Can anybody explain to me why mountain bikes seem to be reviled in some
parts of the UK countryside?

First of all, I can't tell why mountain bikes aren't allowed on
footpaths. I can see that some paths are too narrow to be easily ridden
on and there are often gates in the way, but surely that's shouldn't
stop somebody trying to use them. Bikes cause no more erosion than
walking and can't be more trouble to crops or livestock than a walker
with a dog. Obviously a cyclist can be a threat to a walker, but so can
a dog or a person with a stick if he's behaving like an arsehole. It's
down to the person, not what they're using to navigate the trail.

I'm also not sure why landowners seem so angry when they meet bikers
who have gone a bit astray. Last weekend, I was out on a ride that
admittedly used some footpaths. On a couple of occasions, the signs
weren't that great and I accidentally ended up on a bit of track that
was not officially a footpath, although it was less than 100 yards from
where the footpath was. Both times, I was literally shouted at by
landowners for being in the wrong place. I was riding on paths that had
clearly been used as tracks for vehicles, so I can't have been doing
any damage.

I don't object to being told I'm in the wrong place, but this wasn't "I
think you're a bit lost mate," this was being chased by a landrover and
having somebody yell "what the hell do you think you're playing at?"

What's up with that?? On the one hand I'm annoyed, because I like off
road riding and can't see why it's such a problem. On the other hand,
I'd like to have more sympathy for people who object so I can work out
how not to annoy them.

Peter

--
rec.bicycles.off-road is moderated by volunteers. To find help solving
posting problems, or contact the moderators, please see http://rbor.org/
Please read the charter before posting: http://rbor.org/rbor_charter.txt