TRF or not

[garyd]

Out of curiosity how many of you are in TRF? do you ride by their code of conduct if your not?or do you just ride where you want and to hell with it ?Im not in TRF and cant see myself ever going to again after a "take yer money but all rides every week are full "attitude.That was to me several years ago when i first started,i went got maps did it on my own and now take out anyone who wants to go ,especially newbies(as it makes my shite riding look good) i couldnt and still cant think of any other hobby/sport that shows so much cold shoulder to new comers,lets hear it guys
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CRF230 all you need

[Sparks!]

TR who? altho I do stick to proper lanes etc so I'm not all bad

I ride with DGLC (dorset green lane crew) and most often the BCFTRCLT (Bikechatforums Trail Riding Crew of Looney Toons)
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Current Toys: 06 Yamaha WR250F | Nissan 350Z GT | Tech 4 Homes

[.....]

I think the problem with the TRF is that there is massive variation between the local groups - some are terrible by all accounts, a closed group pretty much for those in the clique, to those that are actually very good.

I'm a member of the Surrey group and they are very good. I've only been on a handful of rides with them but they are a long way from the traditional pipe and slippers view that some people hold of the TRF. It's through the TRF that I got the routes that the SE lot ride each weekend - with out them we would probably be literally lost.

They've also done a lot of good work with the local councils with regards to TRO proposals - either getting them thrown out or having motorbikes excluded from the imposed TROs.

So yeah, it pretty much depends on your local group.

[tony_d123]

Don't judge the TRF by one poor group.

Even if you don't go to group meetings it has to be worth it just to get legal back-up if you ever need it and donate to the fighting fund to keep a lot of those lanes that you ride open.

[yen_powell]

I was sued in court by a landowner, accused of trespass on a right of way and the TRF paid for my defence. Didn't even lose the case (nil nil draw) but it still cost best part of £40,000.

I think that's worth the yearly membership don't you?
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Blackmail is a nasty word........but not as nasty as phlegm!
XT1200Z and a DR350 in bits

[Tonka]

I'm a memeber of the Dorset TRF and I've found them to be very good. It takes a little while to get to know people and required more effort on my part to start with, but I've now had a couple of rideouts and they are great guys. I primarily joined the TRF to pay my dues towards the Fighting Fund and to try and ensure that my new found hobby doesn't become legislated into oblivion. As it turns out I'm starting to get involved with the local group and will do my utmost to spread the 'dirty' word as encouraging new riders is the only way forward.

As for the riding to the Code of Conduct I guess as I'm new my speed isn't exactly Enduro anyway and I always ride legal lanes as I don't want the aggro that would ensue from doing otherwise. The only thing I digress on is the size of group on rideouts as another Club I use tends to ride with whoever shows on the day. I can see the point of the TRf on this one but it's not always pratical so I go with being extra polite and careful when in a larger group.

Originally I thought I'd pay my money annually and that would be it but I've found different - their knowledge of the lanes and area is second to none and they're doing a really good job keeping the lanes accessible to all riders and deserve our support if only financial, imho.
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'The core of a man's spirit comes from new experiences'
Suzuki SV650S (Clean); Yamaha XT250 Serow (Dirty)

[silky666]

[garyd]

Mainly for then ,but what about the back door proposal last year that led to NERC,didnt you see that as a waste of money and why try to do "deals" when TRF thought they could win it anyway???im still undecided on this
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CRF230 all you need

[G]

I joined the TRF last year, haven't this year as have been too busy and too poor. Will again next year.
My group was very friendly and welcoming. The ride I went in had quite a few people, but they didn't seem to have a problem - a vague order of quickest to slowest was soon developed (I was near the back thanks to a road tyre and a big metal fairing); the back marker was someone in his 70s on a beta alp with a trials helmet. Didn't see any evidence of other rides turning people down.

I don't ride 'illegally' if at all possible - ie the annoyed farmer we had a while ago was only /able/ to be annoyed at us because we had realised we had gone wrong, had stopped and were trying to work out the correct route. Had we been intentionally riding illegally, he'd have had no chance catching us in his stock L200, despite how good a job he was doing at raising a massive dust cloud (which he told us not to to do) and generally tearing up his own land.

[garyd]

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CRF230 all you need

[tony_d123]

[silky666]

I will continue to pay my £40 ... as the TRF are one of the few 'organised' groups that are fighting for our rights to ride off road .... plus it isnt a lot of money.

However, and this 'realisation' has made me think very differently to Imonster etc .... the TRF, and any group that are fighting for the right to ride the byways, are fighting a losing battle.
The writing is on the wall ... NERC being a pretty big indicator of the sweeping and one-sided changes that will happen.

So being polite when being verbally or physically abused by ramblers will NOT get us anywhere.
Its all very noble and decent and all that ... and yes! we can hold our heads high and say "I didnt sink to their level" ..... but it wont get us anywhere.
Its like the Japanese during ww2 ... all very dignified and with honour an all that, as they lay on their own swords and refused to give up until the last man ... but the force confronting them was always going to win .. far too big and far too much money at work in the background.

You may as well act like any human being would,,, ie: perhaps put up with the odd abuse and smile sweetly... but after the 15th time of being shouted at and hit with sticks, get off your bike,,, walk up to them and abuse then back with a few choice swear words thrown in. .... Its human nature.

Fact 1: The only trail riding group with any clout is the TRF.
Fact 2: The TRF are run on a small budget and with working people trying their best to do things at a local level ... with very few 'influential people'.

Fact 3: The ramblers HATE the trail riding fraternity ... with a passion.
Fact 4: The ramblers association is made up of senior members of the government, councils, law, police etc ect ect .... they spend a lot of time preparing some very difficult to fight cases etc.

Fact 5: They will win and we will be forced to ride illegally ... eventually.

Fact 6: You only love your country, and are considered a true 'off roader' ... if you own one of these T-Shirts
https://www.cafepress.co.uk/B_C_F.412967495

I have ranted a bit apologies ... its the early Xmas port talking ! yum
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There's nothing that shouts "Poor Workmanship" more than wrinkles in the Gaffa tape.

Gaffa tape is like "the force" - it has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the universe together.

[tony_d123]

Its funny how people have different experiences of ramblers. While I acknowledge that there are certainly a lot of "antis" about, most of the walkers I have met this year while riding in the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales, North Yorkshire and Northumberland have generally been polite and smiled or waved.

I was in the Dales last week, a notorious anti trail riding area and stopped and spoke to two sets of walkers and had a good chat with them and they were really friendly.

I do make a point of saying hello to everyone I pass on trails. If I get as cynical as you Silky I'm afraid it will be time to give it up.

Its bad stuff that port!

[Imonster]

[Imonster]

Double posting fool I am...
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Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.

[Imonster]

[tony_d123]

Drafted 2006 and introduced 2007 I think.

You are spot on about attitude, see my post further up.

Shame that you are so easily put off the TRF. There are definitely some very clique groups, I quickly changed to another one for that reason and the difference is unbelievable. They take new members out almost every month and go out of their way to welcome you.

I genuinely believe that the TRF is changing and we need more members who are not happy with the way it is run to join, voice your opinions and help to change it rather than sit back and criticise it.

[Tonka]

I'm not waving a 'sexist flag' here but try imagining how difficult it was being a female trail rider joining in the local TRF meet!!

I likened my first meeting to the Slaughtered Lamb - nice and welcoming and I had to bite my lip not to punch the Membership chap. When I asked him for a form to join the local group he shrugged and looked surprised (or disappointed?) and he eventually brought over a pen and told me that there was one other female I might like to ride with (opposite side of the county)!

I was really lucky, as I had joined another Group of riders and had gone along with one of them and we just laughed into our beer, but without that opportunity to joke about it I doubt I would have gone again. I've kept going and hey presto on my third meeting and having 'bothered' to ride all the way up to the TRF AGM they are all really nice, chatty and welcoming. I've joined in with some lane clearing - funny but numbers don't get restricted on that!!

They are traditionally a reserved bunch - keep at it, show them you're responsible and care and despite being half their age that you're not a hoodlum yoof. They are aware that they need to encourage new members and times are changing - if you join and play a part you can be the one to welcome new people - that's what I'm going to do

There's a little too much talk and type in this world and not enough action and example setting to make a difference. Silky you may well be right, but you know what I don't want to have to say to someone's youngster sorry I sat back and did nothing and you've nowhere left to ride now. It won't be much better, but saying I did my best sits much more comfortably!

............now hand me a glass of that port!!
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'The core of a man's spirit comes from new experiences'
Suzuki SV650S (Clean); Yamaha XT250 Serow (Dirty)

[silky666]

[yen_powell]

[stinkwheel]

I can make a reasonable guess by the content what your TLA stands for but it still hasn't actually been stated.

[G]