dead. If/when this should happen, and you have not pulled the plug on it, how will you be able to rest at night?

Incidentally, some of this route possibly goes along permissive NT tracks. The gates are tied open. One downhill gateway on BW111 is being used as a jump! Yet in 2012, we complained about how difficult this gate is with its steep step and its fast self closing mechanism and were promised that it would be made safe. Obviously nothing had been done when this video was taken a year later! Has anything been done since?

There are surfaces being trashed as the stones are flicked up through the air! You are finding it difficult enough to cope with the expense of keeping bridleways in good order, yet this sort of behaviour is being condoned and companies like Wiggle are making huge profits out of us! It is unbelievable! It is also completely unlawful. Bridleways are not suitable for speeding wheels!

Says Linda Wright

Says Linda WrightWe moved to a Shropshire location a year ago having surveyed the local OS map and noted the significant number of bridleways around the property. Sadly the map appears a total fiction. Scarce any of the bridleways are usable ........... read more

Read more here


Email this to a friend !!

Enter recipient's e-mail: