First TRF ride 03/11/12

First TRF ride 03/11/12

After the ride last weekend and me finally getting back on to the saddle of my dirt bike, I thought I must now keep the momentum going. I had joined the TRF some time ago. The real reason behind joining was more the fact of how they help keep the lanes open and fight for our rights. I had at one point in the past thought why should I pay to ride when I can ride for free. But as I witnessed lanes and rights of ways being shut down. I thought all I do is moan. By joining the TRF I was doing something positive to keep the lanes open. I had an email to say there was a beginner’s ride this Saturday the 3^rd, at first I was a bit unsure of whether to go or not. Should I do my own ride? Then I thought well I have joined and this would be good for me I could enjoy the ride instead of leading and worrying about things like the pace, where to go, time etc. but what really clinched it for me was the fact that they said they were riding some lanes in Park Street and Radlett. I know of a lane in Radlett and thought it would be interesting. 

Saturday morning arrived, it was a bright and sunny morning not a cloud in the sky. Unfortunately at this time of year it meant a heavy frost and extremely cold. I got kitted up and by 9.15am was on the road heading toward the meet point at Hatfield. I fuelled up on the way so I had a full tank ready for the ride. When I arrived there were three people waiting so introductions took place, I had already met the organiser of today’s ride.

I had been leading a ride and had stopped at a garage in Redbourn for food and fuel when Mario, today’s leader had approached me asking where we had been and where we were going. I also recognised another rider, Simon. He had ridden with us when we had ridden from Baldock to Essex and back. As the departure time approached several more riders turned up. The last rider to arrive, I also knew, Pete and had ridden with him on a few occasions.

Just before 10am we had the final ride brief and at 10am we were underway. The first thing I noticed about the ride was the pace was what I’d call mellow. And the second man rule that we usually use worked very well.

The second man rule is as follows. You have a leader and a sweeper. These are made clear at the beginning of the ride. When you make a turn at a junction or roundabout the leader carries on leading, the second man marks the turn showing the correct way for the rest of the riders to go. He waits until he can see the sweeper and the sweeper him. This is usually indicated by a nod or thumbs up. The second man then joins the back of the pack but in front of the sweeper. Simple.

I was on my local riding ground that and the fact I wasn’t leading meant I was relaxed. At the steady that was being set I could concentrate on my riding technique and take in the lovely autumn views and colours. It’s funny and easy to criticise but when I plan a ride I try to make it flow with as little road work as possible. Today there seemed to be a lot of unnecessary road work and back tracking. But this is the only criticism I have. At 12noon we stopped at the Rookery café for a hot cup of tea and a nice bacon roll.  The day had run smooth with no problems. I was now waiting for the Park Street and Radlett part of the ride. This would also give me an insight of how the TRF are working hard to keep our lanes and rights of way open. It seems that the powers that be want to close a small section of byway, this section happens to be right in the middle of the byway? What’s it all about? Have the powers that be no sense. Obviously not. There is no reason to close this part of the lane. It will only create two lanes that go nowhere.

 At 12.30 we headed of toward our finally lanes. We had a quick stop for fuel then carried on our way.  The lane at Park Street was for me totally unexpected. I had searched local maps looking for routes by me and found nothing and this one was beyond a shadow of a doubt a cracker. The lane was nice and the water crossing was spectacular. We did nearly lose one bike at the crossing but apart from that it was great. We had a briefing on the proposed closure and how the TRF were dealing with it, my hat goes off to them. We then set off to what would be my final lane of the day. This is a lane I have known about for over a year yet not found a reason to ride there to do it. After a short ride we were there. The lane was nice but deceptively slippery. There was a nice little water crossing to finish with. I had a great day’s riding at a relaxed pace and was shown a couple of new lanes. I couldn’t of asked for more. The day had again reinforced why I like to ride.