Tales of a NOW EX-Sustrans NCN Volunteer Ranger

[Oscar's dad]

If you want negative, ask me to start about sustrans and their routes.



I won't start as I'm impressed so far with Oscar's Dad's contributions and hope that they will continue.

Thanks mate.  Not going all soft on us are you Nutty?   

[Jaded]

No, he's off on another thread laying into Apple! 

  Sorry Nutty! 

[Regulator]

Gah. The ranger application form has a "Why would you like to be a ranger?" field. I'm getting job interview-like palpitations and am on my third sheet of A4 trying to thing of something sensible. Gah.

" 'cos cycle farcilities really really wind me up and I'd rather cyclists knew how wonderful it was to just get on their bikes and ride from A to B via a sensible route. "



I know I'll never get accepted as a ranger for that organisation

Actually, if I were Sustrans I'd give you the job with an answer like that.  I think it shows you understand what Sustrans is about - getting from A to B via a sensible route*.





*I'll be the first to admit that they sometime get it worng - but the Rangers have a lot of input in routing, so you'd be able to influence route choice from the inside.

[Oscar's dad]

Gah. The ranger application form has a "Why would you like to be a ranger?" field. I'm getting job interview-like palpitations and am on my third sheet of A4 trying to thing of something sensible. Gah.

" 'cos cycle farcilities really really wind me up and I'd rather cyclists knew how wonderful it was to just get on their bikes and ride from A to B via a sensible route. "



I know I'll never get accepted as a ranger for that organisation

Actually, if I were Sustrans I'd give you the job with an answer like that.  I think it shows you understand what Sustrans is about - getting from A to B via a sensible route*.





*I'll be the first to admit that they sometime get it wrong - but the Rangers have a lot of input in routing, so you'd be able to influence route choice from the inside.

Which is exactly why I joined up.  I have cycled enough to understand some of the problems with the NCN.  Thus far, I have found that I can instigate change on my little patch.  I have fostered good relationships with the local Liaison Rangers and Area Manager.  On the back these relationships I can make a difference.

So, if you have an opinion, good or bad, on Sustrans or the National Cycle Network then join up.  If my experience is anything to go by you can make a difference.

[oldcobblers]

...So, if you have an opinion, good or bad, on Sustrans or the National Cycle Network then join up.  If my experience is anything to go by you can make a difference.

Not necessarily, I'm afraid.  Sustrans staff are "people on a mission" and in my experience don't take kindly to criticism.  I've been warned to keep my mouth shut on more than one occasion.  Reminds me of that line in "Italian Job": "Here, we all work as a team.  And that means that you all do what I say".
This was another reason why I moved on.  One of the great things about bashing your head against a brick wall.  It's great when you stop.

Having said that, I'm still on the books.  Perhaps when I feel like a bit of head bashing I might have another go later on.  Never say never again (sticking with the movie theme...  )

[nuttycyclist]

If you want negative, ask me to start about sustrans and their routes.



I won't start as I'm impressed so far with Oscar's Dad's contributions and hope that they will continue.

Thanks mate.  Not going all soft on us are you Nutty?   

It's the summer heat.  I'm melting.

[Oscar's dad]

The weekend just gone was rather splendid for a whole variety of reasons.  One reason was that we got to play with a section of the National Cycle Network previously unknown to us.  We were camping near Waldringfield, just down the road from Woodbridge, Suffolk.

My OS Landranger (sheet 169) showed that NCN Route 1 ran close by.  So we followed it south, through the top of Felixstowe to Felixstowe Ferry where we crossed the mouth of the Deben.  The route then took us through Bawdesy and Alderton where we turned off and headed to Woodbridge.  A few observations:

1. The OS map was wrong.  We were in fact on NCN Route 41, not Route 1
2. The signage was good.  The route was also part of the Suffolk Coast Ride so we had two sets of signs to follow.  I am not sure whether we would have needed a map back up as we were following our wonderful Garmin GPS.
3. The route itself was very nice and I think this is the beauty of NCN routes.  One assumes that someone with local knowledge has been out and picked the nicest and quietest roads from all those available.  The route perhaps wasn't the most direct but we had quiet roads, good views and lots of poppies.
4. The ferryman that took us across the Deben was very grumpy and rude but I can't blame that on Sustrans!

All in all, a very pleasant National Cycle Network experience.

[ABlipInContinuity]

Firstly, OD, I'm glad I've finally picked up on this thread and read it. Sounds like you are doing an admirable job, giving it 110% and then offering a brilliant insight into it.

Gah. The ranger application form has a "Why would you like to be a ranger?" field. I'm getting job interview-like palpitations and am on my third sheet of A4 trying to thing of something sensible. Gah.

" 'cos cycle farcilities really really wind me up and I'd rather cyclists knew how wonderful it was to just get on their bikes and ride from A to B via a sensible route. "



I know I'll never get accepted as a ranger for that organisation

Actually, if I were Sustrans I'd give you the job with an answer like that.  I think it shows you understand what Sustrans is about - getting from A to B via a sensible route*.





*I'll be the first to admit that they sometime get it worng - but the Rangers have a lot of input in routing, so you'd be able to influence route choice from the inside.

On that precis I should join. 

If my recent experience of the Trans Penine Trail/Manchester Cycle way were anything to go by that would require lots and lots of patience. I had to clean half the loose gritty sandy surface we encountered from two* very noisy drive trains at the end of the trip out on them. That said, it probably wouldn't be so bad after some rain.

Sorry, at best I can still only see most of the NCN as a compromise. I've been using part of it on a regular basis just to get a break from traffic and admittedly, it's one of the best NCN routes I've come across (better than those aforementioned) however it does still have serious draw backs.

*Sorry, I've done one. I've still got the other to do.

[nuttycyclist]

..
1. The OS map was wrong.  We were in fact on NCN Route 41, not Route 1
...

I think the OS map was correct at point of going to print.  Something I noticed a while back was that sustrans seemed to be re-numbering their routes, and didn't really have a clear sense of direction as to how to order them.

[David Martin]

I am not a Sustrans ranger but I am the cycling rep on the Local Access Forum.

That gives me direct contact with and insight into the approach being taken locally. We are currently in a consultation phase for the local core paths[1]. This has given me some interesting areas to go and investigate  - jumping fences and ditches in teh name of the local council ;-)

Routes are aspirational and are intended to provide an immediate link, of usable quality. That may not be the most direct, or usable at any particular speed. As funding appears, routes are upgraded. Realigned, new paths laid etc. This does take time.

Definitely raise issues regarding the surfaces used. Keep an eye on the local council meetings and write to your councillor when cycle paths are brought up highlighting the standards best practice guidelines.

It takes time but will eventually be worth it.

..d


[1] technically it should be core routes but I'll let the semantics go.

[Oscar's dad]

Regarding surfaces.  Most of the NCN routes on my patch use roads and I am keen to promote cycling on roads with cars  as a sensible option.  Therefore, in theory at least, the surface issue doesn't apply to me and my Ranger work. 

I do understand how surfaces can be an issue on NCN routes which aren't on a road.  Just about all the off-road sections on my patch can get muddy in wet weather so I can see how this is an issue.  I will tackle my muddy patches in due course - I don't want to attempt to eat an elephant.

[nuttycyclist]

And that is why Oscar's Dad gets my vote

[bobb]

Out of interest Oscar's, where does your patch begin and end? I'd like to check you're doing your job properly see your wonderful work 

[Oscar's dad]

Out of interest Oscar's, where does your patch begin and end? I'd like to check you're doing your job properly see your wonderful work 

My patch:

Offically it is Witham through Little Braxted and Tiptree to Colchester.  This is now signed though there are a few tweaks needed.  Witham itself which isn't signed yet.  This is Route 16 running into Route 1

I am trying to adopt the bit of Route 16 from Witham to Braintree, where it runs into the Flitch Way.  I also want to adopt the routes from Witham out towards Maldon where my work would meet with that done by the Chelmsford Rangers.

The run from Witham to Colchester is very nice and passes several good pubs.  If you study an up to date OS map and Sustrans' rather dubious website you should be able to see a NCN route from near The Viper, round Hanningfield Reservior, through Witham and Little Braxted to Colchester.  The signs may not be great and might be non existant in some cases.  Give me some time and I will sort it all out but it would be a lovely ride.

[Hummers]

A quick recap.  Sustrans and the National Cycle Network sometimes get a bad press.  Sometimes the criticism is warranted.  I decided to find out for myself what the true story was.  And in some small way try and change things for the better, in my locality at least.  So in February this year, I signed up to be a Volunteer Ranger. 

Well done OD.

As someone who has partaken of the odd NCN rubble fest, there is a temptation to throw stones at Sustrans and do nothing constructive to change the situation.

I'm sure your thread will inspire others to stop whingeing and get stuck in.

H

[Oscar's dad]

A quick recap.  Sustrans and the National Cycle Network sometimes get a bad press.  Sometimes the criticism is warranted.  I decided to find out for myself what the true story was.  And in some small way try and change things for the better, in my locality at least.  So in February this year, I signed up to be a Volunteer Ranger. 

Well done OD.

As someone who has partaken of the odd NCN rubble fest, there is a temptation to throw stones at Sustrans and do nothing constructive to change the situation.

I'm sure your thread will inspire others to stop whingeing and get stuck in.

H

Thanks Hummers. 

Being a Ranger is no hardship.  I've met some nice people, done some nice rides, my family have been press ganged into coming out with me and to cap it all we've discovered some nice pubs!  It's just a shame I can't do it as a full-time properly paid job. 

Plus, I get a buzz out of doing something to help the cycling cause.  I am rapidly becoming a pillock of da community 

[nuttycyclist]

...  It's just a shame I can do it as a full-time properly paid job.  ...

Wow!!!   I'll be resigning my day job forthwith and joining sustrans.

[Oscar's dad]

...  It's just a shame I can do it as a full-time properly paid job.  ...

Wow!!!   I'll be resigning my day job forthwith and joining sustrans.

Oops.  A "'" and a "t" have just corrected my earlier error. 

Sorry Nutty, you can't give up your acclaimed careers as an international recognised male porn star and bike fettler to the rich and famous just yet 

[nuttycyclist]

Dammit.

I was just crossing the i's and dotting the t's on the resignation note

[Oscar's dad]

This morning, at 0915 hrs to be precise, me and a few other local NCN people are meeting Essex CC's new Cycling Champion. He is Cllr Phil Baker.

This will be my first Sustrans / county council interaction and I am intrigued to know how it will go.

The meeting has been organised by Alan the local Sustrans Area Manager. Watch this space as they say ...

[Oscar's dad]

What a fascinating morning!

Myself and six other Sustrans people met with Cllr Phil Baker, an Essex county councillor and a keen cyclist (2 road bikes and a pair of MTBs).  As I mentioned earlier today, Phil has agreed to be the new Essex County Cycling Champion.  The meeting lasted about 90 minutes.  The bones of the discussion were:

1. It is hoped that a countywide meeting will take place in September to discuss all things cycling.  Phil hopes to get various people in from Essex CC (highways etc). 
2. We agreed the lack of an infrastructure was a major problem.  Apparently, Essex is divided into 4 areas and each has an area office.  In the past each area had a cycling forum.  Today a cycling forum only exists in the Colchester area, the others fell by the wayside (cycle path?).  Among those represented at the Colchester cycle forum are Essex CC, Colchester Cycling Campaign, Sustrans, CTC (I think) and some large Colchester organisations such as the uni.  Consquently, Colchester has an infrastructure that allows stuff to be discussed by all interested parties and CRUCIALLY things get done.  I gather this infrastructure played a big part in Colchester becoming one of the new Cycling Towns.  The meeting agreed that infrastructures similar that in Colchester should be established in the other 3 Essex areas.
3. Cllr Phil also offered to take up issues prior to the big September meeting and the establishment of infrastructures and gave out his contact details.

So, all in all very positive.  Obviously early days yet and there's much work to do.  But the fact that we now has an accountable and interested county councillor can only be a good thing.

[rr]

Can he please do something about the breeding "Cyclists Dismount" signs.

[Oscar's dad]

Can he please do something about the breeding "Cyclists Dismount" signs.

Good point. 

However, I think we need to ensure that the poor chap isn't bombarded with issues to solve straightaway, just because he is new and has stuck his head over the parapet.  This sort of happened during the meeting, which is understandable.

My main concern was that we establish the infrastructure that will allow issues such as this to be discussed and then actioned.

[clarion]

*tries hard to think of when a 'Cyclists Dismount' sign is helpful or necessary*


*...and tries...*

*...and tries...*

[BornAgainCyclist]

*tries hard to think of when a 'Cyclists Dismount' sign is helpful or necessary*


*...and tries...*

*...and tries...*

There are two places on my commute with 'Cyclist Dismount' signs, one is a footbridge over a railway at Petts Wood, Kent, the other a foot tunnel under a railway in Beckenham. I used to ride them both (at walking pace) and occassionaly got 'tutted at' but it was better than buying new cleats every month.
Following recent events where peds have been knocked down by cyclists and in one instance killed, cyclists have received a bit of a hammering in the Press. 
Mrs angry of Orpington complained in our local press about a cyclist in "cycling sports kit" who rides across Petts Wood footbridge regularly.  Is this me? I thought.  Paranoier set in and I haven't used either route since for fear of being set upon by vigilantees or the constabulary.
I vote for a new sign in places were the path is narrow: "Cyclist at Walking pace".