How to find byways/legal tracks/free info here

[Hooky]

Big thanks to Kingy from throttlemonkeys for the info !

It all works for me, give it a go !

Take it as read that the best way to find open BOATS (Byways open to all traffic) is to join your local TRF and get on ride outs - or find some local groups to tag along with. But, if thats proving awkward - armed with an O/S map of your preferred area you can mark the BOATS up onto the map to go and try them yourself.

There are a couple of wayfinder websites, but the one I was directed towards which is free is this one:

https://www.way-finder.co.uk/


You have to register (create an account) with the site.
When doing this you have to say what 'group' you are in.(trail bike mag ) are on there so register under that group.
Follow the instructions so you are fully registered.

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Go to the Wayfinder download page. There is a link in the middle of the home page two thirds down.

Download Track Explorer Lite - v1.07 and install it.

Download Overlay Exporter - v1.09 and install it. (May self install,).

You will now have an icon on your desktop to launch the 'Trackexplorer' software.

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Go back to the wayfinder homepage and click on 'Grid Squares' (top left of the screen).
A map of the UK will open in a window with the regions in grid squares, each square with two initials in. Jot down the ones relevant to you. For example St and Su. are my local areas. Write them down on a piece of paper for reference.

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Open the TrackExplorer software by double clicking on the desktop icon. A bare map of the UK will be shown with just towns/cities on (the overlay) to give you an idea where things are.

You will be asked to confirm your registration details. Do this as its because the software takes information off the website for you.


With the software running ... On top menu Click on ....

VIEW > Goto Location.

This launches a small window which says 'Grid ref' and has 'OK and 'Cancel' buttons.

Delete the grid reference that is there and put your first two initials in which you wrote down from the 'Grid Squares' ^^.

Click OK.

Now from top menu click on ....

WAYFINDER > Download gridsquare SK (It will refer to the gridsquare you put in ^^ the view box)

Let the software download the gridsquare details.

The lanes from that area are downloaded and shown on the map. Green lanes are BOATS and (subject to you checking them) ok to ride on. Yellow roads are under contention so you need to check and red roads are a big no no and not open to vehicular traffic.

Repeat this to add whatever grid areas you want. They are valid for 30 days then need to be downloaded again.

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You can zoom in and out to get to particular lanes. If you have a scroll mouse use that, or use the on screen controls on the top right of the screen.

Right click on a lane of your choice and it will highlight it and open a new window showing the wayfinder lane sector details. This confirms the lanes status, grid coordinates and you can click on 'Google Map of Lane' to get a map of exactly where it is - altering view between map/ satellite/ hybrid. This is excellent as you can move around the map (further than the actual lane) and get a feel for exactly where it is. (If this does not work for you download Google Earth then try clicking on 'Google Map of Lane' again).

Do bear in mind that the line showing the lanes start and finish is straight as its between two points on the map, but the lane can veer off any which way in reality between those two points.

You will soon realise after playing with the software a bit that its straightforward to mark your O/S map up from this information. Don't take it as gospel though as the information is only as good as the last update and lane status changes are being petitioned through by the Nimbys and ski pole rambling brigade all of the time.

[peter.rounce]

Byway Map

https://bywaymap.com

[Fizzer Thou]

[peter.rounce]

thanks Fizzer Thou

agreed, there are lots of byways and unsurfaced roads to add
anyone can add them & there are edits happening every day

getting better coverage all the time

cheers
peter