Page 4 – TRF Trail

Next summer the TRF are helping visitors to the ABR Festival get out and enjoy local green roads in trail riding groups. It’s a great way to show off what the TRF is all about, make new friends and get involved in what promises to be a fantastic adventure bike weekend.

We are looking to recruit 40 TRF volunteers to help with ride leading, stand and event management. All volunteers will receive complimentary entry to the ABR Festival.

To find out more and register as a TRF volunteer please fill out this short form.

To register for the festival as a regular visitor (not volunteering) visit here.

For more information about volunteering at this event please contact [email protected]

no-repeat;center top;;

Volunteer to help HERE

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd45gam9_vtB34-3u1eLpllpwRDufZEgdOPzk5S-7AkuYlcgg/viewform

center

icon-star-empty

left

green

white

default

Early Bird Tickets On Sale For The 2020 Adventure Bike Rider Festival (10th to 12 July 2020). You Can Book Yours At The Bottom Of This Page.

Save 45% on Weekend Ticket Prices And Guarantee Your Ticket Now.

Best Be Quick, Limited Numbers of Early Bird Tickets Available and Once They’re Gone…They’re Gone.

THE ABR FESTIVAL 2019 SOLD OUT AND EVEN THOUGH WE’RE INCREASING THE NUMBERS FOR THE 2020 FESTIVAL THEY WILL BE LIMITED AND IT’S GUARANTEED TO BE ANOTHER SELL OUT. DUE TO HUGE DEMAND WE’VE DECIDED TO OPEN EARLY BIRD TICKETS NOW SO THIS IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO SAVE MONEY AND SECURE A TICKET TO THE MOST EXCITING AND FRIENDLY MOTORCYCLE FESTIVAL IN THE UK.

Many thanks to all those who joined us at Ragley Hall for the 2019 Adventure Bike Rider Festival. Judging by the huge response and positive feedback we’ve received it truly was a fantastic weekend enjoyed by visitors, the motorcycle industry and ABR staff alike. We really were all in it together. Check out the following video of the 2019 Festival, if you’ve not been to an ABR Festival before it’ll show you what to expect and if you were there you may just be one of the stars.

The 2020 Festival will again be held at the magnificent Ragley Hall Estate in Warwickshire, and we’re going to promise you more bikes, more festival attractions, more services, more on-site trails, more fun and, most importantly of all, more good times. We’re going to make the 2020 Festival even better than 2019 with more activities to keep you busy and more services and facilities to make you as happy and comfortable as possible. We’re also determined to carry over that friendly vibe which has been a hallmark of ABR Festivals from the word go. As I’ve always said, I’m only going to organise a Festival that I’d like to go too.

The 2020 Adventure Bike Rider Festival will take place between Friday 10th and Sunday 12th July 2020 and once again you’ll be able to enjoy new bike test rides from every major manufacturer, on-site adventure trails, world class instructors, green lane ride outs, road tours, guest speakers, film shows plus many other activities. Bar and food on site, plus first class camping facilities, live music, trade stands, evening entertainment and great company.

Motorhomes, vans, cars and trailers are welcome but please note there is an extra charge – see below. Under 16’s are free of charge. NB. All bikes and riders are welcome but only road legal and road registered motorcycles will be allowed on the adventure trail and enduro circuit – the Festival is a leisure event and non competitive.

Glamping tipis are available at an additional cost and have to be pre-booked, please visit www.eves-tipis.co.uk/product/adventure-bike-rider-festival.

Over the next couple of weeks we’ll be posting up more details on this website and updating throughout the year as more new events, attractions and services are added. We’ll also keep you updated by email after you’ve bought your tickets.

The ABR staff and I look forward to joining with you for another celebration of motorcycles and adventure in 2020.

Alun Davies (Founder of Adventure Bike Rider)

*We regret that we can not cancel, exchange, refund or transfer tickets once issued.

no-repeat;center top;;

default

The TRF Volunteers

The TRF Volunteer’s view…

What’s it like to volunteer at the ABR Festival? Oxford TRF’s Cliff Osenton is the man to ask. Head of route planning for the rides and scattered navigation, here’s Cliff’s thoughts…

no-repeat;center top;;

default

https://trail.trf.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/cliff-Osenton-at-the-ABR-Rally.jpg

Route planning

Route planning

The first aspect of route planning is to pitch the route to the group, in this case Adventure riders with mixed experience remembering I have never ridden with any of them before. Knowing the area helps a lot so I could pitch the trails to Adventure bikes & not Enduro, remembering the weather could change the grade of the route.

I tend to over plan with more trails than I need so I can mix & match as the day evolves. Checking & riding a route with a friend can often be done in a fraction of the time it takes to ride a route with a group, as there are always accumulated delays. Therefore the first rule is never to try to complete your max route, be prepared to drop sections if there is a rider finding it hard going but equally if the group are finding it all a bit easy have a few higher grade trails that can be fitted in, the best way of assessing a group is to ride at the back on a few trails.

Why I did it?

My reason for doing it was the enjoyment of riding with a new group, I have been leading groups on the Wessex Wanderer for a few years & other events. What I got out of it? Easy making new friends, I find riding with somebody works far better than simply clicking on a few unknown guys on facebook.

My view of the ABR rally?

It was well organized with plenty of TRF leaders with local knowledge to take groups out, organizing groups went well, although when some riders saw my son Iain on his 950 ride off a lot simply tagged onto him and had a brilliant time. On the Sunday after all the groups left, one rider arrived on a GS1200 after a short chat off we went and have a really good ride, we became friends & he joined the TRF & is now active in x3 groups.

Why TRF members should get involved in run leading?

Firstly you don’t need to be an Ace rider with a degree in map reading, I’m one of the slower older riders. I started helping out with the Wessex Wanderer watching other run leaders & leaning a few routes, followed by my son Iain a good rider but not so good with maps helping me out. Between us we soon evolved skills to take groups, often with a range of problems to solve that can’t be learnt from a formal course. To avoid the feeling of stress from getting lost etc use the old Army term ’ poor preparation = poor performance’, you often find a few of your group will be very experienced and can work with you to form a team approach.

Overall leading runs should be a positive enjoyable experience, it both improves your own confidence and is the best method of making new friends and networking with like minded riders.

no-repeat;center top;;

Volunteer to help HERE

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd45gam9_vtB34-3u1eLpllpwRDufZEgdOPzk5S-7AkuYlcgg/viewform

center

icon-star-empty

left

green

white

Derbyshire Police have

Derbyshire Police have a new dedicated Rural Crime Team, who’s majority of work sees them out in all weathers, day and night in the Peak District National Park, which happens to be a favourite place for Trail riders.

Sgt James Shirley is a member of TRF and explains how we can help police tackle Rural and Wildlife Crime, whilst out on the lanes.

no-repeat;center top;;

default

What are the

TRF:

What are the Rural Crime Teams priorities?

Sgt James Shirley:

The aim is to provide a dedicated response to combat and prevent criminality affecting the rural and farming communities of Derbyshire. To increase engagement, confidence and reassurance within these communities.

We have 6 national Rural crime priority areas – Farm Machinery Theft (ATV, Tractor and plant theft), Livestock offences (worrying and theft) Fuel theft, Equine crime, Industrial scale Fly tipping and poaching.

TRF:

And what about wildlife?

Sgt James Shirley:

We also deal with wildlife crime, this is again set by the National Police Chiefs Council and we have several areas to concentrate our attention on. The main ones being badger persecution (the illegal digging and killing of badgers) and raptor persecution (the illegal killing of birds of prey). We are also responsible for policing illegal hunting following the introduction of the Hunting Act in 2004.

TRF:

So what does rural and wildlife crime look like?

Sgt James Shirley:

The best thing you can do to get a flavour of what to look out for is scroll through our Facebook page @Derbysire Rural Crime Team. Headless pheasants, stolen generators, quads and motor bikes, deer and hare coursing with long dogs, shot birds of prey, stolen peregrine falcon eggs and mauled livestock and of course illegal and irresponsible of roading.

TRF:

So what can our trail riders do to help?

Sgt James Shirley:

Rural communities are isolated and remote, which gives criminals the edge when they want to commit crime. We are asking all visitors of the Peaks to help us in tackling crime by keeping an eye out for suspicious activity. Be vigilant to what’s going on around them whilst out on the lanes. The offences above take place daily in the countryside across the country, but if you don’t look for it, it is rarely seen.

no-repeat;center top;;

https://trail.trf.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Derbyshire-Rural-Crime-02.jpg

So what is or

TRF:

So what is or isn’t suspicious?

Sgt James Shirley:

Good question, people genuinely don’t know that some of these practices still take place.

For example badger baiting happens throughout the county side, this is the use of small terrier dogs and spades to dig out badgers and kill them in various horrific ways.

Hare coursing, this happens in open fields where the dogs have a chance to run and get up to speed, you will often see a group of individuals walking two or more long dogs (lurcher, Saluki type). They will often be on slip leads and will be looking for hares, they often stand out due to their lack of appropriate clothing for the countryside they are in. Betting takes place on which dog turns the hare the most number of times and how quickly.

There is also hare hunting which is simply dogs chasing hares and killing them. Birds of prey such as the Goshawk, Hen Harrier and Peregrine should thrive in the Peak District, but they don’t. They are targeted by many people, some manage large estates, some have valuable pigeons to protect and some simply don’t like them or see it as a bit of fun to kill them.

TRF:

What do we do if we see something suspicious?

Sgt James Shirley:

If you suspect a crime is taking place then always dial 999. We know 101 can be difficult to get through on but incidents can now be reported online. If in Derbyshire then let us know on our Rural Crime team Facebook page. Other force areas will have similar rural police Facebook accounts.

TRF:

And what do you need in terms of evidence?

Sgt James Shirley:

As trail riders tend to be in groups which is great for corroboration of evidence. We also often have sports cameras in operation and most have mobile phone! An image or photograph is often the best evidence. Try to obtain registrations of offending vehicles involved and we will do the rest.

TRF:

Trail riders in the past have had some frosty receptions with the police up and down the country with regards to minor traffic infringements, is this still the case and why should they now help?

Sgt James Shirley:

The current risk and threat we face in the countryside, especially in relation to acquisitive crime and poaching, takes priority over anything less serious. Acquisitive rural crime is costing the county millions of pounds. The criminal gangs are organised and transport stolen machinery all around the world.

My advice, stick to the paths you’re allowed to ride on, no off piste, and make sure you know where SSSI land is and keep well away. Also, report any anti social use of the lanes that you may witness, as this spoils it for the rest of us trying to ride legally, and just gets peoples backs up.

no-repeat;center top;;

https://trail.trf.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Derbyshire-Rural-Crime-01.jpg

Any other advice

TRF:

Any other advice to bike owners?

Sgt James Shirley:

One of our priorities is theft of ATV’s and bikes. Our advice, don’t transport on a trailer. Make sure when advertising bikes or paraphernalia you don’t unintentionally disclose where your bike is stored, check the settings of your adverts, criminals will use Google street view and social media to ascertain where your bike is stored. Consider getting a tracker. Get in touch and we can let you know which companies we have worked with.

We work closely with out neighbouring SYP off road team who are all fellow trail riders in their spare time. I recommend you follow their success at recovering stolen bikes on facebook @sypoffroadteam.

no-repeat;center top;;

To find out more

To find out more, and contribute to looking after the countryside for generations to come, and protect our farming industry from being targeted, follow us on facebook and pledge your support to keep an eye out for suspicious activity in the countryside.

no-repeat;center top;;

Follow Derbyshire Rural Crime Team HERE

https://www.facebook.com/ruralcrimeteam/

center

icon-facebook-squared

left

green

white

Eleven TRF members turned up on a wet and windy Saturday morning to clear vegetation from an overgrown byway near Basingstoke in Hampshire.

Wootton St. Lawrence 9 had become quite ‘scratchy’, which was preventing people from using the byway and stopping sunlight from evaporating water held in the soil.

no-repeat;center top;;

https://trail.trf.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/IMG_3106.JPG.jpg

Looking much better.

https://trail.trf.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/IMG_3086.JPG.jpg

No longer a mass of thorns.

A BBQ

A BBQ lunch made the work a social event, which was undertaken under the supervision of a Hampshire CC ranger, who hopes to develop a working maintenance relationship with TRF volunteers next year.

no-repeat;center top;;

https://trail.trf.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/IMG_3097.jpg

Masters of all tools.

https://trail.trf.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Group_photo.jpg

The team.

A BBQ

The area is regularly ridden by members of the Loddon Vale and Southern TRF groups.

no-repeat;center top;;