Cyclone does not currently have a permit to ride at Woburn

A couple of us were stopped by the warden this Sunday riding through the woods. He informed us that Cyclone has not renewed their membership this year (he specifically checked with his office). Given that we are now 5 months into the year he said that they would no longer give club riders the benefit of the doubt and would begin charging Cyclone club members to ride.
He was very nice about it and was hopeful that there may have been a simple mistake made somewhere along the line. He requested that 1 of the club admins get in touch with them to sort the situation out.
So, in case the admins don't see this in the near future, I suggest taking along some cash with you next time out as you'll need it if you see the warden.
Adam

There has obviously been some mistake as I sent off for the permits myself months ago. I shall check what paperwork I got back when I get home tonight as I'm pretty sure I received something. Thanks for letting us know and I shall confirm the status later.

Obviously an admin issue their end as I am holding said permits in my grubby hands as I type, with letter comfirming payment and maps marking out the area, which I received back in February. I shall give them a ring tomorrow.

Thanks Caroline

Adam

I spoke to the nice lady in the Greensand Trust office and she has Cyclone written down on their list. She didn't understand the problem as all the wardens carry the list with them. She is going to talk to them and she appologised for any confusion.

So all good.

Hmmm, same issue again for us this Sunday just gone. Hopefully just an ill-informed warden.

Also interesting to note that the singletrack running from the car park, along the fence and down alongside the sandy road (where we often start our ride) is apparently out of bounds. As is any trail that doesn't specifically have a bike sign at each end of it, apparently. That'll be most trails then

Oh, and getting off your bike and pushing it through a 'kissing gate' isn't allowed either

Hey ho, as long as we all stay polite and charming and avoid the specific 'no biking' areas I'm sure we'll be fine.

hooo. i think the Ranger like me .i have been going down that trail for years and sunday was the frist time thay said some thing ........and as i was leading ido try to stay off the footpath as can put the walkers off

For my sins, I'm the XC biking representative now on the Aspley Woods User Group. We met last night and again the ranger Keith McCarthy stated that Cyclone have no current permit. He asked if someone could contact him by email at Keith.McCarthy@greensandtrust.org and provide the permit numbers.

He also expressed concern that club members seem unaware of where they can and can't ride, apparently we can only ride on bridal paths and designated cycle routes which are clearly marked on the map which he says has been supplied and on the routes themselves. I thought it was anywhere not on footpaths or where there are 'no cycling' signs but he says we can only ride where the 'cycles' signs are and nowhere else. He may raise this issue when you contact him.

The wardens have been turning a blind eye to riding on some 'illegal' paths like the one running adjacent to the sandy road but there is growing concern about new illegal trails and the speed of some riders on trails that should not be ridden by cyclists. Anyway, thought I'd pass this on.

Interesting, thanks for the update. 

If they are serious about strictly enforcing the 'no cycling anywhere at all other than the designated cycle tracks' (of which there are about three, looking at the map, and pretty much do not include any singletrack at all) then there is very little point in continuing to cycle in Aspley Woods. I may as well go for a ride around Willen Lake or my local park.

Looking at the map, even most of the big wide trails that horse riders use are out of bounds to bikes. In fact, you could probably cover all of the permissible bike routes in not much more than about 15 minutes.

Here's the map, for reference:
http://www.greensandtrust.org/pdfs/AspPermitMap2013.pdf

There is a certain inconsistency in the messaging and signage though. If we are being told that cycling is essentially banned across the entire area, apart from on the couple of big bridleways and designated cycle tracks that cut across the forest, it does make you wonder what the few selected "no cycling" signs are for on particular trails and paths?

Hmmm, I shall watch with interest

I did ask the same question. My assumption was we that could cycle existing trails except where it states it's prohibited to cyclists but apparently not. Having some 'no cycling' signs but then having other areas where we can't cycle but no signage makes little sense to me. The practicalities of enforcement are practically nil as they have few rangers and 900 acres to cover.

There is support in some quarters to increase the number of 'official' cycle tracks to include some of what we regularly ride but it all seems up in the air and unclear at present and this will need buy in from Bedford Estates. There is apparently some study/report ongoing at the moment and possibly some rethinking by Bedford Estates and there was some support on the committee so I guess it's a wait and see. I made my view clear about the 'permitted' trails and the ones we typically ride and of course the miss-leading signs.

I may hear from Keith before but if not the next meeting is not until December. In the meantime hopefully our permit issue will at least be resolved.

ian wrote:The practicalities of enforcement are practically nil as they have few rangers and 900 acres to cover.

Whilst that's very true, it does put those that lead rides on behalf of the club in a slightly awkward position.

Thanks again Ian, it's good to know that there is at least a sensible voice at the table.

Jase_MK wrote:

ian wrote:The practicalities of enforcement are practically nil as they have few rangers and 900 acres to cover.

Whilst that's very true, it does put those that lead rides on behalf of the club in a slightly awkward position.

Thanks again Ian, it's good to know that there is at least a sensible voice at the table.

I do agree, it does potentially cause issues. Keith is pretty pragmatic and most around the table seemed in favour of more rather than less mtb trails but it's really down to the Bedford Estates to agree. If this study goes well, there a good chance we can make some suggestions on which trails should be added as official 'new' ones and I can do that on our behalf. Keith's positive about this but it wont be his decision. There were some other possible improvement plans for the site as a leisure/cycling venue but nothing I can discuss or that are anything more than on a wish list but again Bedford Estates is receptive at least to discuss things where in the past they have not. So all is not lost.

As a club though we should at least be aware of the potential issues. I think also there is an appreciation that a lot of riders are not local club riders and many come from far afield and that this is likely to grow in numbers.

Sorry little gav