On Sun, 22 Jan 2006 19:32:48 -0000, "Richard Brookman"
<
[email protected]> scribbled the following nonsense:
>...and Ian Rawlings spake unto the tribes of Usenet, saying...
>
>> I wonder how many of those "large groups" are organised trips by
>> landrover magazines, commercial organisations and off-road user clubs?
>> Having seen trips organised by all three, groups of 15 trucks seems to
>> be the minimum. I moaned to the organiser of one trip I went on and
>> he said that one of the big landrover mags regularly organised trips
>> into Wales in 30-50 vehicle convoys. I can't remember which magazine
>> he was talking about now but I've heard talk of limiting off-roading
>> to members of approved clubs or organisation, which would probably be
>> counter-productive given their cram-em-in philosophy.
>
>We did the LRO "Wild Wales Safari" a year ago this weekend. The whole group
>was about 30 vehicles, but thankfully split into 3 groups which travelled
>independently. I was still a little uncomfortable about being in a group of
>10 or so. It was a bit like queueing for a takeaway at times.
Right <GLASS hat on>
GLASS recommend travelling in groups of 4 or less when laning. There
are several reasons for this:
a) The Lake District Hierarchy Of Trails (HoTR) states that groups of
more than 4 vehicles can be cause for complaint. Such complaints now
under law can lead to fines, imprisonment or confiscation of your
vehicle (cant remember the Act that applies)
b) Large groups are more intrusive. People notice large convoys of
vehicles, but not 3 or 4 small convoys of 4 or less. eg you are
walking down the road and see 10 tricked up vehicles headingtowards
you, what do you think? 4 vehicle convoys tend not to be noticed as
much, particularly if spread around over different start points.
c) Its much harder to manage large convoys. I have led trips out with
me and 3 others, and find that 9 times out of 10, I can see the whole
convoy. I suspect that a large convoy of 10 vehicles would be
difficult to control for the leader.
d) These are the activites that the NERC bill is focusing on, and
general the 99.9% of us who behave are being punished for the 0.1% who
dont.
</GLASS hat>
My own rant:
Unfortunately, depsite continuous pressure, the mags don't seem to
want to tow the line. One mag recently had to issue an apology for
publishing some pictures of them laning which showed them wading
through a river at speed, with water surging up the screen. Speak to
the editors, and all they are bothereed about is selling mags, and
"impressive pictures of vehicles covered in mud and in action" sells
the mags. Trouble is, it gets the rest of us a bad name.
Through out the course of 2005 I met with many of the staff of the
mags as part of my role within GLASS last year, and have to say, I was
not impressed with their attitudes, especially the two that wanted to
play one of the other (and no Martyn, no prizes for guessing!!!!)
I think I found 2 decent journos in all my talking, and met both of
them at Gaydon...... and one again at Peterborough.
Sign up to GLASS and help support sensible green laning. Many of us
in AFL are already members.
--
Simon Isaacs
Peterborough 4x4 Club Newsletter Editor and Webmaster
Green Lane Association (GLASS) Financial Director
101 Ambi, undergoing camper conversion
www.simoni.co.uk
1976 S3 LWT, Fully restored, ready for sale! Make me an offer!
Suzuki SJ410 (Wife's) 3" lift kit fitted, body shell now restored and mounted on chassis, waiting on a windscreen and MOT
Series 3 88" Rolling chassis...what to do next
1993 200 TDi Discovery
1994 200 TDi Discovery body sheel, being bobbed and modded.....
