Suffolk/Essex/Norfolk ride out.
 

Im not sure if this is the right section to post in. Ive been having a look at by ways open to all traffic (BOATS). There is an old route called the Icknield way. Its supposed to be the oldest road in Britain. If you use bing.com/maps and zoom in to Icklingham just on the south edge of Thetford forest you can pick it up. You have to switch the view to road: ordinance survey (shows you OS maps for free). It goes south and north. Ive traced it south down to near Luton and it keeps on going. It would be a mixture of back roads and BOATs. Dont know what the state of the BOATS would be but could be fun to explore. If a section of BOAT wasnt doable then you could take back roads that go nearby until the next section. There is an Icknield way walkers website but funny enough they dont seem to say anything about welcoming motorbikes... http://www.eastofenglandbikers.com/n...on_biggrin.gif

Anyone like to go exploring?

BOAT trip...
 

Hi mate,
sounds like a bit of fun, I'd be keen to join. What would you be riding and when're you thinking of trying it out?

Rick

I don’t mean to put a downer on you plan but just because a route is marked “BOAT” on the OS map, doesn’t mean it is still legal for vehicles. Sh*t-loads of BOATs have been lost in recent years.

To be sure, you will need to check on the County Council online maps to check they aren’t TROed (Traffic Restriction Order)

Of course, if you didn’t know, you could plead ignorance.

Officially, if the TRO isn’t marked properly, it would be near impossible for you to be successfully prosecuted. The only sign that should be legally recognised is the circular sign with the motorbike flying over a car. In theory, if you don’t see this sign or an official council Temporary TRO notice then how are you to know. In which case, crack on.

If you are a small group of maybe three or four bikes and you made a “Navigational Error” who would know anyway.

If you are challenged by the Beardy-bobble-hat-wearing-Rambliers, just be polite and proceed on your way. A member of the public has no right to ask for your details unless you have been involved in an accident. I am pretty sure that the only people who can legally stop you are a Police Officer or Traffic Warden and a Lollypop Lady / Man.

Have fun

Hi Rick
Riding a 660 tenere and sometime soon before the snow sets in :) Ive got absolutely no off road riding experience other than on a short gravel road to get to the back of my house... but you've got to start somewhere!

Local residents around Stane Street in Surrey have been putting up their own signs (as above) even though the BOAT hasn't been TROd and is even marked up as a byway.

Carry an OS map and check the RoW pages on the council website if in doubt. Or better still, email them and get a finite answer.

Hi mate,
and there was I thinking you'd be on a Varadero. Well, depending on how work pans out this week, I should be free Sat or Sund, although F1 is on Sunday!
Let me know what works for you. I'll PM my number to me if you want to call or text.
Re the off road, you'll be fine. I doubt this stuff will be too crazy. I'm not massively experienced off road but have done a few green lanes and river crossings here and there, we'll make it through!

All the best,

Rick