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Trail Riders Fellowship

What is the TRF?

The Trail Riders Fellowship is a motorcycle club formed in 1970, based in England and Wales that is dedicated to the conservation of green roads and the legal right to ride them on motorcycles.

Green roads are a collective name used to describe the network of minor roads that do not have a waterproof surface of either tarmac or concrete. They are to be found in rural locations and are the remains of the road network that has escaped surfacing with tarmac or concrete. They have remained relatively unchanged since the early 20th century. Motorcycles have been using them since the end of the 19th century when bicycles were first motorised by Daimler in 1885. A motorcycle is eminently suited to travelling on these type of road due to their narrow width and low surface impact. In UK law there is no distinction between these and the tar macadamised road network. Specific designations of green roads are byway open to all traffic and unclassified road, although some of these may also be tarred.

From 1970 to 2007 the TRF was an unincorporated body with no limit to liabilities. Officers and members could in theory be liable for legal costs. This would become unsustainable in future years when adverse legislation and litigation became a bigger threat over the continued access to green roads.

Challenges for continued legal access to these green roads are the reason the TRF was formed. This followed the passing of the Countryside Act 1968 which threatened the designation of byway for many of these old roads. Over the succeeding decades the TRF made several significant legal challenges in the courts, some of which were successful and others had to be abandoned due to the threat of punitive legal costs.

Since 2007 has been a company limited by guarantee (Company number - 05848933). It is currently run by a board of 9 Full Directors with Honorary Directors having advisory but non-executive powers. The company is run under Company Articles and Bye-laws.

There are just over 5000 individual members (2018) who pay an annual membership fee. This entitles them to membership benefits including designation to one or more of 40 local groups. These groups do not form part of the company per-se but are critical to the running of the organisation. Each will elect group officers annually. Much of the activity of the local groups is devoted to the activity of non-competitive riding on green roads. Local rights of way work also forms and important part with liaison with local highway authorities. Local management and liaison can often deal with contentious issues around road maintenance and access. This is often seen in the form of weight or vehicle type restriction over the wet winter months when surfaces are easily damaged by vehicles weighing over 0.5 tonnes, including that by commercial vehicles.

Road conservation has been undertaken by many groups with national support over the decades. This can involve anything from minor repairs and ditch clearance to full-scale road building, finishing the surfaces with durable road stone. Other user groups such as the all wheel drive and 4x4 car clubs are critical in this work.

Many TRF groups support horse-riding events such as Eventing and cross-country trials. Experience has shown that motorcycles used for marshalling are ideal for collecting score cards and running errands. These are tasks that the horses themselves are unsuitable for, due to lack of stamina.

A significant part of the work of the TRF nationally is devoted to “rights of road” activity and the annual budget for this work is over £100,000 (2017).

The TRF has a web site and members information areas. Over the years various forms of social media platforms have been made available. A paper version of the club magazine was printed until 2013 when it was then only made available in pdf format. As of 2017 a periodical version has been printed in A4 magazine format.

The beginnings of the TRF

The first meeting of the Trail Riders Fellowship (TRF) occurred at the Valiant Trooper in Aldbury, near Tring in Hertfordshire on the 18th January 1970. The Berkhamsted Motorcycle and Car Club (BMC&C) formed the foundation for its creation.

The idea for a TRF had been around for some time before January 1970, the chief exponents being journalists, Ralph Venables and colleague John Ebbrell. They had already been turned down by the British Motorcycle Federation (BMF) so they enlisted the help of Berkhamsted club secretary Ernie Wrigley and the Berkhamsted club and the South Midland centre Auto Cycle Union (ACU) “right of way” committee.

A “green roads” run with a difference was organised on Sunday 18th Jan 1970 by the Berkhamsted club but it would be unusual because of what is planned to follow it. A brand new national club would hold their first meeting. The tentative name will be the Trail Riders Fellowship. The Green Roads run was under the leadership of Dick and Jean Sutton of the West Middlesex Amateur Motorcycle Club. The run took in the Icknield Way for approximately 17 miles. They rode in four groups on a wide range of machines ranging from a 50cc Italian cross-country machine to a 1000cc Egli Vincent.

Sections of this 3000 year old road had fallen into disuse and had been abandoned by ramblers and horse riders. Motorcyclists rode the way legally to promote the desire to see the full length of the Icknield Way properly classed as a byway by the local authorities. It was decided that the run would open the route and to help upgrade a section of the Upper Icknield Way which changes from a Road Used as a Public Path RuPP) to a bridleway (no motorised vehicles allowed) and back to a RuPP at the change of county borders.

The day began with the “Green Roads” ride out which was limited to a maximum of twenty-four riders and it concluded at the Valiant Trooper. The riders’ ages were also quite widely spread with the youngest at sixteen and the eldest George Abbay a sixty seven year old who had travelled from Shipley in Yorkshire to ride in the event.

Weather conditions were not good. A 1000cc Vincent, drizzle and a muddy green lane in January must have been challenging. At the end of the day at 5.00pm the inaugural meeting of the then proposed “Trail Riders Fellowship” took place and amazingly another fifty people showed up to attend the meeting. Thirty had taken part in the run.

The three original sponsors, Messrs. John Ebbrell, Ralph Venables and Ernie Wrigley provided a written summary of the general idea behind the Fellowship.

The following persons were elected to serve the Fellowship and to guide it through its formative period.

·     President: George Abbey

·     Director: Ernie Wrigley

·     Secretary: Colin Salmon

·     Treasurer Mike Brown

·     Editor: John Ebbrel

The meeting was a huge success as fifty six riders paid their subscription and became the first members of the TRF.

Code of Conduct

The TRF has had a code of conduct since the early days of its formation. Its purpose is not only to inform its members on how to behave when riding green roads but also to demonstrate to other green road users, enforcing authorities and government that trail riders are a responsible user group. It is revised from time to time by the Directors and TRF members.

·      USE ONLY VEHICULAR RIGHTS OF WAY

Trail riding is only lawful on public roads. If in doubt, check with the Highway Authority or the TRF. Motorcycles and riders must be road-legal. Green roads are subject to the same laws as surfaced roads.

·      KEEP TO THE DEFINED WAY ACROSS FARMLAND

Wheels can damage crops and grass. Wandering from the road onto farmland or moorland is trespassing.

·      GIVE WAY TO WALKERS, HORSES AND CYCLISTS

As a courtesy, on narrow lanes, stop and switch off engines.

·      ACKNOWLEDGE THE PRESENCE OF OTHER GREEN ROAD USERS

With a friendly wave or other suitable gesture.

·      FASTEN GATES TO SAFEGUARD STOCK

Except those tied open for farming purposes. An open gate invites animals to stray, endangering themselves, and crops or traffic.

·      TRAVEL AT A SAFE SPEED

Ride at a reasonable speed, taking regard of conditions and visibility. This should not exceed the voluntary maximum of 25mph.

·      RIDE QUIETLY

Machines must be effectively silenced. Use the throttle with discretion, as noise does offend. Green roads are subject to the same laws as surfaced roads.

·      HONOUR THE COUNTRY CODE

Respect the countryside and those who live, work and play in it. Green roads can be valuable habitats, so take special care in spring and early summer.

·      IDENTIFY YOURSELF

Carry your membership card with you when trail riding - so that you may identify yourself as a current member of the TRF - and display a current membership sticker.