As far as the bike in the piccie goes...CRF 250/450 is a great bike. I currently have a DR350, but hope to swap to a CRF 250 in the near future. Trust me, if you are new to off-road riding, you don't need 450 cc's!!!

As for places...your kind of half right...the ridgeway is closed from October till April...yes a big chunk of the year, but don't let the buggers grind you down. Its not all of the lanes that are now closed...if you have an OS map to hand and are willing to explore a little, its still possible to go out for the day and do a good few miles all off road.

In and around Oxfordshire we have been hit quite hard with the new laws regarding the Byways etc...but there is still a strong group of riders determined to keep going.

Ciao TP...

I have TWO CRF450.. one MX competition (as per the picture) and one CRE450 road legal (model available only in Italy) .

I kinda of agree with all the comments made..in addition, it is GREAT FUN.
The 4strokers are easier to ride than two strokers, but more heavy. It is a trade off. For supercross I was more confident on the big jumps with the two stroke, as lighter and movable in the air. The 4 stroker are heavier and with a slight engine brake feeling. However the torque ( the 450 is a beast) is helpful a lot when going over obstacles. However do not think to use the clucth as a 2 stroker ..it will last a day!!.

Any questions on the honda..mail me!
Ciao
fabio

Two stroker off roaders are the spawn of Satan! They're bloody awesome, but tricky little gits to use and soooo fast. Last one I had a go on was Couch's KTM200. I managed to get into the bottom of a valley and stall it...could I get it to just pull me out slowly without wheel spinning and putting us both straight back down the hill again? Could I buggery! That said, on the big fire trails through the forest, flat stick and it makes perfect sense :) 4 strokes are definitely more user friendly.

TP, Van, Harv et al if you want to have a day or week end trail riding i'm more than willing to take you out up north.

I'm off to Wales this weekend where we've got the use of a lot of private land with a local farmer. He's promised us an 'interesting' time (read kill the English!):lol:

Looks like a few of the DSC are happy to get dirty, maybe we might have to have some sort of gathering and see who ends up in the biggest mud puddle. :D

I don't have a bike though big fella - otherwise I'd try and get something organised.

LOL...I'll win <<<<<<<

Sounds like a great idea though.

It always makes me laugh when I see your avatar! :) :)

Have you seen the video of it...clip of it somewhere...let me go find!

No, but would like to have a chortle if you don't mind. :) :)