Re: 800 miles, 98% off road - anyone?
Posted: Tue Sep 03, 2019 6:44 pm
I just wish there could be some decent signage. We are so sh1te at this in the UK
https://bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/phpBB3/
https://bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=15470
One good reason for following existing routes (e.g. NCN75, WHW). I believe that the An Turas Mor folks are trying to get that signposted anyway.Dave Barter wrote: ↑Tue Sep 03, 2019 6:44 pm I just wish there could be some decent signage. We are so sh1te at this in the UK
A few years ago we did some local council/tourist board promoted routes in the Massif Central that were just signed by 6cm square stickers posted up on lamp posts and the like - not the best thing to spot as you were hurtling downhill. Last summer we came across varying levels of signage on their Voies Vertes so it's not just the UK.Dave Barter wrote: ↑Tue Sep 03, 2019 6:44 pm I just wish there could be some decent signage. We are so sh1te at this in the UK
Ah this old chestnut. It’s not having to follow its wanting to follow. Very different things.ScotRoutes wrote: ↑Tue Sep 03, 2019 8:26 pm There is also an argument that, if you have to follow some signs instead of reading a map, you shouldn't be there. This is particularly true of some of the more remote off-road sections.
Quite.Dave Barter wrote: ↑Wed Sep 04, 2019 8:13 amAh this old chestnut. It’s not having to follow its wanting to follow. Very different things.ScotRoutes wrote: ↑Tue Sep 03, 2019 8:26 pm There is also an argument that, if you have to follow some signs instead of reading a map, you shouldn't be there. This is particularly true of some of the more remote off-road sections.
I think that's one of the biggest plus points in favour of signage. It needn't be blatant, well executed but discreet signage can work very well. However, on the opposing side, I find even here that many people follow signs almost blindly - even when carrying a map. Should the signs stop or get missed, many people then appear to find themselves lost and with no real idea of where they are because they never thought to keep a check on where they were.helps avoid confrontation
There are those who can't navigate without signposting and those who choose not to but can when needs dictate.Dave Barter wrote: ↑Wed Sep 04, 2019 8:13 amAh this old chestnut. It’s not having to follow its wanting to follow. Very different things.ScotRoutes wrote: ↑Tue Sep 03, 2019 8:26 pm There is also an argument that, if you have to follow some signs instead of reading a map, you shouldn't be there. This is particularly true of some of the more remote off-road sections.
Very true. I've always found it to be great on the little lanes and tracks but in built up areas, it's often quite poor. Saying that, I often choose to ignore it in built up areas as I find being taken right round the houses (quite literally) highly frustratingThe ncn suffers really badly from bad signage just when you need it
A rough count says you'd need to start out with about 35 OS Explorer maps for that route. I think I'd be tempted to save £300 and go with a GPS (I have full OS maps on mine).
I'd go for the tighter option of an OS subscription and printing off the bits I needed on A4 sheets. What I normally do.
I'm afraid I no longer take maps with me. If my GPS packs up then I have viewranger 1:50000 on my phone.
Cooeeee Tim - long time no speak, hope you’re doing well?Cheeky Monkey wrote: ↑Wed Sep 04, 2019 11:30 am If interested in RoW stuff the IPROW page on FB can be illuminating. Written by RoW officers / people, AFAIK, so occasionally I suspect some confirmation-bias creeps in ;-). Quite a dry, sardonic writing style which I find amusing.
Re: signage, I suspect this is a minefield (as some much in RoW seems to be). A local group tried to signpost a set of trails around Wetherby (Red Kite Trails). Generally they were successful apart form the public BW through the Harewood Estate who refused to allow it. I think the landowner can object to anything other than what is listed or specifically allowed for in the schedule for the RoW. It's a shame as the thinking behind the signage was positive, just laying on a little more guidance for folks looking to progress onto the RoW network and ride wider areas, out of their usual knowledge / comfort zone. Maybe some might baulk at the slight whiff of nanny-ism but personally, done well and in the round, I think it's a "good thing".
Pace have done something similar by signing loops on RoW around their shop at Sutton Bank. Again, intended (or at least one of the intentions) to help people bridge from trail centres to RoW.
Oh and the route in the OP was worked on by Kieran Foster at IMBA who I've worked with on various RoW and trailbuilding stuff over the years. He's a rider and a good egg so I imagine, even if there's some flaws in execution, that the intentions for the trail are coming from a good place.
Thank Christ I was nice about you All good thanks Kie, still building and a bit of advocacy. Never happier than hacking back veg, rock pitching and pushing a barrow (the last one's a lie!).Cooeeee Tim - long time no speak, hope you’re doing well?