tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22496677.post1583471182355130561..comments2024-03-23T09:47:39.612+00:00Comments on alan sloman's big walk: Trial bike vandalism: Hundreds of ignorant bastards!Alan Slomanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17966543499033330765noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22496677.post-58840715561927201342016-11-03T15:52:29.723+00:002016-11-03T15:52:29.723+00:00Thanks, Colin.
This piece is over four years old n...Thanks, Colin.<br />This piece is over four years old now, and since writing it Lord Elpus and I haven't plotted any Challenge route that passes through this area. <br /><br />With wind farms proliferating across the western escarpment of the Monadh Liath and the Corrieyairack Pass trashed with larger pylons and what looks to be a permanent road (the Estates want to keep them) and the impending massive Stronelairg substation next to Garve Bridge, it's making plotting a route acorss increasing difficult.<br /><br />This post gets many regular visits from various Trials Bike webpages - Maybe, just maybe, they'll think about it?<br />But I honestly doubt it.Alan Slomanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17966543499033330765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22496677.post-57557485487072565072016-11-03T15:20:33.192+00:002016-11-03T15:20:33.192+00:00Well researched Alan though, sadly, as you demonst...Well researched Alan though, sadly, as you demonstrate, nothing new. This desecration has been going on for decades. I recall speaking to someone about it a couple of years ago and part of the justification was the impact on business and tourism in Fort William. Apparently, the event is immensely popular locally and there is a parade down the high street accompanied by cheering crowds. "Tradition", eh!<br />I predict that very soon you will receive a response from the organisers, couched in hurt and outraged tones. It will state that you (and all of us) are elitist, unwilling to share our playground with other outdoor users and disrespectful to the intentions of the outdoor access legislation. This has been the pattern in the past when the issue has been raised in various forums; these appalling people, unfortunately, are very well versed in their message and will brook no criticism. The hypocrisy will be breathtaking.<br /><br />Colin CrawfordColin Crawfordnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22496677.post-41341876702729199632015-05-18T17:02:02.665+01:002015-05-18T17:02:02.665+01:00I am a climber and love the highlands as do thousa...I am a climber and love the highlands as do thousands of people throughout the England and Wales.<br /><br />Everyone should be able to share this huge area and I'm 100% sure a few trials bikes will not irreversibly damage the highlands. <br /><br />With-in a few weeks no one will know that the trials bikes were ever there.<br /><br />A massive advantage is the money there bikers bring to the local, hotels, pubs, shops and restaurants.<br /><br />I'm sure 100+ trials bike for 1 week of the year will make the same mess as 1000+ walkers over a month. Janome millsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22496677.post-20115299777602774382015-03-15T21:48:17.832+00:002015-03-15T21:48:17.832+00:00I am interested in your position on this Iain. Are...I am interested in your position on this Iain. Are you someone who rides or is a supporter of trials bikes? Or perhaps you are a lover of the hills and regularly walk in the North York Moors?<br />Could you let me know, please?<br />Thank you.Alan Slomanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17966543499033330765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22496677.post-52739346176897928342015-03-15T20:29:35.795+00:002015-03-15T20:29:35.795+00:00I see trials on. The North Yorkshire moors large n...I see trials on. The North Yorkshire moors large numbers of bikes, the next day...nothing. Live and let live.Iain Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12663442580710557665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22496677.post-84769371417008216532012-08-16T23:36:05.040+01:002012-08-16T23:36:05.040+01:00I'll have a bit more time to devote to the blo...I'll have a bit more time to devote to the blog next week (I've been rather busy the last few weeks sorting stuff out) and I'm determined to follow this up.<br />Cheers Gibson.<br />:-)Alan Slomanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17966543499033330765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22496677.post-4494828353580325122012-08-16T13:11:46.153+01:002012-08-16T13:11:46.153+01:00As CT said, it's being going on for decades. W...As CT said, it's being going on for decades. We were caught up in it all many, many years ago returning to Kinlochleven from a day in the Mamores. There was no doubt about who they thought had 'right of way'. Morons the lot'em! afootinthehillshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06670636358354420373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22496677.post-33349172493451863292012-07-11T09:14:49.803+01:002012-07-11T09:14:49.803+01:00Fiona must have recently spoken to the Hypocrite-i...Fiona must have recently spoken to the Hypocrite-in-Chief, Fergus Ewing. Here he is, encouraging "sustainable and responsible" wildlife tourism:<br /><br />http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-18781406<br /><br />Quite in what way trial bikes are sustainable is something Fiona does not seem to go into much detail, does she?<br /><br />I bet the next policy document on Trident will say nuclear weapons are sustainable too... Is there anything left, apart from the Carbon bogey, that is *not* sustainable?Andy B.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22496677.post-29725000793591342102012-07-09T17:58:23.838+01:002012-07-09T17:58:23.838+01:00First off Alan I was not aware you were a Cymro, ...First off Alan I was not aware you were a Cymro, Da iawn i chi.<br /><br />Heres a copy of a reply from Event Scotland<br />Dear Bob,<br /> <br />Thanks for your email about the Scottish Six Day Trials. Organisers acknowledge that an event of this nature will have an environmental impact, but are committed to managing this pro-actively with landowners and environmental agencies to ensure minimum impact.<br /> <br />Fort William positions itself as the 'Outdoor Capital' of the UK and as such ensuring that a wide range of activities can co-exist sustainably is a top priority. The Fort William area supports a variety of sports and is an excellent location for hill walking.<br /> <br />Kind Regards,<br />FionaBob Andrewshttp://randombackpacking.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22496677.post-65586360858747222822012-07-09T01:31:41.334+01:002012-07-09T01:31:41.334+01:00Don't you love the Internet!Don't you love the Internet!Andrew Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14744521212967848460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22496677.post-41771010592609971832012-07-09T01:20:04.693+01:002012-07-09T01:20:04.693+01:00I stand corrected on that one.
I did indeed use t...I stand corrected on that one. <br />I did indeed use the w word in a far too generic sense.<br />Indeed, the tossers were on a footpath, and rightly accused. <br />I apply the w word to those who sanction such acts rather than the participants who do so quite legally although in my opinion often in inappropriate locations. <br />I often use an MTB, but I endeavour to minimise my footprint. <br />Feel free to ride your bike on any of our English roads if you can find one that isn't under water. <br />And if the path is repaired then I applaud that. But personally I cannot condone the damage. <br />That's that then.Andrew Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14744521212967848460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22496677.post-23577508174014063932012-07-09T00:26:37.443+01:002012-07-09T00:26:37.443+01:00Please don't take my word on this topic alone,...Please don't take my word on this topic alone, Gavin. Contact Dave Gibson at the MCofS and ask for his opinion. Talk to Chris Townsend. Both are highly respected mountain men, living and working in Scotland in the Outdoor World.<br /><br />Don't take the word of a Welshman (I am NOT English) - after all what do I know?Alan Slomanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17966543499033330765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22496677.post-48033386526826762522012-07-09T00:21:09.447+01:002012-07-09T00:21:09.447+01:00I will carry on publishing your comments, Gavin, ...I will carry on publishing your comments, Gavin, but they do not serve you well.<br /><br /><i><b>"If the English want to come up to my country..."</b></i> really does you no credit at all does it? It just makes you look silly.<br /><br />As to <i><b>"deal(ing) with our wonderful and diverse fauna and flora."</b></i> Well! We can see you're doing a grand job with that, with turbines encircling the Cairngorms, Donald Trump's Golf course, the illegal poisoning of raptors.... I could go on, but there's no need. The Scots should be cringing with embarrassment at what they are doing to their wild places. The SSDT ruining the paths is just one more example in a long list of wild crime. <br /><br />The repaired section to the path was done at the expense of the estate at the southern end of the section - <b>before</b> the SSDT event. I would respectfully suggest, Gavin, that you check YOUR facts before bursting into a splenetic hissy-fit.<br /><br />I'll continue to publish your comments as they serve only to ridicule your own argument, such as it is.Alan Slomanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17966543499033330765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22496677.post-34927434775525471672012-07-08T23:52:55.150+01:002012-07-08T23:52:55.150+01:00You are all absolutely correct. I am totally wrong...You are all absolutely correct. I am totally wrong. I couldnt give a flying fuck. Life is too short for this shit, I am a hopeless case ... I might as well kill myseMad Farquharhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15392650400828723535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22496677.post-36744827359412755842012-07-08T23:44:04.625+01:002012-07-08T23:44:04.625+01:00No you used the term tossers for those on the path...No you used the term tossers for those on the path. You used wankers to describe the SSDT folk. Some of whom are extremely talented youngsters and female. This blog is not one for being factually correct I have noted. As I hate being patronised I will not add any more to this skewed debate other than throwing in this political cracker:-<br />If the English want to come up to my country to hill walk thats fine , we respect that but sniping at our elected government and agencies will eventually get our backs up. You sort out your backyards and leave us to deal with our wonderful and diverse fauna and flora. We also have a mandate to run our country as we see fit. If you cannot accept that then why not just do us a favour and fuck off. By the way has anyone checked out the repairs to the section pictured? No I thought not.Mad Farquharhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15392650400828723535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22496677.post-19370495591366618442012-07-08T23:02:50.044+01:002012-07-08T23:02:50.044+01:00Top response Andy.
Nuff said :)Top response Andy.<br />Nuff said :)Andrew Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14744521212967848460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22496677.post-12211702382535365132012-07-08T20:28:34.498+01:002012-07-08T20:28:34.498+01:00Look, Mad Farquar, there is no question that hill ...Look, Mad Farquar, there is no question that hill walkers are far from innocent in this respect. The scar up the Beinn a' Ghlo Carn Liath wasn't caused by trial bikes but by Munro-baggers taking the shortest route to the summit. I am a hill walker but I have no problem saying that hill walkers can be wankers too. Before the current Munro bagging craze, there were far fewer scars on the hills (actually hill path damage is another argument in favour of trail shoes over leather boots!). The old deer stalker knew how to build paths and were masters of the art of zig-zagging up the hills. Glasgow taxi drivers by contrast (and I take only one, controversial example, but a fair description nonetheless in my experience...) like to go up a hill as fast as they can and their idea of fun is a straight line to the OS trig. Or think of Stac Pollaidh. So hill walkers *already* do a lot of damage. And so do estates with their increasing number of bulldozed paths.<br /><br />However, there is something singularly inappropriate about a bunch of middle-aged beer bellied mid-life crisis blokes congregating with motor vehicle for the sole purpose of 'having fun', making a lot of noise in places where the only noise is that farting of the deer. That this event is, as you say, "properly organised" is no justification for induging in the practice. The SS were a pretty well organised bunch. I'm not sure that condones their activities though.<br /><br />I walk mostly on my own and I like to take my time on the hills. You'd be surprised how much life there's in them paths. Beetles, moths, toads, snails, all sorts of insects, and just off the path you often find ground nesting birds trying to make the most of the "good" weather. Your friends treat paths, burns and hillsides as conveniences to be used for their 'fun', with no respect and no understanding whatsoever for the ecosystem they trash in the pursuit of an activity that might make them forget how inadequate they really are. I'm always amazed when you see these blokes struggling to get out of their leather outfits and the blubber that had been kept in check until then suddenly is free to float about and it ain't a pretty sight (Onslow from 'Keeping up Appearances' springs to mind...).<br /><br />You don't see the attraction of riding off road, and that's good. It would be progress though if you could see the damage off road bikers cause and that fact that it is not a question of attraction but of appropriateness.<br /><br />Other people think heritage paths sometime get over the top, but if you can't see the difference between that and a bunch of bikes trashing paths and burns, then perhaps there isn't much common ground for discussion here. Incidentally, I'm against hill races too and as I say I'm the first to condemn irresponsible hill use. There is no question that hill walkers do more damage, quantitatively than bikers. But that's no reason to add to the damage, is it?Andy B.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22496677.post-49566504574012563192012-07-08T15:20:04.521+01:002012-07-08T15:20:04.521+01:00Well, Mad F.
I believe it was me that used the te...Well, Mad F. <br />I believe it was me that used the term wankers about the three on the Fleam Dyke PATH (Note capitals) which requires negotiating a narrow gate that says No Cycles or Motorbikes. <br />It is in fact a national heritage path. <br /><br />Hence for these 3 I feel the term quite justified if not lenient. <br /><br />And, having walked the road to the isles path with Al, I found the level of destruction a disgrace. I would have felt the same if it had been 100 horses or 500 people en mass. <br />You will probably differ in that opinion.Andrew Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14744521212967848460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22496677.post-66859223424498421882012-07-08T09:44:45.320+01:002012-07-08T09:44:45.320+01:00"There you go again - making assumptions like...<i><b>"There you go again - making assumptions like leaky tanks and oil dripping into burns. Wild wild accusations."</b></i><br /><br />You haven't watched the video then? I believe it's inevitable that there will be leaks. This is not a "wild accusation", just plain old common sense & calm reasoning.<br /><br />And how do you reason that "Heritage paths are a form of vandalism?" Bizarre!Alan Slomanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17966543499033330765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22496677.post-81759103877320891582012-07-08T00:05:15.898+01:002012-07-08T00:05:15.898+01:00I find Heritage paths a form of vandalism. Where d...I find Heritage paths a form of vandalism. Where does it stop? The next mini ice age will sort it out anyway. You wont mind me contacting the SSDT organisation and pointing them to your blog. It seems only fair as it is in the public domain. By the way there is a big difference in riding motorcycles on the main roads, which I do and in the country off road which I never have and frankly dont see the attraction in. There you go again - making assumptions like leaky tanks and oil dripping into burns. Wild wild accusations.<br />:-0Mad Farquharhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15392650400828723535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22496677.post-23742295999266758812012-07-07T23:18:54.015+01:002012-07-07T23:18:54.015+01:00Good evening "Mad Farquhar" (That's ...Good evening "Mad Farquhar" (That's Gavin, a keen motorcyclist,to his mates...)<br /><br />I do not believe I have used the term <i>"arseholes"</i> or <i>"wankers"</i> anywhere in the post or comments. However, if you feel the terms are appropriate we'll see what can be done.<br /><br />It is plain where your sympathies lie - I don't think you need to tell us.<br /><br />And yes. This blog post does express my pure hatred at the damage caused to the peaty heritage path network by the SSDT. It does not imply that I hate trials bike riders.<br /><br />I suggest you too think long and hard about this destruction to our heritage path network when you have cooled down in the morning.<br />:-)Alan Slomanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17966543499033330765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22496677.post-4541065363921418502012-07-07T22:43:53.805+01:002012-07-07T22:43:53.805+01:00This thread smells. Using perjoratives such as ars...This thread smells. Using perjoratives such as arseholes, wankers, bastards for individuals who are taking part in a properly organised event EVEN if you dont like it has lost you your argument. My sympathies lie with the trial riders. Anyone even contemplating pushing a walking stick through a wheel would be foolhardy to say the least. Think long and hard if this so called desecration is the real reason for the hate. For that is what this blog is H.A.T.E.Mad Farquharhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15392650400828723535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22496677.post-25138859571674426622012-07-07T21:47:14.946+01:002012-07-07T21:47:14.946+01:00The video clip in the post shows that these trials...The video clip in the post shows that these trials bike riders are very skilled riders. Why do they need to be routed between trials along established paths like the section of the Road to the Isles in my post? Surely there must be better surfaces that they could be routed along? <br />I don't really take issue with them tearing along in the countryside and having fun. <br />I *do* take issue with them though when they are tearing up the paths and turning them into quagmires.Alan Slomanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17966543499033330765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22496677.post-58797641161852789582012-07-07T01:00:10.312+01:002012-07-07T01:00:10.312+01:00Yes went off on one there :)
Just got home from a...Yes went off on one there :) <br />Just got home from a week working near Carlisle on an overcrowded train with no air con, running over an hour late, that missed all my connections. So, 8+ hours from Carlisle. <br />Oh shit...... Off topic again sorry :)Andrew Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14744521212967848460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22496677.post-19829449591449318412012-07-07T00:28:48.333+01:002012-07-07T00:28:48.333+01:00SNH and FCS have become more urban biased and less...SNH and FCS have become more urban biased and less land management and more "entertainment" orientated of recent. The right to roam act does specifically exclude motorised vehicles but not horses which can, if in numbers, create a considerable amount of damage. Many trail riders are very friendly and accommodating but can't see the damage that they are doing. I suppose it is very much a culture thing. They simply don't understand! The numbers here horrify me and cause great concern that a city based government sees the countryside not as the farming factory that it in truth is but as a playground for petrol heads!John Grahamhttp://windfarmaction.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.com