Rambler's association; should I ?
Discussion
Hi all,
I just want to get a bit more active without doing myself in. Gyms and home fitness kit just don't do it for me. I play a lot of golf but not at the moment.
I had a brainwave. Get walking. I can stroll about, take my camera, meet new folk, sit with a flask of tea etc etc. All sounds great to me.
Or am I being ghey ????
Is the ramblers one of those [perceived] weird lot, like boy scouts, bible-bashers, trainspotters etc ?
I don't suppose it's uber-cool, but should I ?
I just want to get a bit more active without doing myself in. Gyms and home fitness kit just don't do it for me. I play a lot of golf but not at the moment.
I had a brainwave. Get walking. I can stroll about, take my camera, meet new folk, sit with a flask of tea etc etc. All sounds great to me.
Or am I being ghey ????
Is the ramblers one of those [perceived] weird lot, like boy scouts, bible-bashers, trainspotters etc ?
I don't suppose it's uber-cool, but should I ?
Going for a walk is a great way to clear your head if you've got many things going on, de-stress if you've had a bad day or just get some fresh air and some gentle exercise
The ramblers association is where you go it you want to wear a stupid bobble hat in the middle of summer, use Sir Ranulph Fiennes mountaineering poles on the gentlest of afternoon strolls then b
h about how terrible it is that as a pedestrian you have exclusive access to only ~98% of the UK byway system and how terrible dog walkers / horse riders / cyclists / motorcycles / 4x4s are...
The ramblers association is where you go it you want to wear a stupid bobble hat in the middle of summer, use Sir Ranulph Fiennes mountaineering poles on the gentlest of afternoon strolls then b
h about how terrible it is that as a pedestrian you have exclusive access to only ~98% of the UK byway system and how terrible dog walkers / horse riders / cyclists / motorcycles / 4x4s are...Pickled Piper said:
They are all a bit strange. They also have a habit of waving at cars to get them to slow down if they perceive they are going too fast.
They seem happy to walk, two abreast, with the flow of traffic, with no verge, along the NSL main roads around here...Funny when they don't realise there's still plenty of room to go past them on the bike and make their bobble hats spin...
LMC said:
Is the ramblers one of those (perceived) weird lot, like boy scouts...
Nothing wrong with the Scouts thanks. There are plenty of us leaders about!
There is no need to be a member of any assoc to go out & about & enjoy yourself.
Only advice would be to follow a few simple precautions.
Try not to go alone.
Aways make sure someone knows where you're going & when you plan to be back.
If you're not competant with a map & compass don't go somewhere you're likely to need one (but bring them with you to help you learn). Many good walks can be enjoyed with good well established & marked paths.
Check the weather before you go but be Be Prepared for anything.
If the people you meet enroute don't smile, say hello or speak to you, be wary of them.
the_lone_wolf said:
Going for a walk is a great way to clear your head if you've got many things going on, de-stress if you've had a bad day or just get some fresh air and some gentle exercise
The ramblers association is where you go it you want to wear a stupid bobble hat in the middle of summer, use Sir Ranulph Fiennes mountaineering poles on the gentlest of afternoon strolls then bh about how terrible it is that as a pedestrian you have exclusive access to only ~98% of the UK byway system and how terrible dog walkers / horse riders / cyclists / motorcycles / 4x4s are...
Will I get a warm welcome when I turn up in my Forester turbo ? The ramblers association is where you go it you want to wear a stupid bobble hat in the middle of summer, use Sir Ranulph Fiennes mountaineering poles on the gentlest of afternoon strolls then b
h about how terrible it is that as a pedestrian you have exclusive access to only ~98% of the UK byway system and how terrible dog walkers / horse riders / cyclists / motorcycles / 4x4s are...
Very mixed views here; I don't want to be coralled into a group of treehugger types....I don't know now.
And apologies to AndyAudi, I used to be a long term cub then a scout for a short time. I left when it seemed to be going out of fashion. Probably just the area I lived in. No offence meant.
Edited by LMC on Friday 7th January 15:19
LMC said:
the_lone_wolf said:
Going for a walk is a great way to clear your head if you've got many things going on, de-stress if you've had a bad day or just get some fresh air and some gentle exercise
The ramblers association is where you go it you want to wear a stupid bobble hat in the middle of summer, use Sir Ranulph Fiennes mountaineering poles on the gentlest of afternoon strolls then bh about how terrible it is that as a pedestrian you have exclusive access to only ~98% of the UK byway system and how terrible dog walkers / horse riders / cyclists / motorcycles / 4x4s are...
Will I get a warm welcome when I turn up in my Forester turbo ? The ramblers association is where you go it you want to wear a stupid bobble hat in the middle of summer, use Sir Ranulph Fiennes mountaineering poles on the gentlest of afternoon strolls then b
h about how terrible it is that as a pedestrian you have exclusive access to only ~98% of the UK byway system and how terrible dog walkers / horse riders / cyclists / motorcycles / 4x4s are...
I've no idea what they're like at meetings, never felt I needed a support group just to go for a walk, chances are they're quite nice to other ramblers, but my experience as a dog walker / cyclist / off-road motorcyclist who used to ride horses, with mates who use 4x4s off-road, all 100% legally, they're by far the most arrogant bunch of tossers on the byways, wouldn't give them the time of day tbh...
I enjoy walking on my own, but I tend to keep myself local, if you know what I mean. Thinking of joining a group is more from a motivational prospect than the need to meet new people.
But the last thing I want to do is toddle about the countryside with a bunch of feckin wallies
I'll maybe go googly and see if there's a local, more radical group out there. Maybe one where you go for a nice walk, spray paint monuments and unburden ramblers of their bobble hats
But the last thing I want to do is toddle about the countryside with a bunch of feckin wallies
I'll maybe go googly and see if there's a local, more radical group out there. Maybe one where you go for a nice walk, spray paint monuments and unburden ramblers of their bobble hats
I live in the country (ish) and I see a ramblers assosciation quite regularly. They always walk on the wrong side of the road with their ridiculous walking poles, trying to appear professional but just looking like bumbling old fools.
I'm quite into walking myself, having been to Nepal and Chile in the last 2 years on expeditions with my old school, and I often go out for a wander around my area in the spring and summer. There is nothing stopping you doing things yourself to get yourself out in the open. Can only echo the advice above though, make sure people know where you are going, and stick to known routes as much as possible until you get more competent with maps and things.
Walking with someone else is good for safety but tbh more so you have someone to talk to - being quite isolated though it just tends to be me and the iPod.
Basically, no need for a club, but you never know, you might go along and meet some sound guys and girls. Perhaps a good idea to go and scout them out?
I'm quite into walking myself, having been to Nepal and Chile in the last 2 years on expeditions with my old school, and I often go out for a wander around my area in the spring and summer. There is nothing stopping you doing things yourself to get yourself out in the open. Can only echo the advice above though, make sure people know where you are going, and stick to known routes as much as possible until you get more competent with maps and things.
Walking with someone else is good for safety but tbh more so you have someone to talk to - being quite isolated though it just tends to be me and the iPod.
Basically, no need for a club, but you never know, you might go along and meet some sound guys and girls. Perhaps a good idea to go and scout them out?
The ramblers round here (North West) seem to be the similar type to everywhere else. Kitted up to assault Everest when they are walking down a bridleway in August. Utterly barking.
However they do provide amusement as my Dad and I have a 'Rambler Alert' where we make klaxxon noises to each other when we see them
However they do provide amusement as my Dad and I have a 'Rambler Alert' where we make klaxxon noises to each other when we see them
Taita said:
The ramblers round here (North West) seem to be the similar type to everywhere else. Kitted up to assault Everest when they are walking down a bridleway in August. Utterly barking.
However they do provide amusement as my Dad and I have a 'Rambler Alert' where we make klaxxon noises to each other when we see them
However they do provide amusement as my Dad and I have a 'Rambler Alert' where we make klaxxon noises to each other when we see them
seem to be a particular breed don't they!EDIT:
Didn't realise you had to sodding pay! It's just going for a bloody walk isn't it? Christ!Edited by captainmatt on Saturday 8th January 22:27
Just made the klaxxon noise to myself. I've still got it Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff