www.nfed.co.uk

...anybody else getting more and more enraged by the amount of cyclists on forest roads? ... the head down bums up not looking where they are going is to be honest dangerous! ...and after east boldre drift where we nearly killed a few (oh dear ) ..beacuase they come in their thousands and race on the very roads where we are trying to round up ponies! ... we need to take ownership of the roads from the highways or something so we can organise these cycle events around our forest events becuase quite frankly we were here first they are visitors and the organisors of these events need to be less ignorant of the forest ways .. its annoying and seriously dangerous for us and them! ...

It's not just the area you are in we encounter cycle races around the roads and lanes in the Meon Valley and mountain bikers on the tracks, it is worse at weekends and bank holidays . I do feel clubs should educate members more , and the individuals involved be more polite and aware that horses and ponies are easily frightened by the speedy silent arrival of a "pack " of cyclists , after all they are hardly going to be undamaged in the event of a collision , and if they are the owner or rider could soon put that matter right ! (sorry Steve )

They make me mad ( although I am sure there are some responsible ones ) As a driver we are expected to know when they are going to suddenly stop, swerve out in the road, turn right, etc etc, because they certainly are not going to give us a hint Whilst on the subject, it makes me so cross to see so many on the forest in the summer, I definately think there should be more leaflets and signs for visitors so they can not use the " but we didn't know, there are no signs" one!!

Jetsam - not quite sure who you are - but then you probably dont know me either under this name! I was on the east boldre drift too, it was bad wasnt it? I deliberately rode in the middle of the road to bugger up the cyclists race oh what a shame

I ride in the burley area and every weekend there are races on the thorney hill road where the cyclists seem to think they have right of way over all other road traffic through the pinch points which becomes more and more anger making week in and week out getting to my ponies. Then once I'm on the forest (where as I understand it the cycles are supposed to stay on gravelled routes) every path I ride on has clear cycle tracks in the sand, and what is worse they ride around any dips, bumps or puddles widening the paths further and increasing erosion of the delicate peat layer (about 6inches thick here) over the thin sand layer over the chal gravel. The erosion is happening so fast that in the 4 years that i have kept my ponies in Burley previously smooth lawns (such as Burbush to Rowly Pond) are now so uneven they are dangerous to take at speed - the Rumtugger is very clear on this point, and he loves a good gallop on grass!!
I believe there is a by-law about the cycles on the Forest but the NPA does not appear to honour it and seems to be actively encouraging off path cycling which is very worrying, since they were very quick to point the blame for path erosion at riders.
Further rant when they have their races on the open forest they mark the way with flappy coloured tapes, is this a deliberate effort to give me a more exciting ride than normal

Theres been some interesting comments on cyclists in the lymington times recently if anyone hasnt seen it! ... whatever the arguments for both sides something needs to be done to better organise cycling events and bylaws protecting the forest need to be emphisysed much stonger to visitors ... because thats what they all are at the end of the day ...VISITORS! we live here and want to carry on with our forest events and life like we did before the NPA arrived and invited thousands more people here! if the NPA want to earn respect from local groups and people its issues such as these that i think they need to start addressing seriously!

Just gotta train the ponies like this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2oymHHyV1M&sns=fb

Hahaha let this be warning

Where can i buy a few of those?????

Brilliant ! ! One down, five hundred million more to go . . . . . (if only !)

I would also like to add my disgust at the complete lack of highway code use and downright ignorance from these 'idiots'!

Last Sunday 9th October, I was walking, on a lead rein, my 8yo niece. I was indicating right into Arters Lawn off Beaulieu Rd, just before Bold Forrester. A vey large group (approx 30-40) of 'professional' cyclists were just coming to the T-juncion on my right, and, instead of obeying the law and giving us right of way, they stupidly decided they were'nt going to take their feet out of their precious pedals and just carried on!!! Leaving myself, pony and niece, standing in middle of road, quite frankly in disbelief. Not only was this illegal, but highly dangerous (if you know the bend you'll understand why) and not one thank-you
I truly agree that something needs to be done and sooner rather than later as this is an accident waiting to happen

would like to say most of these cyclists arent visitors they actually live here! there are good and bad in all hobbies yes they get on my nerves find them very ignorant but have to say have met alot of ignorant horse riders as well! even to the extent of a few riders galloping in the middle of the rd, but these bad people give other good riders in cycling and horse riding a bad name

The forest should be a place for ALL to enjoy, whether on horses, bikes, running or walking. We should all be considerate to each other. Yes some cyclists are rude and inconsiderate but most are friendly and polite to me when I'm riding, probably because I am friendly and polite to them! It is arogant to suggest that we should take ownership of the forest roads and suggestions like these just give horse riders a bad name. I ride on the forest every day and have done for over 40 years but I also cycle to work. I am not a visitor

All very true, but to be fair to us moaners I think if you look at the beginning of the thread the complaint is mostly about the clubs that hold races on the Forest, not so much about individual riders. As ever some nice and some nasty in every walk of life. My first post I actually had a moan about the racing cyclists attitude to cars not just horses! As to all enjoying the Forest, quite true, however the NFDC by-law against bicycles on Forest tracks exists - not made up by me. Their is a lot of discussion between the NPA and the verderers about this, and to the best of my knowledge they are still not in agreement. Time will tell I guess.

My annoyance is at cycling races where thousands of cyclists take over the road for the weekend making it virtually impossible to get from A to B, scaring the crap out of horseriders and sometimes even dogs. Particularly when the cycling route chosen clashes quite dramatically with one of the pony round ups i.e East boldre drift as it is dangerous for all involved however with a bit of communication and respect for local events and traditions such as the round ups this could easily be avoided. Hence the reasoning behind taking ownership of the roads in the new forest to better organise the events not to exclude them totally. The new forest is an exception with livestock roaming free i therefore think we need to make exceptions like having people who organise these events having to ask permission first and if they have to move the date or route then im afraid thats what they should do ...we 'the commoning/horseriding/everyday/local person' should be put first! why shouldnt we be priority over the tourist for once! ...In reality bicycles are technically 'traffic' ... you and i are not allowed to race our cars on the road becuase we are traffic so why are cyclists allowed?????? really it is beyond me as racing implies speed and the increase of risk taking to keep time, for example ... not stopping at the end of the road at norley wood when the police had told them to because 40 plus ponies and 30 plus horseriders would be coming at speed in the opposite direction!!!!!!!!!!!


Bloody stupid if you ask me.

Many moons ago my father God rest his soul was one of these Bike Riders.However in their day they had to race as in time trials before 7 or 8 in the morning as they had to clear the roads. They all had to have insurance in order to race, so if the cyclists want to race particularly in summer ride before 7, not a problem if they are that keen.

Have to say that we were at a drift today near an area frequented by lots of cyclists, they were all polite and went to great lengths to keep out of our way.

My thoughts are, It would be useful if the cyclist organisers gave advanced warning along the intended routes. I wonder which authority, if any is notified of an event any why then is it not checked with the Verderers Office.

Here is a link to the Wiggles cyclist web site, which provides maps of the routes
http://www.ukcyclingevents.co.uk/events/

The Events for 2012 are listed as; 14th 15th April, 7th 8th July and 6th 7th October
You may also note on the web site that it is a timed event with awards and a results page.

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/198 ... cle-racing see section 31

Haha - at the risk of being branded the biggest cycle hater on NFED just thought I would tell you all about article on Brekfast News today. The cycle route for the Olympics has been announced recently and is being hugely frequented by aspiring racing cyclists trying it out for themselves. the roads have become so dangerous for locals to drive on that their local police are suggesting that the cyclists should do a road safety training course before they are allowed on the roads. Nuf said!

Well if you are the biggest cycle hater on the board then I'm snapping at your heals in close second place

As a cyclist (but not a racer), I can tell you that ALL motorists hate cyclists

have to beg to differ im a motorist and dont hate cyclists ! i do get frustrated when they ar in groups and cant get round them but then again my husbad was driving down a road last weekend and 2 hge horses and riders decided to take up the whol rd includeing the other side of the rd which like the cyclist is just ignorant. so there is bad in all walks in life