Fortunately incidents like the one recounted below are not a regular occurrence, but still do happen too often. The Hurtwood is becoming increasingly popular, and must be shared by many different users. Our role is to try and maintain that balance, which I feel we do very well, but it does partly also rely on the goodwill of the users. Please keep the Hurtwood a safe environment for every one.
On Saturday my husband and I went for a 10 K walk over Holmbury Hill and Pitch Hilll. We started in Holmbury St Mary, walked up over Holbury Hill then down the escarpment and around to the south of Ewhurst place. Thus we approached Pitch Hill from the South. The OS map shows a footpath this way. At the bottom of the hill it became obvious that much of the hillside is used for cycle tracks, but we found a steep zig-zag path that looked more like a footpath and followed it up. Just below the top it joined a very steep sided path from the top. It was obvious that this is well used by cyclists, but there was no other viable way for us to proceed.
The path has been worn away such that there is no room to step to either side. My husband reached the top without incident and so I felt safe to proceed up towards the final narrowest section where there would be no possible chance of avoiding a cyclist descending at any speed. Fortunately, I was still just below this final gully when I heard a warning shout from my husband above.
A mountain biker, riding from the direction of the trig point, had ignored my husband standing on the path and indicating another walker below, and ridden around him to speed down the gully. When he saw me the biker shouted but it was too late for him to do anything. I literally threw myself onto the side of the path and hoped that he would miss my legs. Fortunately he did, and no lasting damage was done to either of us. My 63 year old bones have suffered worse!
I have read your website, in particular your notes on the ‘right to roam’ nature of the Hurtwood estate and your advice to cyclists. Unfortunately, both the mountain biker and I felt that we had a right to be on that particular path at the same time.
I hope this is helpful to you and the ranger in maintaining a wonderful area that is open and safe for everyone to enjoy.
So the point is the walker couldn’t find the footpath so walked up the obvious mountain bike trail?
If the rider has ignored the first walker then he is obviously in the wrong, but I don’t see why anyone would continue at speed on a known narrow trail if they have been told the trail isn’t clear. With this in mind I presume the rider was either unfamiliar with the trail or the first walker didn’t make the situation clear. Therefore it’s a bit of a non issue and not really reflective of the positive interaction between walkers and cyclists i experience in the hurtwood every week.
As a mountain biker, I’m sorry to hear that the rider seemed to not take heed of your husbands warning. As mentioned luckily we all enjoy the countryside in harmony. There is always a few people in all diciplines that think it’s just for them!
Hi Tom, had the warning come earlier, I may have been able to do something, as it was I was already committed to the trail. As I mentioned in my response, next time if I see a lone walker I’ll assume their spouse is some way behind and wait. Though maybe next time he’ll employ a little chivalry and give his wife a hand so they arrive at the top together!
Just wanted to give my (the mountain biker’s) version as I saw it. I was riding into a well established trail known by locals as Thick and Creamy. I saw a chap stood admiring the view well out of my way to the left and so carried on into the particularly steep and loose gulley that joins the rest of the trail. As I passed him I heard him shout something just before I saw his wife standing in the most narrow, and steepest part of the trail. I was surprised as in several years of riding at least once a week on Pitch Hill, I have never seen anyone trying to walk up this trail. I managed to jump across to the right and gave plenty of room as I did so — there was no way of stopping as the ground is so loose and the gradient is steep. I’m very sorry that the lady walker took a tumble, I agree that these hills should be enjoyed by everybody and I always approach hikers and dog walkers with caution — usually with a friendly greeting — on the paths and fire roads where I expect to see people out walking. In future I will treat the presence of a walker as a sign that his or her partner may be following and wait. I’m just glad there was no harm done and that everyone involved may have learned something new about the area and to perhaps expect the unexpected!