Rogue Motor Cycling

06/08/2008 by Simeon Orme.

If you concerned about off-road motor cycling especially in the National Parks you may like to visit the web site of the Campaign Against Rogue Motorcycling.

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Local Access Forums

27/07/2008 by Simeon Orme.

Until fortnight ago I was one of the many in England who would of put up their hand and said that did not know anything about Local Access Forums, so what happen to change this! I was sent the Annual Report of the Lake District Local Access Forum which I have posted the Chairman’s Summary up on the site’s news section, so after reading the report and looking on the forum website, I decided it was well worth going to one of their meetings which are open to members of the public, so I when to one which was held on the 21st July at the Hydro Hotel, Bowness on Windermere it was interest evening with presentation from Richard Fox of the Lake District National Park Authority on the Fix the Fells approach to landscape improvement and another presentation from Mike Clarke the director of the Lake District World Heritage Project on the possible implications for access of the project. It well worth making the journey up to Bowness from Lancaster just to listen to these presentations.

So why is so important for the Rough-Stuff Fellowship members to attend meetings of the 81 Local Access Forums  in England which are statutorily prescribed independent bodies, introduced by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. The main job of these forum is to advise their appointing authority on improvements of public access to land in that area for the purposes of open air recreation and the enjoyment of the area, roughly this means for RSF members and other off-road cyclists they offer advise to their appointing authority on upgrading public rights of way so that we have more tracks to ride on!

Each Local Access Forum comprise appointed members who must be representative of both users of local rights of way or access land and owners and occupiers of access land or land encompassing local rights of way.

I n case of the Lake District Local Access Forum this make up of 20 appointed members (who are volunteers who don’t get pay to go these meetings) 7 members represent recreation use ie cycling, walking etc. 7 members represent  land management ie tentants, landowners, commoners, etc. 5 members represent Special interest ie nature conseration, heritage, tourism, business etc.. 1 member represent the National Park Authority. The members usually serve for three years. There is a rolling programme of appointment, with up seven members appointed each year.

The main Local Access Forums which concern members of the Lancashire Group, South Lakes Group and North Peak & South Pennine Group are: Cumbria Local Access Forum, Lake District Local Access Forum, Yorkshire Dales Local Access Forum, Lancashire Local Access Forum, PeakDistrict Local Access Forum, Cheshire and Warrington Local Access Forum, North Yorkshire Local Access Forum, West Yorkshire Local Access Forum and  Derby and Derbyshire Local Access Forum.

You find full list local access forums at this link on the Natural England website.

I  think it would be good long term policy for the Rough-Stuff Fellowship to try get a to member serve on each above Local Access Forums and if you interested rights of ways issues there alot of useful imformation posted on these local access forums.

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Joe Thompson

04/07/2008 by Simeon Orme.

Members will be sad to here that Joe Thompson has passed away at the age of 73, I will post photo of him up in the site’s Off-road cycling heroes from past section in next few weeks.

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News Flash from Elenydd Wilderness Trust Grant for Dolgoch Youth Hostel

04/07/2008 by Simeon Orme.

The grant application for £82,000 to improve the structure and amenities at Dologoch has been successful!

This is European money which has been allocated to the Ceredigion Rural Development Plan via the Welsh Assembly.

Improvements will take place over the next 3 years and will include structural repairs, some changes to the interior of the building and the addition of disabled accommodation. Everything will be done sympathetically to maintain the unique character of the place. And of course major repairs to the access track are high on the list of priorities.

As far as possible Dolgoch will remain open during this period and any periods of closure will kept to an absolute minimun.

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Pedalling to Panama

25/06/2008 by Simeon Orme.

Hello, I want to introduce myself as the author of Pedalling to Panama, a book I have written about a solo bike ride I recently completed from northern Mexico to the Panama Canal - over 7,000 kilometres. It was a fantastic ride which took seven months and my book describes incidents, the places, and the people; as well as some history of this unique part of the world.

I would like to ask if you could bring this book to the attention of your members - maybe you have an email distribution. I am also available for talks and/or book signing events as I return to Britain in July for a few months. You can read about me on www.cliveparker.co.uk and and the book is available through www.amazon.com as well as the publisher, Author House. I have self-published, which means I do not have the backing of major commercial promotions.

However, writing and publishing the book has been an exctiting ride! I have a flyer which includes a photo of me and a picture of the cover of the book. However, I do not attach this to introductory emails as I know many people are nervous about attachments from people they don’t  already know. If you want to see this I could forward it later. By way, I have also cycled around Ecuador, and an article about this is scheduled to appear in the October CTC Magazine.

Regards Clive Parker

The above is from e-mail forward to me by Mike Hutchinson the Secretary of Lancaster CTC Group 

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A week is long time on the web!

24/06/2008 by Simeon Orme.

Wars, arguments are all start by someone criticizing someone else over something he or she has not done! Well I learned over pass 43 years and eleven months that I having been living on this planet it taught me when someone criticize me over what I done in the past it is hard to take! Its good policy sit down have think about what they had said and usually about 90% of the time they are right, some times its is hard admit this! Also hard to put your hand up and say that they are right but I learned allot from people criticizing me in the past unfortunately in the age instant communications we don’t have time to think about what we wrote and fire it off over internet has a e-mail or post it up on a website, we sometimes regret this!

Unfortunately I said somethings on this blog last week that I regret and which I have apologize for and should stay out of it but we should remember that RSF officials are only volunteers and hope certain members remember this in the future.

Now getting on to the York Cycle Show I like thank Peter and others for manning the stand, I know how hard it is to stand there from doing it myself in the past, I don’t know how well the show went but I hope you did not get a soaking like we did on the  Sunday on the South Lakes Group  ride.

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Putting my foot in it!

24/06/2008 by Simeon Orme.

It seem I am very good at putting my foot in it of late and especially over past week for criticizing others for things they should have done or have not done unfortunately I upset Geoff and Lynne by doing this and decide to resign as the Public Relation and Advertising Officer with immediate effect to be fair I don’t blame them for doing so and apologize to them for doing so and any wrongs I cause them!

I not going to fallout with them over the matter and they still welcome to come out on South Lake Group rides if they wish to do so!

I would also like to point out that reason I post my newsletter comments on this blog is to give visitors to the website a opportunity to read them and comment on them at end of the day the operating costs of South Lakes Group Website are met by myself and not the Rough-Stuff Fellowship I do need keep the website update and interesting so visitors will keep coming back to the site.

I hope it is lesson to all we have to be very careful who we criticise before we open our mouths to speak or type.

Posted in Rough-Stuff Fellowship, South Lakes Group | Print | 1 Comment »

Routes in the Northern Lancaster Urban Fringe

23/06/2008 by Simeon Orme.

Outline

This is a proposal to create quite routes for walkers, cyclists and horses leading from the northern end of the Lancaster built up area into the countryside. There will be no restrictions on residents to gain access to their properties.

The proposal is made by Lancaster Group of the Ramblers’ Association and is supported by the local cycling and horse riding groups.

Reasons

The Lancashire Rights of way Improvement Plan includes policies to improve rights of way especially from built up  areas into the countryside and for the less able.

Lancaster has a cycle town initiative.

There is a shortage of horse riding routes.

The Inspector for the Heysham-M6 link road required more study of cycle routes on the route.

The Proposals

1. Change the northern section of Powder House Lane to a Restricted Byway. This is very narrow between high hedges with almost no passing places. At present this has no restrictions except a width restriction for access. There are residents only at the very northern end. Althrough this route would end on a busy, narrow road there is potential to create a link from the end of Powder House Lane on Hasty Brow to the Shore Road.
2. Change the section of Barley Cop Lane from the intersection with Powder House Lane to the turning circle near the end of Hammerton Hall Lane to a Restricted Byway.This is wide between hedges but with bad visibility at the railway bridge. There is often excessive speed with consequent reduced safety and loss of amenity to non-motorised traffic.This section contains the entrance to the Crematorium which has a one way system exiting onto the southern section of Powder House Lane. Fast traffic is detrimental to the solemnity of the area. The restriction would effectively make the Crematorium entrance at the cross roads with a clear ‘Crematorium traffic only’ sign.
3. Make Foley Lane into a footpath or bridleway, depending on the status of the canal tow path where it goes. This is narrow lane giving access to the canal towpath. There are residents at Foley Farm. The Lane to the turning circle on Barley Cop Lane would be access only.
4. Make Hammerton Hall Lane from Barley Cop Lane to the A6 a Restricted Byway. This is a very narrow lane between hedges with few passing places and no residents. It has no entry, except for access signs.
5. Make Green Lane into a Restricted Byway. It is a narrow and largely unmetalled track which is only just passable by private car. There are a few residents at the North end.
6. Create Grimshaw Lane into a Restricted Byway or Bridleway. It is a very narrow track with high hedges between the M6 bridge where two bridleways join, to the A683 near Denny Beck. Its status is not clear.

Benefits

Briefly

• Its hits a lot of PROWIP targets.
• It Helps people get out of town easily and safely.
• It extends walking, cycling and riding networks to create more loop routes.
• It increases safety by reducing motor traffic on narrow lanes.
• It reduces some ‘rat-running’ routes.
• It could reduce the cost of the link road.

Appendix 1

The proposed Heysham-M6 Link.

The proposed road cuts the sections of Powder House Lane, Foley Lane and Green Lane that are proposed here to be downgraded. A slight realigment of the section of Barley Cop Lane near the cross roads may be involved. These are little used routes and are likely to be closed during the construction. There seems to be little reason why the proposed changes not be made before the decision is made. Some savings in design standards may be made by making the changes before the road design is finalised and the construction  starts. Grimshaw Lane is not affected by the new road.

Appendix 2

Extracts from the Lancashire CC Public Rights of Way Improvement Plan.

Policy IIN1: In deciding our improvement priorities, we will take into account the extent to which the improved route would contribute to:

- improving communitiy-to-community and community-to-countryside links;

-promotion of health walks;

Policy IIN6: We will develop working practices that: -ensure the needs of people with reduced mobility and visual impairment are taken into account particularly the need to minimise physical barriers (e.g. steps, stiles and bridges);

Policy BCC1: Where possible, cost effective and safe, and without unacceptable enviromental effects, we will:

-Create new sections of bridleway which can be used to provide the missing links in bridleway circuits or networks, or which can be used to provide access to bridleway networks from towns and villages;

-improve existing bridleways;

-actively seek funding to implement this policy.

Policy BCC3: We will promote better use of the existing network of bridleways and off-road cycling circuits in areas where we assess there to be an unmet need, including cross-border links.

Policy CCL2: We will work with local authority departments, user groups and community representatives as partners to:

-extend the criteria for assessing road crossings to include benefits of recreation and links to the wider countryside;

-identify and prioritize the locations for safe crossings in order to support a programme of improvements works.

Policy HRO2: We will adot working practices that:

-are consistent with best practice for routes with higher rights;

-make use of our powers to introduce Traffic Regulation Orders to manage the use of rights of ways, where necessary and appropriate.

Policy HRO3: We will identify and/or support Quiet Lane and Greenways initiatives that :

-implement the Forest of Bowland Quiet Lanes and Greenways Project, and will learn from experience in the County and nationally;

-offer potential public benefits at proportionate coats.

The above was put together by Brian Jones of the Lancaster Group of the Ramblers’ Association and who has  sent the above proposals to Lancashire County Highways and Lancaster City Council but he had no response from them.

Posted in Lancashire County Council, Lancaster City Council Cycling Newsletter | Print | No Comments »

Lancashire Group Update

23/06/2008 by Simeon Orme.

First of all I would like to express my appreciation to those members who have arranged and conducted rides on this year’s programme, and to those who have led group rides in my absence, thank you all.

This year we have been asked to put on a ride or two for the South Pennine Walking and Cycling Festival, these rides will appear in the next Journal, and are already on the websites in the forthcoming events section. The ride is on Wednesday 24th September, from Rivington Hall Barn to Darwen Tower, visiting Rivington Pike on the return leg, the lunch stop will be at the Tockholes Tea Room. The second ride which was already on our programme is from Hollingworth Lake on Sunday 28th September, to Hebden Bridge for lunch, via Blackstone Edge and Cragg Value, returning on the Rochdale Cannel towpath.

Again this year, under the R.S.F. banner, I have put rides on the Lancashire County Council Programme of Guided Rides, the next one is from Spring Wood, Whalley on Friday 27th June and the following one is from Wycoller, on Friday 25th July, this is primarily for people new to off-road cycling, and due to insurance requirements I have to advise that helmets are strongly recommended.

Please come along and support these events, which are open to the general public, and perhaps assist with the running of them, all the above rides start at 10-00am, contact me if you require further information.

Next year I intend to put all the rides under the auspices of the R.S.F. both in the Journal and on the Websites.

This year I have not organised any multi-day rides, next year I would like to include some, the Mary Towneley Loop of the Pennine Bridleway has been mooted, this would be over a two day period again, staying at Mankinholes Y.H.A. overnight, each day would be about thirty five miles. I welcome any thoughts that members may have for events next year, be it a one day ride for the programme, or perhaps a few days camping, a bunkhouse, a Y.H.A. or something entirely new! Please put your suggestions forward.

Anyway that’s all for now, safe cycling Brian Parkinson

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Oh dear I have upset someone!

21/06/2008 by Simeon Orme.

Unfortunately I have gone upset someone with some of my weekly rants on this blogs and in the e-newsletter which I send out each Thursday evening to those of you on the mailing list and he was not brave enough to leave a comment on this blog or even phone me up, he sent me a e-mail which is guarantee to wind me up! I hate relying to these e-mails you have choice you have a laugh about it and then delete it or spend hour or so writing a rely which could easily been sort out in five minute chat on the phone. So I  wrote a rely.

The theme of his e-mail that I should not use this blog or Where the Cafe e-newsletter for ‘Criticising other RSF officials behind their back is contray to the spirit of the Fellowship’ yes I may have done so! I did call the photo on the back of the current Journal boring but the photo on the back cover of the March-April issue was great photo taken by Tracey Maund but that my personal opinion and that what good blog is all about! Yes I did encourage you all to complain but its your club but the editor can use only the material you send him and there also photo library on the four area group websites of over 3,000 photos which he could use but at end of the day what is good photo is down to your personal choice.

Yes I did criticise previous public relations officers for not attending the York Cycle Show which I do apologize for but why is so important to go, well you get allot members of the public who happen to be cyclists and RSF members coming up to the stand and telling you what they think about the club and sometimes they have some great ideals which you can use.

Well my attack on the RSF national website I will leave it up to you to decide if I am right or wrong about it!  I should point out the RSF was one of the first national cycling clubs to have one!

In ending my e-mailer said ‘I’m sure most of us would be quite open to constructive criticism’ I think most people would like you to use the phone if you going to criticize them and not e-mail.

In ending this post, yes I going to upset someone even if I don’t try do so when I writing one of my weekly rants about something but at end of the day you have the right of rely at the bottom of this post to comment if you agreed or disagreed with me.

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