North Downs Way advice please

[psycal]

I recently cycled the South Downs Way and thought I'd tackle the North Downs Way next. However, unlike the SDW which seems to be amenable to mountain bikes from start to finish, same route as walking, the NDW seems to have very extensive stretches where it's footpath only and therefore not open to bikes. I've had a look at the North Downs Way riders’ route which gives alternative, vaguely parallel routes to the north or south. Some of these veer off considerably, adding quite a bit of mileage to the overall route. My question is: has anyone in this group found a way of sticking closer to the NDW?

 

[mjr]

the NDW seems to have very extensive stretches where it's footpath only and therefore not open to bikes.

That's only strictly true if there are signs or landowners/agents telling you not to, and even then, I think it's only a civil trespass, not a crime (but check this because there have been attempts to change it). You have no right to cycle a footpath, there may be obstructions like stiles or small gates, and you must not damage anything (including any soft surfaces, so no ploughing mud), but if you give way to everyone and do no harm, then it's often possible, especially for short vital links. Whether it's a good idea... well, opinions differ.

 

[ktmbiker58]

That's only strictly true if there are signs or landowners/agents telling you not to, and even then, I think it's only a civil trespass, not a crime (but check this because there have been attempts to change it). You have no right to cycle a footpath, there may be obstructions like stiles or small gates, and you must not damage anything (including any soft surfaces, so no ploughing mud), but if you give way to everyone and do no harm, then it's often possible, especially for short vital links. Whether it's a good idea... well, opinions differ.

There was a House of Lords ruling in the late 90's that the use of a footpath (being a RoW on private land) was not limited to walkers but more that the use was reasonable.

The thinking has always been that cycling on a footpath was an act of trespass against the landowner who can ask a cyclist to leave - however - trespass requires that the trespasser is denying the owner private use of his land which cannot be the case if there is a public right of way !?

A search on Komoot might reveal some routes that others have ridden - I would also check Google Earth to view the route to see if riding it is an option or if there are lots of gates and stiles

 

[grldtnr]

Really! I may ask why is it a problem ? Nearly every other person rides along the pavement through towns, even when the roads are relatively quiet.
Kudos to you for trying to stick to the rules, coz no one else does much, I for one, thinking does matter actually, but if no one else is around ,I cannot see the harm riding a country footpath, the main issue is it's a footpath , and likely overgrown.
I am also contemplating the NDW ,but on a trike ,so unlikely bto use footpaths.

 

[psycal]

Thanks for helpful responses. I try to stick to bridleways (long dashes on OS maps). Occasionally, usually unwittingly, I've strayed onto footpaths (short dashes) which is fine if no-one's around, but not if I receive the odd negative comment from walkers, and worse if I stumble upon a sign saying 'no cycling'. But interesting that it's not a criminal offence.

 

[Dogtrousers]

I do a fair bit of walking on the North Downs, often on the NDW. Some of the sections are pretty bike unfriendly (leaving aside the rights and wrongs of cycling on footpaths discussed above). So I would say that if you do want to stick more closely to the NDW, then be prepared for bits of walking, and having to stand in brambles and nettles while squeezing past others and maybe lifting the bike over "kissing gates" (I can't specifically remember gates on the NDW, but there are lots of them on footpaths in the area), and potentially flights of steps (again I can't remember if there are any actually on the NDW, but plenty adjacent).

Just a personal thing, but if I was riding along it, even if I was on an MTB or gravel bike, I'd be paralleling it on lanes a lot of the time. But that's just my taste in cycling.

 

[grldtnr]

Despite the reasons ,legal or otherwise, why not just ride the North Downs trail for cyclist, it's been planned & mapped out for just that , cycling.
Whilst it may be slightly longer , why should that matter?
I 've not ridden it myself yet, I do have an ambition to do so, perhaps before the season is out, but surely it's sensible to stick to the NDW , rather than the Pilgrims route, which is centuries old.

 

[Dogtrousers]

But back to the original question.

My question is: has anyone in this group found a way of sticking closer to the NDW?

I just had a look at the maps, specifically the bit I'm really familiar with. First the NDW (link)

Now the NDW riders route (link) from the OP

This section has nothing to do with the NDW. It should be called "The Greensand Ridge Way" or something. Quite why it has dropped south from Kemsing and climbed onto the ridge I don't know. I mean, it's nice but it doesn't even attempt to follow the NDW.

Yes you can get from Kemsing to South of Caterham using quiet lanes and some bits of the NDW without going out of your way via Sevenoaks Weald and Crockham hill. Here's a possibility: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/52616707 These are all roads/tracks that I've ridden on 28mm slicks. It stays close-ish to the NDW. There are probably more off-road/on NDW possibilities, but I chose to stick with what I've actually ridden.

The "Riders Route" is a pleasant (but quite hilly) detour away from the NDW. I don't understand why they chose it.

 

[psycal]

Thanks all. I think I'll do a bit of both: NDW when it's clearly bridleway + parallel bridleways, Trackway and lanes, keeping as near as I can to the NDW route. I agree with the above comment about the Riders Route, which (for me) deviates too far.