Cycling: West Wiltshire Downs

[speedbird591]

Just one picture to sum up today's ride:



I'd intended one of my regular loops but there were too many horses for my liking. So I took a detour and used my OS map and compass to discover some cracking new trails. You never know what the day will bring, do you? Do you think horses should be allowed on bridleways?

Ian

[Garry Russell]

Do you think horses should be allowed on bridleways?

Ian

Yes, providing they're riding bicycles

Looks so nice and peacful Ian

[airboatr]

being your my friend, I hate to dissagree with you on anything Ian . but they do call it a bridle way


I do hope you din't have to do too much hoofing and puffing on your ride mate*


nic piccy

[FlyTexas]

Great pic, Ian! I try to avoid horses at all costs. It's been my experience that horses kind of freak out when you ride past them. It's weird...there must be something about a human on a bicycle that really spooks them.

Brian

[DelP]

Great pic, Ian! I try to avoid horses at all costs. It's been my experience that horses kind of freak out when you ride past them. It's weird...there must be something about a human on a bicycle that really spooks them.

Here in the UK horses are precious...or rather their owners/riders are

When I lived in Central America horses were working animals, an asset, properly trained, part of the family and treated as such...they didn't get spooked by anything

Lovely pic Ian

Derek

[speedbird591]

Thanks, guys.

I'm very nervous around horses since meeting a hunt in a narrow lane and a horse kicked my (stationary) car some years back. Since taking up this trail riding lark, I've been confronted by a few ladies on huge steeds whilst I've been plummeting round blind downhill corners on bridleways. It don't half make them jump, I can tell you But, so far, I've had time to throw myself and the bike in the bushes before getting trampled.

But coming up behind them is worse because they can't see you and only hear you at the last minute, so overtaking is fraught with danger Rather than use the bell, I approach slowly, and ask the rider if it's OK to come past. It gives them time to calm the horse down and not let it get startled. It's not chivalry - it's self-preservation

One horse is OK but on Sunday I came up behind one woman who was riding one huge horse and leading another on a narrow path. So I stopped for a break. Then later it was a group of a dozen pony-trekkers. That's when I chose a 'path less travelled'!

A day off tomorrow - I'll be off for another 20 miler somewhere or other. Not many horses on weekdays.

Ian

[Garry Russell]

Indeed Ian

Surprising just how big horses can be and frightning when in full flight

I was riding my bike in Jersey and came across a Metro that had just been written off by a spooked horse

All that caution should hold you in good steed

[HawkerHart]

I'd love to do more cycling. But there's no routes like the above near here. And I hate cycling on roads- dangerous and boring! Although no horses.