Green lanes, Off road centres, byways, scenic roads - Contribution - DIRECTORY.

Riccy wrote: www.glass-uk.org/join-glass.html

Have a look here (or the competiton called ATUK). They both have some fantastic mapping systems to make finding lanes easier (england and wales only).

GLASS's version is called trailwise2.co.uk where I think there is a demo or video of how it works.

Dont forget to check the council 'definitive' map (usually online for each regional council). That is the ONLY way to ensure you are legally driving a lane. Just because its there and looks open, doesn't mean you are actually allowed to go down it.

Great videos Riccy.

The ford crossing one is especially brilliant.

Hi Andy,

I need to join GLASS as well to try out a few more lanes (we tend to play at a 4x4 centre near us), but also look out for UCR (Unclassified roads). Warwickshire council's definitive map ( maps.warwickshire.gov.uk/rightsofway/ ) does not show those, but they (paths@warwickshire.gov.uk) have told me there are a total of 8 BOATs (Byways Open to All Traffic) in Warwickshire (most very short apparently), and they redirected me to the County Highways Team (countyhighways@warwickshire.gov.uk) for UCRs. As Riccy says, they can tell you if there are any current restrictions (TROs - www.warwickshire.gov.uk/pathorders ) in place on those routes.

There is a nice long section of the Centenary Way near Ufton that is actually an unclassified road (the signs saying Unsuitable for Motor Vehicles are good signs for research!) that I have been along (and back) once, although it too apparently has some history of people straying off-track inconsiderately. Now I mention it, I think I want to try it again

Riccy - are you impartial or can you make a recommendation of ATUK vs GLASS for considerate laning info, especially for a non-Facebook user which seems to be a hindrance nowadays?! Thanks

Nick

Hi Nick,

Yes.... I am going to support and sign up for one of the two as well. I have found a "free resource" for the location of byways BOATs, and it shows 95% of them.

Still going to join one of the 2 though, simply out of respect for green laning and the work they do.

A note on the "unsuitable for motor vehicles" thing. One well known lane which is legally open to all vehicles, has this sign posted up too. It is to "persuade" vehicles to not enter, but legally it is moot (As far as i know, but i'm pretty sure on this). One lane i wont mention here has been petitioned by walkers, and is in a state of bureaucratic stalemate. From my research....You do have the legal right to use this lane, but because of heavy vehicle use and perhaps inconsiderate bad apples, some walkers have got the hump. I reserve judgement on this. Good thing about all generation jimny's is...we are light I'm game!!

PM heading your way.

NickR wrote:
Riccy - are you impartial or can you make a recommendation of ATUK vs GLASS for considerate laning info, especially for a non-Facebook user which seems to be a hindrance nowadays?! Thanks

Nick

GLASS for me.
They have been around a lot longer, their lane mapping system is good and the local area reps are great.

ATUK is only a couple of years old so doesnt list anything like as many lanes (nothing at all in Nortumberland for example). They do have a recent trick up their sleeve relating to being able to use the mapping system with GPS to get your location and being able to upload .GPX route files to the servers, neither of which the GLASS system supports (though may now the competition are doing it hopefully).

Both have forums but they dont get much traffic, Facebook is where they seem to focus most of their efforts. It is handy for chat and organising, but theres always a few bitchy comments now and then (usual banter stuff).

From a proactive point they seem to differ. GLASS like to keep an eye on the legal challenges to lanes and have funding set aside from memberships for this. They encourage laning primarily for 4x4 but do recognize the 2 wheel brigade. Dont do a vast amount of lane maintenance days.
ATUK are a bit softer and prefer to avoid the legal stuff so much and focus more on users helping to maintain fairly bland lanes so they are suitable for all. They are what I (being a Northerner) would refer to as 'Southern pansies' from my point of view, hence I didnt renew my membership there :laugh:

I only tend to visit pay and play sites, but these are good:

Avalanche Adventure near Sibbertoft

avalancheadventure.co.uk/

Small but plenty of fun for the day. Can be driven without damage it you want or you can put it on the roof....not me happy to say

Wagtail 4x4

wagtail4x4offroadcentre.yolasite.com/

Large site with simple feilds to drive or more muddy sections. Great if you are a group and want to camp etc. In fact going to the site again next weekend for camping and fun with my Series. Any local Jimnys want to call to say hello?

Thanks Riccy, I finally got round to it and joined GLASS last night - just waiting for my Trailwise approval.

Scimike,
I hired Avalanche Adventure for the day for a bunch of cars a couple of days before Christmas 2016. Great fun, and the centre was one massive clay mud pit to slide around in! Unfortunately, the clay basically became grinding paste, and was still taking it's toll on our cars to varying extents months later. Might give it another go in a dry period to see the difference.

Wagtail is our "local" and we often pop by on the way home from work as it is only a few miles detour. We were there on Tuesday although the weekend had baked the ground hard so make sure your fillings are in solidly The rain over the last few days should have softened it again. That is a great place to play, as you say, with a massive variety of obstacles from grass to seemingly-impassable mud pits!

Are you there all weekend? I can't be sure if I can make it, but I will try and drop in if I can!

Sounds like there may be a few of us in the Midlands area...

Nick