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can someone explain to me why walkers are obsessed with wandering around in the woods its not like you can see anything interesting and there's far more scenic places around that conifer plantations.
Couldn't believe how many bikes were on the Quantocks yesterday. Never seen it so busy. Felt a bit like a trail centre at times.
Talking to a few over the past couple of months, seems like riders are coming there from further afield.
It is mixed feelings, but I guess as a local with the privilege of access to the hills, it's about picking the times wisely and riding around the busier periods.
Exmoor is quiet on the other hand, but would expect that being 45 minutes on from the Qs.
can someone explain to me why walkers are obsessed with wandering around in the woods
Same reason many MTBers like them - little arrows telling them where to go.
I've been to Leeds Bike Park, Dalby and Sherwood recently, all heaving busy. Yes, some minor issues, daft parking, queues and odd person littering etc. But I'm not complaining at all because:
A - I was there myself
B - Its much better for these places to be busy, keeping their staff employed, their cafes doing turnover of take-aways teas and cakes, their car park fees going into maintenance etc.
There is nothing 'superior' about claiming to have been their first/all along, or that if your not reading a map or miles away from civilization then it doesnt count.
Imaagine if Covid/2020 had meant all these places were going bust, shutting up, banning mountain bikes etc etc.
More people enjoying the outdoors is on the whole a very postive thing.
not really comparable though is it, mountain bikers are driven to ride in the woods for a variety of reasons walkers have access to virtually everywhere in the countryside.
More people enjoying the outdoors is on the whole a very postive thing.
Very true.
It is a *nice* set of challenges it raises - how to support more of us outdoors in the UK, active and in nature?
Its not just Biking/Walking. I was down Saunton Sands yesterday. Busy carpark and beach and lots of surfers in the line-up. I guess it should be no surprise with open access to surf forcasts showing it to be good. Is a big carpark, bigger beach and even bigger sea so all good. Notably though I saw quite a few mates down there, easy to chat at distance beyond the break line, and being salt water washed evey few minutes. But we'd all got there separatly illustrating why the carpark looked so full, they'll definitly be retaining their business through covid.
If it helps the OP, stopped at Haldon at lunchtime on the way home and it was pretty busy. Car park 80% full and cars parked out on the road.
trials were empty though.
You swine @andyv
I've been looking at the Saunton forecast but can't justify the 8 hour round trip for a day's surfing currently.
I was paddle boarding on the local river and there were loads of folk out. There must have been 20+ people on boards plus loads of dog walkers and fishermen It was a cracking day out and everyone was courteous and keeping a safe distance from those they didn't arrive with.
Don’t look at the thurs/fri/sat forecast then.
I shall be using up some more annual leave.
Too late @jam-bo I foolishly did this morning. No idea why, it's like punching myself in the nuts.
So we're all moaning that people are getting outside and enjoying the great outdoors 😋
I think it's a great thing personally. Getting more people on bikes or on their feet enjoying the countryside. Having said that when I was up Curbar Edge a while back there did seem to be more litter and illicit fire detritus, so it's not all good.
So we’re all moaning that people are getting outside and enjoying the great outdoors
Not really, no
The only thing about it all that bothers me is the selfish parking and the littering. I just take my time through the crowds to get to trails and greet everyone with a cheery smile and hello!
You do get the odd miserable sods who complain about you being in "their" outdoor space, but they get ignored or gently ribbed 🙂
Some people just need to take a deep breath (not too close though!).
So we’re all moaning that people are getting outside and enjoying the great outdoors
Didn't say that at all in my OP.
Was just amazed at the volume of people out and about (and the shitness of some of the parking).
People outside = great.
People all driving to the same places and parking like ****nuggets = less good, but still better than being inside.
Yup... Haldon is crazy at the moment. Cycled from home (Exeter) on Sunday up through Clapham. Cars were everywhere! Also were parked 2 deep over at Chalet side and ON THE BLOODY FLYOVER BRIDGE! Mental!
Went out on the local moorland trails for about three hours today and didn't see a soul apart from one old guy of about eighty who could hardly keep on his feet because of the howling fin gale that wasn't forcast....yet again! Anyway, the old ber wasn't far behind me all the way up the climb...not sure if that says more about his fitness or mine really....