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CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Cycling News
Fatbike Trails
(13 posts)-
Posted 13 years ago #
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Ohhh - I sense an outing...
Robert
Posted 13 years ago # -
Roibeard, Keep me in the loop. I fancy some of this too.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Ditto!
Posted 13 years ago # -
Fatbike Trails would much rather have open dialogue between all intetrested parties than see areas closed off to fatbikes.
I'm not sure where this is coming from. It's pretty difficult to get around the LR(S)A.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Druidh, sorry for my ignorance but what or who are LR(S)A? This statement about open dialogue came about after I emailed the Forestry Commission and other organisations with regard to organising trails and routes up in Tentsmuir. As you may know fatbikes are opening up where we can ride bikes, there are two bloggers in the local area which are uploading accounts of their rides. My concern was that in organising a route or trail in Tentsmuir I could be seen to be promoting riding through the NNR (National Nature Reserve), I was also concerned that as popularity of those bikes grew then more would be riding on a relatively fragile coastline. I have however been glad to find out that the majority of fatbike owners are, how can I put it, older and more mature; possibly with an interest in the environment and the outdoors.
Interest in these bikes will continue, I know of one other company just starting out which will also be offering fatbike rentals and organising routes and tours to highlight just what these bikes are capable of.
Posted 13 years ago # -
LR(S)A is the Land Reform (Scotland) Act which, in general terms, allows access to Scotland's countryside, as long as it is reasonable. So riding in Tentsmuir, for example, and accepting it's been a while since I've been there, would already probably be legal (there are exceptions, and I think SSSIs and the like are examples where it wouldn't apply - and I don't know if Tenstmuir has such status).
Posted 13 years ago # -
Righto, doing a bit of reading of the few posts on your site, I see where you're coming from. Yep, fat bikes do open up places to ride that other mountain bikes wouldn't be able to reach. As a general rule, if you could walk there, and by taking the bike you're causing no more damage/disturbance than by walking, you'll be fine.
A lot comes down to personal responsibilty.
Back up north where I grew up there's a great place to see seals. During pup season you are asked not to walk near where the seals are, but rather view them from the opposite side of a river mouth. There's no actual 'legal' requirement to this (unlike, say, disturbing birds nests) but walking near them at that time of year would be 'unreasonable' access.
It's an area that is chock-ful of greyness and is primarily based on opinion of what is reasonable!
Posted 13 years ago # -
Fatbiketrails - hello. I think druidh was trying to be helpful. The LR(S)A is the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003. This grants very wide rights of responsible access to land for cyclists. In effect, it is difficult for landowners to deny access to people cycling in a responsible manner. You can find more information on these access rights in the Outdoor Access Code at:
http://www.snh.gov.uk/docs/A309336.pdf
Still a good idea to contact SNH and discuss your plans. They are usually very helpful.
Posted 13 years ago # -
p.s. take a few fat bikes along to the Pedal on Parliament ride! You'll get a lot of attentipon, especially given the huge number of cyclists turning up - I'm sure it would be good for business (I'd have a shot for one!).
Posted 13 years ago # -
Spotted last night at Threipmiur Reservour, I spotted a chap on a Surly with FAt Tyres. Looks great and one of our group said he's also seen them at Glentress.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Morningsider - Hi, I was not questioning what Druidh was posting, I think that Druidh has a fatbike and most probably questioning where I was coming from.
I think you've all hit the nail on the head! If we're responsible and stay clear of SSSI's and NNR's especially during nesting time or when young are just born then we should be fine. My concern is that rather than 1 or 2 individuals on bikes riding in places not especially suited for bikes eg narrow coastal paths or sand dunes; I was planning to have up to 6 or 7 bikes possibly using the same route on a regular basis.
I'm possibly making a mountain out of a mole-hill, but your right Morningsider it would be a good idea to inform SNH of my intentions rather than just go ahead and ruffle feathers!
wrt Fatbikes at Pedal on Parliament, sound like a good idea and a great day too, I'll check it out.
Posted 13 years ago # -
You are definitely doing the right thing FBT. Why wait for criticism when you can already show you are being as responsible as possible?
Posted 13 years ago #
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