Hi guys, new poster and new to singletrack riding in general.
I was riding in my local area (along the Hillingdon Trail if you know it) and hit a section that was completely overgrown with stinging nettles, thorny trees in the way and snaregrass that caught in my pedals. This was along a route I found on Komoot, so I was a little surprised, especially as I saw other bikers and plenty of tracks in the main forest... mind you, maybe they had the good sense to ride around the impassable path!
Two days later, I'm scratched up something awful, somehow broke my pinky finger and have thorns embedded in my paws. At home, I thick leather gloves and a combination machete/saw which can dispatch these things much more quickly than my Leatherman (which did an admirable job, all things considered).
What I'm thinking is, strap the machete's sheath to my front fork; quick to hand, easy to carry, almost certainly illegal and stupid but...
Cable ties are always my go-to quick and dirty fixing, but obviously, I don't want to leave it on the bike when I commute or even when I lock it up to get something from a shop. So; can anyone devise a more easily removable solution that can standup to moderate-to-intense trail riding?
I will also accept comments telling me I'm an idiot and this is a terrible idea.
I saw the title and pictured a Bodecea-style fern clearance device.
I am disappointed
It’s a terrible idea you idiot.
You are welcome.
ignore the doomsayers - that's a brilliant idea..
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probably not but shoudl still do it.
Anyway what about those webbing strap things people are now using for tools, rap some innertube round first as it will give some grip, and then that.?
Free Member
I saw the title and pictured a Bodecea-style fern clearance device.
I am disappointed
i was there orignally too.
It’s a terrible idea you idiot.
The correct way to do it is:
a Bodecea-style fern clearance device
and:
leave it on the bike when I commute
I was out doing just that on some local trails on saturday. The ferns (with hidden brambles at high level and low level nettles for extra bite) are over head height now. And so dense they catch on your brake levers and stop the bike.
I took a folding saw and chucked it in my frame bag for quick access. For info, going up first one side of a totally overgrown trail swing madly at stuff, then back down the other, is bloody hard work. In places it was so dense I took to shoulder barging my way up just so I could see where the trail was.
Bring back lockdown, lots of people using trails, and long hot summers!
Glue a 5cm wide strip of velcro to a length of similarly wide thin ply/thick plastic or similar and mount this to your forks with cable ties or similar. Then affix the other bit of velcro to the back of your hacker sheath. If the surface area is large enough I don't reckon you will ever lose it in normal use, but should be easy enough to peel it off when not needed on there
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friend of mine takes his battery hedge trimmer out from time to time to clear trails.
ive got a pocket chainsaw which has actually been really useful a couple of times, ive managed to cut track width sections out of two fallen trees.
Obviously youre not going to be riding and swinging tools at the same time, so go out with the objective of a "maintenance ride", to improve the next ride?
Hard tail, pannier rack:
Was tempted last year.. now think it might be a necessity to ride any of the local trails
almost certainly illegal
This is the bit you should be most concerned with. The law states that you can carry all manner of potentially very dangerous objects, but you do need to have a very good explanation for carrying them in public places. Some good info here:
https://www.gov.uk/buying-carrying-knives
I'd hazard a guess that carrying a machete to hack undergrowth on land that isn't yours, might be frowned upon by quite a few magistrates. Imagine a dog-walker spotting you, getting scared that there's a 'nutter with a machete' loose, and before you know it, red laser dot on your head, bang. How will you get your bike home if you've been shot? The police firearms units aren't known for their thoughtfulness or consideration.
Alternative is a smaller, less effective but not so mental looking folding gardening type tool. I've taken such to clear the odd bramble overgrowth from bits of trail. Just be careful nobody spots you.
"The police firearms units aren’t known for their thoughtfulness or consideration."
I'd say exactly the opposite - this isn't America FFS.
Could you wear two crossed over on your back like some kind of ninja. Some deft no handed riding and spinny wrist action will clear them out of the way. Where do you ride so I can avoid?
I’d hazard a guess that carrying a machete to hack undergrowth on land that isn’t yours, might be frowned upon by quite a few magistrates.
I imagine plenty of landowners won't be too happy either. I know our local rangers don't like any unofficial "work party".
Imagine a dog-walker spotting you, getting scared that there’s a ‘nutter with a machete’ loose,
I think that would be my main concern - especially if there are any cyclist haters in the area.
and before you know it, red laser dot on your head, bang. How will you get your bike home if you’ve been shot? The police firearms units aren’t known for their thoughtfulness or consideration.
Actually I think you are doing the firearms units a huge disservice. Every day they deal with deescalating stuff that never makes it to the headlines, and will regularly deal with calls to people who are no immediate threat to others. Must still be intimidating to be on the receiving end of their "assertively worded instructions". Personally I'd be more concerned about an overexcited local cop with a Tazer!
I think the greatest risk to your safety though is what happens to the machete in a big crash. I'm sure its one of those things where 98/100 crashes the machete stays in its cover and strapped to the fork. But it certainly feels like the potential for landing on it or it landing on you shouldn't be discounted.
I agree. Considering the adrenalin and high tension situations they are deployed to, I think they demonstrate remarkable control and restraint.
Easy enough to busy a cap in yo ass, but have you seen the paperwork for unlawful killing?
More seriously, my friends wife is a PCSO and says it's all about context.
So, I carry my machete discretely in a ruck sack together with my saw, folding spade, trail tool removable head, and gloves. I also have a battery hedge trimmer for some works.
I tend to designate specific time to trail maintenance, so hike in rather than mess about with bike paraphernalia.
In the unlikely event I'm stopped, its obvious I'm kitted up to do 'agricultural works'.
The kinds of places I need to use a machete to clear trails are generally well off the beaten track, so I'm not too worried about that.
The only time I was seen clearing a footpath by joe public, I was thanked for cutting the nettles and brambles back.
As others have said without permission it isnt a good idea.
Even with permission I would be carrying it hidden away in a bag as opposed to in full view to try and avoid any awkward conversations with the police.
Failing being sensible do the job properly and go the Boudicca approach.
You are an idiot and this is a terrible idea. 😀
I’d say exactly the opposite – this isn’t America FFS.
Maybe not, but going by the record of the Met police in particular, I'd rather not take the chance. I suppose if you're not Black, you might be ok.
Indeed, the lanes of Hillingdon are strewn with the dead
But OP, no. Just , no.
Did a bit of local trail maintenance last week taking out a fallen tree with a folding saw which goes neatly in my bumbag. I’d stop at carrying a machete though as tend to find that overgrown trails are either not worth riding or are vastly improved with more people on them (i.e. more traffic does the job itself).
Failing that just ride it at a time of year when the vegetation is low.
This is the bit you should be most concerned with. The law states that you can carry all manner of potentially very dangerous objects, but you do need to have a very good explanation for carrying them in public places. Some good info here:
https://www.gov.uk/buying-carrying-knives
I’d hazard a guess that carrying a machete to hack undergrowth on land that isn’t yours, might be frowned upon by quite a few magistrates. Imagine a dog-walker spotting you, getting scared that there’s a ‘nutter with a machete’ loose, and before you know it, red laser dot on your head, bang. How will you get your bike home if you’ve been shot? The police firearms units aren’t known for their thoughtfulness or consideration.
Naw you'll be fine, so long as you disguise the handle so it cant easily be recognized as a machete.
I did, many moons ago hitchhike down to Glastonbury(from Glasgow, carrying a large cleaver in the thigh pocket of an old pair of army trousers. The coat around my waist covered the handle so you couldnt see it.
This was in my younger days of course- early 30's 😀 ahh those heady days.
Excuse/reason - camping 😀
Never had a problem, wasnt stopped or anything, and didnt need to brandish it but once when some **** nearly knocked me down in a services just outside Liverpool. I remonstrated with him over his driving - he threatened to shoot me, i convinced him otherwise, and he left the area like the devil was nipping at his heels 😆
You could try Agent Orange.
You'd have to play it really loud though.
Other melodic surf punk hard-core isn't as effective.
Looks like thirsty work judging by all that milk he's brought with him
Never had a problem, wasnt stopped or anything
The problems only have the potential to start if you get stopped.
The fork lower is unsuspended.
I’d mount it on top of your top tube, blade side up, a bit like an old Raleigh Chopper gear shift but with added excitement.
Would it not be more sensible to pour petrol from a watering can as you ride and then ignite it once you reach the end of the trail 💥🔥
What would WCA do?
Every year I come a step closer to realising my dream of mounting twin strimmers to the front forks.
Get a opinel no12 and keep it folded in your pack. Much safer and also less scary looking.
Everybody comment on this youtube channel (the guy who modifies bikes to give them circular saw blade wheels etc) telling him to attach machetes/strimmers/hedge trimmers to the front forks of a bike, surely if anyone could do this it would be him?
