Off Roading?

YouTube - Top Gear - Fox Hunt (s11e05)


Not into the mud so much but do like
a big bit of desert (or a really big beach)
that's inaccessible by paved road.

Yes, there are to many rules already.

yes it should...its so much fun....

People should be allowed to do whatever they like within the law, its not for ramblers to say what off roaders can do or vice versa. People are different and one persons pleasure is another persons pain.

I like rambling and 4x4 off road driving.

i have no problem with walking in the countryside(why it needs a daft name is beyond me) but they need to drop the militant attitude, they may have the right to walk accross the land but they dont own it.

they dont help their cause by walking straight through crops rather than round the edge of the field, just because the map says the path is through the field doesnt mean its sensible to follow it.

i grew up in the country and ramblers can be a bit of a menace, leaving gates open, letting dogs run wild, and walking though crops, but at least the ones dressed to tackle the north face of the eiger are good for a laugh, what is it with those daft walking poles and will someone please tell them its not a good idea to walk 3 or 4 abreast with the flow of traffic down narrow winding country lanes

oh this isnt a rant about ramblers? bugger! oh well at least ive got it off my chest

I agree about the infringement of rights, but on the other hand off-roading does an incredible amount of damage. How do you resolve the situation?

Only in open areas.

Originally Posted by Fraser

I agree about the infringement of rights, but on the other hand off-roading does an incredible amount of damage. How do you resolve the situation?

No more damage than a group of horse riders - unless the damage is in a nature reserve whats the problem? Nature will repair itself over time and its no less damage than a farmer ploughing a field. Even ramblers on well walked routes leave a path - is that considerd damage as well?

I have to say its the ramblers who have the problem and not the 4x4 enthusiasts. The ramblers need to get over it as they dont own the countryside.

Originally Posted by Jimmy D

No more damage than a group of horse riders - unless the damage is in a nature reserve whats the problem? Nature will repair itself over time and its no less damage than a farmer ploughing a field. Even ramblers on well walked routes leave a path - is that considerd damage as well?

I have to say its the ramblers who have the problem and not the 4x4 enthusiasts. The ramblers need to get over it as they dont own the countryside.

Any damage is damage. Ploughed fields are ploughed to feed us, not for some rich oiks to have a bit of fun.

Any rambler worth their salt will stick to well trodden paths and help repair any damage they do (I'm not a red-socked rambler by the way, I'm just aware of the arguments. In fact, as a mountain biker I've had a run-in or two with ramblers. Mountain bikes do less damage than ramblers btw).

4x4 tracks can get very deep and lead to further erosion - have you seen some of the damage in the lakes or Dales caused by off-roaders?

I think the UK may be a bit too small to cater for everyone.



(But Ramblers can be most annoying in my experience. )

Originally Posted by Nev

(But Ramblers can be most annoying in my experience. )

They can - I've been chased down a hill by ramblers waving their sticks at me; all because my mate had razzed through the group on his mountain bike just seconds beforehand

Originally Posted by Fraser

Any damage is damage. Ploughed fields are ploughed to feed us, not for some rich oiks to have a bit of fun.

Any rambler worth their salt will stick to well trodden paths and help repair any damage they do (I'm not a red-socked rambler by the way, I'm just aware of the arguments. In fact, as a mountain biker I've had a run-in or two with ramblers. Mountain bikes do less damage than ramblers btw).

4x4 tracks can get very deep and lead to further erosion - have you seen some of the damage in the lakes or Dales caused by off-roaders?

Not sure I understand why you think 4x4 off-roaders are rich oiks, I know a few enthusiasts and they are not rich at all, its just their hobby.

In the grouse moors they burn the land to make way for new growth, the damage caused by off roading will eventually do the same. Nature will provide the solution. Its not like the whole of Britain is besieged by off-roaders and all of the country side is ruined. Its about respecting what other people want to do. If ramblers dont like to look at the tracks left by off-roaders - dont walk there. Why not walk on one of the other million or so paths available.

Originally Posted by Jimmy D

Not sure I understand why you think 4x4 off-roaders are rich oiks, I know a few enthusiasts and they are not rich at all, its just their hobby.

I know - I shouldn't have done that - it was a hook with a worm attached.

It's not just about looking at the damage btw. Unfortunately nature's way of fixing 4x4 damage is using the tracks as drainage channels which can cause all sorts of problems as well as erosion. This can exacerbate flooding in previously unaffected areas, as well as silting up of drainage systems and watercourse.

The cororally is that you can build anywhere you like, because nature will fix it. Doesn't work and that's why we have a planning system.

I'm not saying don't do it, I'm saying you can't just go and do it where you please. Other outdoor pursuits are managed, motorised off-road activity doesn't appear to be.

Open up more green lanes !!!!

Originally Posted by Fraser

The cororally is that you can build anywhere you like, because nature will fix it.

Is that a new Toyota ?

I've voted yes, let's do it.

That doesn't mean to say people shouldn't show a bit of respect for other users or to the land owners and some common sense regarding speed etc.

Walkers should still be able to enjoy a peaceful walk but they don't have exclusive rights to enjoyment nor should they dictate to others.


Why do Ramblers always seem so damned "preachy" about everything?