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Groups of scrambler cyclists from Liverpool traveled through four counties on a 50-mile journey during the lockdown to avoid detection by police.
But the botched attempt to avoid the attention of the law failed spectacularly.
Police confirmed today that two groups from Liverpool used vehicles to conceal their off-road bikes before heading from the city through Merseyside, Cheshire and Greater Manchester to finally reach their Lancashire destination at about 50.8 miles and one hour and 14 minutes in car.
The wrong lock trip saw groups arrive at scenic Lee Quarry, which includes a mountain bike trail located near Bacup in the Rossendale Valley, Lancashire.
Scrambler riders lowered their bikes from the vehicles for a thrill-seeking spin.
However, local police caught them red-handed Sunday night after receiving complaints of “numerous reports of off-road motorcycle use.”
When arrested by police, the passengers admitted that they had made the trip in the belief that they “would not attract the attention of local police,” Rossendale police confirmed.
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Two groups were slapped with police notices, meaning that if they are caught again, their vehicles can be impounded.
A Rossendale Police spokesman said: “We attended the Lee Quarry area following numerous reports of off-road motorcycles.
“We located a number of vehicles used to transport the motorcycles together with the cyclists / cyclists.
“After this, we issued warnings to two groups under Section 59 and we also added these warnings to their vehicles.”
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The spokesperson added: “It is noteworthy that the cyclists said they had traveled from Liverpool because they had been told they would not attract the attention of local police.”
“Section 59 of the 2002 Police Reform Act allows police to warn drivers and passengers if they are reported to have used their vehicle in a way that causes ‘alarm, distress or annoyance.’
“If it is reported that he has done so again within a year, the police have the right to impound the vehicle.”
You can only legally ride an off-road motorcycle if you are on private land and have the permission of the land owner.
People have been told to restrict locked travel for essential reasons, such as work and medical issues.
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