[Closed] Riding in Ash and Pirbright Range Danger Areas, Surrey

Not a huge amount of good riding within the ranges. Just fire roads and do stay out of the red flags are flying. The perimeter track from ash to Pirbright is a decent little run from the canal. The canal end has a few fun tracks that aren’t in the range. The Pirbright training area has a lot of great trails just be wary of interrupting exercising troops.

the area to the north of the road (managed access) is a training area; the area to the south is the danger area for the ranges. The north is never flagged but is frequently used by troops for training who should be avoided so they can get on with it; the south is either closed when flagged or open, the troops rarely use it for training although they have used it for battle marches before.

There are reputedly good trails in the managed access side, I couldn't possibly comment, but there is also an ongoing argument / negotiation between the MOD / DIO and users about who can or can't use the area and what for. There have been issues in the past with over-entitled cyclists and also people building jumps, etc. that has got the MOD's backs up. TAG (

) have been doing amazing things in support of local access issues and you could do worse than reading through their FB pages and that should give you an idea of the sensitivities.

MOD and DIO are increasingly creating a 'hostile environment' for cyclists on the Ash and Aldershot ranges - please don't ride where red flags are flying as it makes it difficult for everyone. They are in the process of revising the bylaws and don't want to give them ammunition to re-inforce a ban on bikes on all the range areas, but rather show we're responsible user group and force for good - TAG are doing some great stuff in this respect. There's plenty of good riding around the area where you can ride safely without the need to go into red flag areas.

I’ve not been there for years but it always struck me as having plenty of potential.

Howver, as formerly one of those ‘exercising troops’, please, please, please make as much effort as possible to stay away from those on exercise. It’s a proper PITA when someone walks/rides through your planned attack lane, especially if the serial is already in full flow and has to be stopped. I’ve even had an argument with someone who rode through a location as 30 blokes were digging in for the night and got garotted by cord tied between trees as markers for the harbour at night 🤦🏻‍♂️

MOD and DIO are increasingly creating a ‘hostile environment’ for cyclists on the Ash and Aldershot ranges – please don’t ride where red flags are flying as it makes it difficult for everyone.

Latest from TAG was that DIO's position has softened, there was a statement "reasonable cyclists will not be asked to leave the land" and talk of being better at opening gates and taking flags/signs down when the land isn't in use (hasn't always been the case in the last few years).

Obviously that's contingent on cyclists not being dicks but progress is being made. So by all means ride, but be very careful and leave the area if you see any signs of soldiers training to avoid creating any conflict.

(from https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4573013 )

Thanks for all your responses. The TAG Facebook group has some very useful information. My interest in the Ash Ranges is that it looks like some easy riding across some very beautiful heathland and forest. It looks good for a gentle ride, a picnic and a chance to view some wildlife. I'll obviously respect the red flags and keep away from military exercises.