Hillbilly question - Horse & Trap

[G-Zero]

Risked the morning winds earlier to get a few miles in on NCN14 and was confronted with a horse and trap coming towards me at a trot on one of the narrower sections. The trap was "2 up" and took up most of the width of the path, resulting in me having to get into the grass to allow it to pass.

I'm used to seeing horses and ponies being ridden on the routes, but this is the first time I've seen a trap, which would normally be out on the public road.

Would this set up normally be allowed on cycle routes ?

 

[HLaB]

I doubt there is regs written specifically for a horse and trap but I doubt its allowed. I guess the NCR14 doesn't have those annoying motor cycle barriers?

 

[Theseus]

I used to live near where there was a regular traveller stopping off point. Every now and then they held trap races along the dual carriagway, they can get up to a fair pace.

 

[Andy_R]

Off road sections of NCN14 around Durham City are council owned and theuse of horsedrawn vehicles on them is forbidden. Where were you headed towards, Sherburn, Brandon, or Lanchester?

 

[element]

I can see it now 'excuse me Mr Pikey don't you know that you are not allowed on this path' followed by swift punch to the face and yet another bicycle theft.

 

[G-Zero]

I doubt there is regs written specifically for a horse and trap but I doubt its allowed. I guess the NCR14 doesn't have those annoying motor cycle barriers?

There are gates in places, but this location runs for several miles without any.

Where were you headed towards, Sherburn, Brandon, or Lanchester?

Travelling from Baxter Wood Farm to Lanchester, intending joining NCN7 at Consett, then Vigo and back to Durham. This was on the stretch between Langley Park and Malton.
I got p'd off with the wind though and ended up doing a recip at Lanchester

 

[Arch]

Although it's irritating to have to pull onto the grass, I think a pony and trap would be very low on my list of annoyances while riding a bike!

But I have no idea on the legality...

(I have ridden a horse alongside a cyclepath which is also a bridleway, on a hack out from riding school. We cantered for a while (me clinging on in terror) and then slowed to cross the tarmac and go into a wood. My lack of horsemanship was so great, I ended up skidding my horse on the tarmac...)

 

[coffeejo]

The pulling horses I've seen whilst out cycling have a very different attitude towards bikes than the riding ones. The former snort disapprovingly. I like to think they're saying to their owners "oi, those humans have wheels and they're propelling them under their own steam!"

 

[Norm]

Mrs Norm was steward at a driving event in the Queen's back yard on Sunday. The Greek doesn't compete any more, but he was there.

Flipping Pikeys, huh.

Carriages (or traps, but I bet it was a carriage) are vehicles. They can go on BOATs and RUPPs or whatever they are called this month, but they shouldn't be on bridle paths.

 

[Banjo]

Mrs Norm was steward at a driving event in the Queen's back yard on Sunday. The Greek doesn't compete any more, but he was there.

Flipping Pikeys, huh.

Carriages (or traps, but I bet it was a carriage) are vehicles. They can go on BOATs and RUPPs or whatever they are called this month, but they shouldn't be on bridle paths.

Old Phil wouldnt punch a cyclist and nick his bike, he would send one of his lackeys to do it. In fact he might just do it himself.

Havent come across many carriages Trapps etc ,unless they were racing or making a real nuisance I think I wouild be happy just pull over and let them go by.

Travellers used to race them along a quiet coast road near Cardiff. Bit of a nuisance for residents but quite a spectacle to watch.

 

[G-Zero]

Although it's irritating to have to pull onto the grass, I think a pony and trap would be very low on my list of annoyances while riding a bike!

Same here, so long as it remains a 'one off' or 'rare' occurrence.


But I have no idea on the legality...

Neither did I, but now I'm a bit better informed. Don't want to be encouraging their use or they'll soon find it safer to race on the cycle tracks rather than the highway.

 

[oldroadman]

There's a stretch of the A27 east of Chichester, which has notices on the dual carriageway "NO RACING BY HORSE DRAWN VEHICLES". So a pony/trap is a vehicle. Seems the pikeys used to run a race with a couple of old trucks behind to block following traffic, which reasonably enough brassed off the authorities, arrests followed, etc.
The section must be a good 2-3 miles, and it must have been quite a sight - plus a bad hold up for the busy road which is the main Portsmouth-Brighton route.
Quite glad I don't live in the area!

 

[wiggydiggy]

Theres a lot of vids of the racing on youtube, mostly in Ireland I think?

I dont think I've ever come across a horse and trap on my travels, plenty of horses and riders as theres several horse riding schools in the area

 

[Norm]

There's a stretch of the A27 east of Chichester, which has notices on the dual carriageway "NO RACING BY HORSE DRAWN VEHICLES". So a pony/trap is a vehicle. Seems the pikeys used to run a race with a couple of old trucks behind to block following traffic, which reasonably enough brassed off the authorities, arrests followed, etc.
The section must be a good 2-3 miles, and it must have been quite a sight - plus a bad hold up for the busy road which is the main Portsmouth-Brighton route.
Quite glad I don't live in the area!

There are many round here with "sulkies" (a.k.a. trotting carts) and some of our neighbouring farmers race them. At least one has an oval in their paddock. Fantastic sport to watch, in the right environment.

Mrs Norm lived in Chi before we got married, which was around the time the A27 dual-carriageway was finished. We came up behind the races a couple of times. Although I would definitely not call that the right environment, they can get up a good speed. It was only done at obscure times, the drivers (of the trotters) wouldn't want to draw too much attention to themselves, it's not like the did it on a bank holiday Monday evening.

Almost-interesting fact, the racing carts are sometimes called "bikes", as some have used bike wheels and tyres.