The National Park Authority are proposing a scheme to make some car parks “dog free”. This comes from their draft Recreation Management Strategy and is causing a bit of a fuss from New Forest dog walkers.

I don’t have a dog. I used to own a Rottweiler though, and I know they do like a good walk! I have only had one bad experience with a dog in the Forest. I got chased by one when cycling. This was from a dog from a local farm, and not really related to the walkers ban issue.

Apart from that my experience of dog walkers has been pretty positive. Most of them are considerate to me, especially when cycling. I suspect there will be irresponsible dog owners who use the Forest, but it is a real shame when this minority will potentially curb the freedom of the vast majority of responsible dog owners and their four legged companions.

The New Forest Dog Owners Group (NFDOG) was started to protect the rights of dog owners. Here is their New Forest Dog Walking Code.

• If you cannot control your dog you must keep it on a lead
• Your dog must not be allowed to disturb or chase livestock or wildlife
• Keep your dog to existing tracks when birds nest on the ground
• Prevent your dog fouling on footpaths and around car parks
• Groups of dogs can be intimidating – keep them under control
• Be considerate to other forest users
• Keep well away for any work taking place in the forest
• Prevent excessive barking by your dog

Here is a publication from the NFDOG regarding this draft from the NPA.

Went for a nice cycle ride this morning. Headed out for the Bratley Plain, just north of the busy A31. Listening to my iPod helped drown out the traffic noise. Cycling along I saw a nice view of ponies grazing in the purple heather. I stopped, got my camera out, and then saw three stags, who had just seen me. Fumbling with the camera, I was too slow and the three deer made a dash for the cover of the nearby trees.

On the way back I noticed some orange and yellow fungi, just along the road to Burley.

Discover some of the 100 miles of way-marked cycle tracks across the New Forest and also learn the New Forest Cycle Code!

Download the New Forest Cycle Code & Map in .pdf format. An excellent free guide to cycling in the New Forest and with a very useful map with places of interest, and the all important pubs!

New Forest Cycle Code

Here are the 8 points of the Forestry Commission’s New Forest Cycle Code:

1. Keep to the way marked gravel tracks when cycling in the forest
2. Slow down and call out a warning when approaching other forest users. Be courteous and friendly
3. Take extra care when approaching horse riders. When in a group, all cyclists should pass the horse on the same side
4. Do not startle ponies, cattle and wildlife. Go slowly, and give them space
5. Avoid causing obstructions – do not ride more than two abreast. Always ride in single file on narrow roads
6. Keep well away from any work going on in the forest
7. Do not pass any vehicle loading timber unless told to do so
8. Use the map, and plan to be out of the forest by dusk

Yesterday I took my Specialized Rockhopper Disc ’08 mountain bike for a quick spin. In the end it turned out to be a little bit more than a fleeting outing around the forest.

As a former Scout, I try to adhere to the "be prepared" mantra. Cycling round the New Forest, especially on it’s gravel tracks, can be hard on bike and rider. Cycling alone, brings added responsibilities too. Do you carry a puncture repair kit, tools, and a pump with you? My Speacialized Sirrus Pro for 7 years yielded no punctures on it’s daily commute, on the relatively smooth West London streets. I did have a good tyre though. Specialized Armadillos. Heavy, but exceptionally puncture resistant.

No matter how prepared you are. Things can go wrong. A friend of mine used to regularly take his campervan abroad in the summer. Trekking down to Spain, he even took a spare clutch with him. However when the clutch did eventually give way, he found that his spare clutch was the wrong model! I found myself in a similar situation yesterday. I got my first flat in the forest. Luckily it happened less than a mile and a half from my home. I had a spare tube, pump and CO2 canister, what could go possibly wrong?

I thought that I would just inflate the tyre with my brand new CO2 cartridge, and cycle straight home. This is where I came unstuck. I installed the cartridge, in the pump thing. But I couldn’t get a good coupling on the front tyre valve. The cartridge released, but most of it escaped the tubes inners.

I tried using the manual pump but again couldn’t connect properly with the valve. So I gave up, and pushed the bike home. Along the way I admired and took some pictures of ponies, cattle and also some funguii that I would have missed if my tyre had been inflated.

Today, I fixed the puncture at home, and inflated the tyre using my stirrup pump. At least the bike is ready for another outing. I know how to connect my Combo2 pump, now the lever needs to be up to latch the valve, the opposite to my stirrup pump, again made by Specialized. Well, I know now. Next time I will be better prepared before I cycle out into the New Forest.

Essential Cycling Kit

• Helmet – goes without saying on these gravel tracks
• Pump – working!
• Puncture Repair Kit
• Tools – allen keys, spanners, screwdriver
• Mobile Phone – a good idea