TRF Forums

Hi
I am interested in riding green lanes in the future when I get the money together to get a suitable bike. In the mean time I would like to research some local routs. Are there any books or maps available detailing routs that perhaps also describe how difficult they are?
Regards
Stuart.

Get yourself some Ordnance Survey maps of the area you are interested in.

Look for the BOATs (byways open to all traffic). Marked as ++++

Those will be legal unless they have a TRO sign where they join the tarmac road 'on the ground'.

As a general rule, the more contour lines they cross on the map, the steeper and more difficult they will be. Also look out for fords/rivers.

Part of the fun of trail riding is reading the 'lie of the land' off the map.

Happy mapping!

Don't forget that you can get in touch with your local group (http://www.trf.org.uk/groups/group-listing.html) and have a chat. Even if you haven't got a bike, they should be able to give you some good pointers, particularly about what types of bike are better for your area - over here in Suffolk we all ride 400s and similar, but the chaps in the Peaks would tend to recommend something like a 250 for a novice.

Where do you live?

Richard, thanks for your reply. I know that I can find access via maps but I am interested in a book covering a large area to browse through rather than lots of maps but I don’t know if such a book is available.

Womble, I will defiantly check out my local group. Thanks.

Steve, I am in Rotherham near Sheffield.