Bridleway legality, cyclocross TT

Paul 8v

Bit of an odd one this but stick with me...

I had the idea of organising an off road TT for our club, just as something a bit different to do in the winter months, I know you are allowed to ride on Bridleways normally but would you be allowed to run a timed event on one? Just to clarify these are Bridleways in the middle of nowhere rather than some busy canal path with loads of people on them.

Is this asking for trouble or something feasible? The other alternative could be a green lane.

ugo.santalucia

I've seen it done.
Advertise locally and you'll probably get fewer than 20 people, so not an issue. If you want to get big numbers, then you might have to check with local authorities and expect troubles

Paul 8v

I would have thought it would be a club one, we get about 60 at our club cross races but that is with other clubs as well and this is a bit more niche so I doubt we would get that many but you do have a point, big numbers would be a pain!

t4tomo

And bear in mind hikers, dog walkers and horses have just as much right to be using it at the same time.

Paul 8v

Yeah I'm trying to find one in the middle of nowhere, there are a few that see no use at all hardly near me, out on the marshes and also possibly some private roads at the aerodrome but you would still have to be cautious

rickwiggans

I've been involved in a similar capacity, but with horses. The answer is that if it can be construed as a race, it isn't permitted. If it is timed, for the information of the individual competitor, you are OK. So it comes down a bit to how you present your results. Present them in timed order, it looks like a race, present them alphabetically, it's not. The same actually applies on a road. From a purely legal standpoint, that's the main difference between a road race and a sportive. At one time, the equestrian events I'm referring to were called Endurance Races. On legal advice, the events were renamed Endurance Rides.

Paul 8v

Ah that's interesting, it's all down to semantics then really.

rickwiggans

Pretty much!

tgotb

I'd also figure out what the legal liability situation is. Time Trials on the road are covered by CTT insurance (so long as you follow their regs); Road and CX races are covered by BC insurance (again, you have to follow their regs). If you can't massage your race to meet the requirements of one of those, maybe investigate how off-road sportives work. If they're covered by BC insurance, that might be the easiest way to do it.

rickwiggans

Good thought.

diy

bridleways are the same as roads with regard to the cycle racing.

Section 31 of the Road Traffic act rules apply
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/198 ... cle-racing

All a bridleway is is a road that is restricted to horses and cycles.

rickwiggans

Not quite. Authorisation may be granted for races on the highway - other than bridleways.

Paul 8v

I thought it might not be so straightforward!

rickwiggans

Nothing is, but I'm sure you'll end up having a great day!

Paul 8v

Thanks, I'll let you know how I get on with it!

diy

The law is pre-internet, strava and GPS. You're probably guilty of promoting an illegal race by publishing a segment and inviting people to post their times.

If the local bobble hats kick off, you'll have dibble on you pretty quick. If your route crosses any popular mtb trails you'll be doubly unpopular if you slow the locals up.

MountainMonster

rickwiggans wrote:

I've been involved in a similar capacity, but with horses. The answer is that if it can be construed as a race, it isn't permitted. If it is timed, for the information of the individual competitor, you are OK. So it comes down a bit to how you present your results. Present them in timed order, it looks like a race, present them alphabetically, it's not. The same actually applies on a road. From a purely legal standpoint, that's the main difference between a road race and a sportive. At one time, the equestrian events I'm referring to were called Endurance Races. On legal advice, the events were renamed Endurance Rides.

I was completely unaware of those rules, very interesting to know! Thanks for that.