West Berkshire (especially Newbury/Hungerford) riders.....

[nikicb]

Hello,

I am fairly new to the area and having trouble finding safe off road hacking. We have quite a few bridlepaths, but they don't link very well and I'm finding that we have to do quite a lot of roadwork on narrow bendy lanes. There are quite a lot of big estates round here, but only a couple (quite a way from me) seem to offer riding permits.

I have contacted TROT and they don't currently have any plans for new routes here and wondered whether I would be interested in helping to coordinate one.

This is very early stages, and I certainly need to think about it more, but if anyone else would be interested in helping with this or has any input, links with landowners etc would you let me know.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Leg_end]

Where are you based as there is so much brilliant hacking in the area?

 

[nikicb]

Where are you based as there is so much brilliant hacking in the area?

I'll pm you with exact location, but the problem we have where we are specifically is that there are no short rides (nothing less than 2 hours and we need quite a bit of road work to get up there or we have to box somewhere). I'm not the only person in our little 'pocket' to have this problem.

ETA I have children including one on the lead rein and whilst I will ride along some of these roads myself I really don't like taking the children along them. It's bad enough walking the dogs (which I do with a hi viz jacket on!).

 

[nikicb]

bump.... thanks

 

[nikicb]

Just bumping to see whether any of the evening crowd have any input.
Thanks.

 

[Donnie Darco]

Hi

Where abouts are you in west Berkshire? There certainly is some amazing riding depending on where you are

I'm in Newbury, hacking not the best from our farm, but there are other benefits

Are you aware of our local bridle ways lady Janice?

 

[Irishbabygirl]

I would be interested to know how you get on with this, I'm in between kintbury and newbury and have the same problem! What estates can you get permits for do you know? Many thanks

 

[nikicb]

Dd thanks for your reply. We are near Boxford and probably at least 1.5 to 2 miles to the nearest bridle paths. It might not seem far but it wipes out the ability to do a quick whizz round the block! Also it's a bit of a trek with little ones on the lead rein even if we pick our times and use the roads in less busy times. Luckily one of our neighbours has said we can ride round their 2 acre field which at least gives us a change of scene from our 2 acre field but it's not real hacking. There are some riders who ride across the field near us but as far as I know they are not allowed to and go so fast that the chances of me asking them are remote! I also have to bear in mind that we live here and don't really want to antagonise the neighbouring estate too much.

Which side of Newbury are you? And no I don't know of Janice but would love her details if you can pm me. Thanks.

 

[nikicb]

Hi Irishbabygirl! You must be so close to me! We are between Stockcross and Boxford. The only estates I've found so far are Hermitage way - Mortimer and I can't think of the other one but you have to have separate permits for each and it all adds up. Not to mention the need to box there. If I hack from home I have to trek down to Boxford then either up to Winterbourne or through Westbrook and over the M4. Or I've boxed up to Chieveley before and ridden from there. If you are interested in hacking together let me know. I have my sons' 13.3 which is between children at the moment but he's sane if a little whizzy (part Arab) and needs the work. I can box to meet you. Would be quite interested in exploring the area south of the B4000 and A4 if you know if at all.
Thanks! X

 

[Irishbabygirl]

I used to keep my horses over that way, are you near lip lane off the b400 as that's nice riding, goes to elcot, and opposite that is a lane that leads on to lamborne valley way, theres a nice bridleway opposite the 5 bells ph at wickham or is that a bit far for you?

 

[Irishbabygirl]

Oh and yes, know south of the a4 very well so happy to meet up! It's a couple of hours but I like to ride up to coombe and inkpen from where I am now, which is hampstead Marshall.