The TRF (Trail Rider Fellowship)

I just want to get a ‘feel’ for your opinions regarding the TRF. It seems most people who I talk to in Britain or when riding abroad is that they fall into at least one of these categories: 1. Are in the TRF. 2. Used to be in the TRF. 3. No intention of ever being in the TRF. For the record I am a long-term member of the TRF who has noticed one question, in particular, that gets asked all the time: Why aren't there more TRF members? Why people leave etc...Don’t worry, I won’t be taking your opinions personally, it’ll just be interesting to know why!

Am in the TRF and am an active member with the Virtual Peaks Group. To be honest the groups that i have been a member of in the past (Southern/East Anglian) were never that welcoming and always felt a bit of an outsider.

I think the Internet based groups are the way forward as it means less time away from family and is easeir to attend.

However i think we are all wasting out time, give it another 10 years or so and there wont be any legal greenlanes left, the govt will have removed our right saying we are a risk/unwanted/holigans take your pick. That will then be the time that i derigister my bike take the plate off and i will ride illegally at night....

But until that time i will ride within the law.

I was a TRF member for about 10 years - again like Todd mentioned I felt they didnt really want any "outsiders" attending their group ! At the time there was a policy of if you were not active on ROW work you were not wanted - I had paid ten years of subscriptions and helped at a couple of horse events etc so felt that enough members like me would be useful to keep the numbers and coffers up but that was not the view prevailing in Trail - so I gave up the struggle !

I also felt the TRF were too keen on a low profile - compared with the 4x4 groups etc that was not good for a long term strategy .

my 2p worth.

I'm not a member of the TRF, I've not been a menber and I have no objection to being a member. Simple fact of the matter is that for the most part, this forum is the only community I'm involved in with any commitment. The main reason for this is that you certainly don't feel an outsider, there is no expectation or pressure and no cost. The members have a great ethic and approach toward trail riding and comps, and its a superb social network.

I think we could say that this forum is supportive of the TRF in principle but most of the active members here tend to want to get out on the trails (if I'm wrong, appols).

At a purely personal level I think the TRF is fighting a futile battle unfortunately. Its only a matter of time before our lanes are closed and this is largely due to missuse and abuse. Unless the TRF or anyone else can police this it will continue. Sadly, I think once all of the legit users have been all but barred the abusers will carry on until they get board and crawl back into their holes. We can only control our own behaviour and I don't think its enough.

Please correct me if you disagree

Well said Mike +1

I've made this topic sticky for now to give everyone chance to have a say.

Not a member of the TRF although have ridden with them in the dim and distant past but never joined.

Don't get me wrong, I am all for RoW Campaigning, just that i also lane on four wheels, so I am a member of GLASS (on the Committee and County Rep), so it seems pointless joining a group that has the same aims when I'm already a member of another. We do work very closely with the TRF at both National and Local level but that is one of the problems with the TRF, that the groups are virtually autonomous and are often at odds with National Policy. There is also a large anti 4x4 movement within the TRF that seems to believe that trail riding would be entirely acceptable if it wasn't for 4x4s "tearing up the countryside". Needless to say there are GLASS members who feel that laning in a 4x4 would be totally acceptable if it wasn't for trail bikes riding too fast on RoW and being too noisy!

The difference is that GLASS won't accept that opinion and is not one held generally by the organisation. Sadly it is allowed to be voiced by certain TRF groups and even National Executive members.

Let's face it, both groups have their hooligans (who are almost always not members of GLASS or the TRF) and there is some truth in both accusations but lets be quite clear, the likes of GLEAM would hate us on principle just because we drive/ride motor vehicles in their countryside, no matter how well behaved we are.

The crucial thing is, we all enjoy the same thing (as do quad riders and buggy drivers) and we have the same enemies so we should be inclusive and not cliquey (a common criticism I hear of the TRF) and work together as much as possible.

Sorry if I have hijacked the thread a bit but I'm just trying to give my honest view of my experiences of the TRF.

I have to say i went to a local TRF meeting recently to be shown a video of their last trip to Wales. Can't say I was much impressed by the film of them openly using what I immediately recognised as a restricted byway.

Rant over.... normal service can be resumed

Rant away . How can problems be ironed out if they are burried?

I think many groups isolate themselves as the 'ones that have got it right'. Perhaps nuturally so as you wouldn't join a group if you didn't think you have it right.

As you say, it is more often the none group members that are at the heart of the real problem. The flip side is that more often than not, it is walking groups and horse groups that are most likely to be offended by our presence than individuals. Groups only come about because of problems and problems are usually caused by the minority of individuals. I come across many walkers and horse riders on my local lanes and these encounters are almost always positive on conclussion and if not they are nuetral.

Perhaps one day all the groups will get together and there will suddenly be no more need for groups. Then everyone will feel better equipped to tackle the problem caused by the mindless minority ... or perhaps not ... ... ... rant rant rant free the slaves !

I'm gona duck out of this thread now before it gets gritty

Thanks chaps for responding to my post, it turned out to be more interesting than I had hoped.

I'm actually going to join the TRF next year, more because i promised someone i would to be honest.
The problem with the TRF in my humble opinion is they are to softly softly. Ironically they could actually do with learning some lessons from the Ramblers Association and the likes. Get out, be seen, be human instead of faceless apologetic hide in the background waiting for scraps types. Organise rallies and get togethers with local groups such as horse events so on so forth, organise a big ride out to downing street, get out and talk to the public, be seen at country shows, not just dirt bike shows where your preaching to the converted etc etc. Just be more proactive with all sorts, make friends and allies.
Anyway, next year could be my first year and last depending on what i see and hear.

I am a TRF member, I attend the monthy meeting, the herts branch are fairly active on the ride out front.... which is good. We are druming up more interest. there is talk of getting a dedicated ride orgaiser / planner.....which will be awesome

GreatBritishRob-you make a couple of interesting points for sure, especially about the mass ride out to Downing Street. We had this very subject thrown around last year and a lot of us thought it would be a great idea....until someone said that can you imagine the headlines if 3000 muddy bikers rolled into the Capital and headed for Downing St! The city boys would have field day complaining about the noise, the smell and look how these hooligans are dressed too... My argument has always been that we could all wear beautifully pressed suits while trail riding and the 'anti's' still wouldn't want us in the countryside! But still i join every year and continue the fight. Just sit back and enjoy being guided around some fantastic byways and ORPA's (Other Roads With Public Access).

The Lincs TRF are a good bunch for sure, i've ridden with them for many years, on rides in deepest Yorkshire to the trails in Devon!

All you stand to lose is £40, so go for it!

I'm sure it would be quieter than the TVR brigade who were out last time I visited London

I have been a member of the TRF since I started green laneing over 12 months ago. The main reason for joining was to find out what the score was regarding riding off road.
As a member I get a monthly magazine, I get emails telling me when a ride out has been arranged, I have met and ridden with a good bunch of folk and most important I pay subs to an organisation that do a lot to keep our B O A T S open.
I will be paying my £40 for next year and I think it is £40 well spent.
I would pay £40 to any organisation if it meant I could keep riding byways
I dont spend all of my riding time with the TRF, probably only about 10% (the club thing can be a bit?????)