h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

http://www.imba.com/about/trail_rules.html

This is the mountain bike version of the countryside code for mountain bikers, and should be read by all snotty nosed little grommets and 30 something weekend warriors who think that they're above the law, just because the walkers can't catch you.

They can. It usually takes the form on bits of wire across known biking trails at chest level, and cunningly placed logs and rocks round high speed blind corners. And it'll rarely be the offender that gets caught out.

It's neither big nor clever, but you can appreciate why they do it when they get scared to death by fools hurtling past them at high speed on narrow country trails.

As for said walkers, there are currently several areas on forestry commission land in Wales http://www.mtb-wales.com and Scotland http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/INFD-55BFE3 that are being developed for mountain biking. If you see signs designating a trail as for mountain biking, don't be suprised to find heavily armoured bikers coming through at 20mph +. You are of course allowed to walk on these rights of way. It's just that with the vast majority of the countryside at your disposal, please don't begrudge the mountain bikers a little space to have some unfettered fun. The trails are mostly in wooded areas anyway, and the views that are treasured by walkers are few and far between.

And motorists, stick to your correct rights of way too. You're far easier to trace... http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/derbyshire/3105709.stm

We can all enjoy the countryside. Just have respect for different peoples priorities and always try to consider the local perspective too.

Further mtb resources :
http://singletrackworld.com - The UK's busiest Cycling Forum, and source of all things bikey.
http://www.redbullrampage.com/ - The most "extreme" (how I hate that word) "freeride" (that one too) event/contest in the world, where very talented psychotics try to earn points for style and speed whilst throwing themselves off cliffs on their bicycles. ( Video clip at http://www.freeride-entertainment.com/videos/video_redbull.html )