Sarn Helen By-way

Just a note to let all you budding laners know if you did not allready know, that the bottom end of Sarn helen, that's the part through Walters arena has a new TOR placed on it that was not there a few weeks ago, (no vehicles between 1 sept to the 31 may) nice new signs to boot also... But never fear if you fancy a challange, after emerging of the second part of the lane try turning left into the forest and follow on your map the public route, boy is it fun the part of the forrest track, advice don't atempt this on your own in a standard truck, i did but i benifited from mods, you have been warned, the track has had a fair bit of local 4x4 use and is a must for all you water and mud seekers.... Happy trails...

is that the section that drops into aberdullais? if it is, then it has had a TRO for many years... but i guess the sign is only on the one side? if you mean the sarn helen from colbren heading east, then bollocks! thats my fav. gentle winter stroll! do you know if the gap is still open and does it have a tro?

G

Not sure as to the Gap, cannot fathom whats going on there with that one, as for that last part of Sarn Helen it's the piece that drops towards Neath the TRO was from 31st oct to the 1 may, but it's now 1 sept to 31 may nearly taking another two months of us and even when it's open they won't move the boulders, the other part i was on about is the piece through Coed-y-Rhaiadr forest..

awww there was a tro but now the new one has taken more months off. ok. i will look into that forest. are there bolders on the seven sisters side then? i havent done that route yet, but will do it next year.

G

Yeah mate on the run up through the street and if you make it round that as i did the other day through the main arena when the dawn to dusk bike event was on you come to the mother of all boulders at the junction before you start to climb, luckly somebody allready altered the fence around it, but do try the part i have mentioned that was fun did'nt think i was coming out in one piece and as for the mud, well iwould have gone back if i could but once i commited to the first part there was no going back even if i tryed, and belive me i thought about it, i have a 2" lift and big tyres and i still got wet feet....

Gaps open til 15th Oct Griffdowg. Drove it last weekend

15th. denied, i wont make it! when will it re-open?

Widg, do you have the MM file for that one?

Griffdowg said:

Widg, do you have the MM file for that one?

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Will email - it reopens on March 1st.

does that apply for most/all of the rupps in Wales? i just been looking at others north or rhyader to link up with those you sent previously. there are very few boats but **** loads of rupps! that inc. the GAP.

G

The majority of the routes I sent you are ORPAS - or UCRs - not RUPPS (now reclassified as Restricted Byways) The OS map is not a 100% reliable source. The Conquering Hero near Llangollen is one of thesewhich is driveable but shown as part UCR, part path on the 1:50k OS map.

Some RUPPS that have been reclassified as Restricted Byways have claims on them - e.g. where vehicular use has been the predominant over the past five years, or appearing on the LOS but not the DM. The Gap may not be open for much longer of the claims are rejected, or if the National Park just slap a TRO on it (cos they can since NERC)

I see... i think. so all the rupps are now restricted byways? or may they be ORPAs and UCR's too? the gap is shown as a rupp previously. ive looked back at the routes you have given me and most are orpas on tracked roads. im guessing you cant drive on the ones which turn to paths!

cheers for your help widg.

G

Griffdowg said:

I see... i think. so all the rupps are now restricted byways?

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Yup

Griffdowg said:

or may they be ORPAs and UCR's too?

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Nope.

Griffdowg said:

the gap is shown as a rupp previously.

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Yup - but its still driveable. Its a dual status road, shown as a RUPP on the map, but historical evidence of motorised traffic use means that its still being driven.

Griffdowg said:

ive looked back at the routes you have given me and most are orpas on tracked roads. im guessing you cant drive on the ones which turn to paths!

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Not many of the ORPAS are surfaced - the OS map is not a good guide in this respect. The ones I sent you which appear to turn into paths are legally driveable. The OS is not a legal representation of rights of way.

Griffdowg said:

cheers for your help widg.
G

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You're welcome - there's some challenging lanes out there, enjoy!

thanks again, thats cleared things up.

Guys can you give the the MM Map and ref for this place?

Thanks in advance