AT THE age of 58, I think I am probably a bit too old to be rolling around in the soil with a young mountain biker, but that nearly happened today.

I was walking in Royden Park with a lady friend and her dog, which is not keen on cyclists and decided to show an approaching cyclist that side of herself.

He was uninjured but extremely aggressive about what had happened, and even more so when we told him we walked the dogs there as cycling is not allowed.

He told me he didn’t like my body language (I didn’t tell him I wasn’t keen on his Lycra!) and took photos of both of us so he could report us for having a dangerous dog.

Eventually we walked away and sought out the head ranger, who confirmed cyclists are definitely not allowed.

Indeed, parts of the park are designated as areas of “Special Scientific Interest.”

There used to be signs all about the park specifying “No Cycling Allowed” – but these have been destroyed by cyclists.

So if you are one of the many mountain bikers that whizz about threatening not only your own life and limb, but those of dogwalkers as well, please go to Delamere Forest where cycling is welcomed on tracks that were specially-made for it.

AE by email