The "avid motocross" rider's view of the situation in Sheepcote Valley (Letters, February 9) is very different from mine. He admits to the "track we created" as if he and his colleagues had lovingly created a rustic little path. Can he mean the multitude of deep gouges like an overploughed field scarring the top half of the whole valley that is impossible to walk over? Does he really imagine a properly organised (and legal) pedal cycling event on a single dry day last summer causes the same nuisance and destruction as the continuous noisy activities of him and his friends?

He says the motocross riders "always clear up after themselves". Do they repair and replace the carved-up habitat they have obliterated? No. Nor do they make recompense to the poor souls who live nearby and have their weekends shattered by the appalling, high-pitched whining of their machines.

They are apparently "aware of the horse riders and dog walkers and always stop to make sure they don't scare them". In my experience, you are more likely to have a mouthful of abuse thrown at you for getting in the way. And what about people who want to sit at one of the picnic tables and peacefully enjoy the spectacular views across the South Downs and out to sea? Do they stop politely for them too?

He mentions the disused BMX track but not that this was a small, fenced-off area adjacent to the municipal tip. Does he really imagine BMX pedal cycles would cause the same noise nuisance or damage as his activities?

He asks why "the track" could not be moved away from the orchids. How? There doesn't seem to be any way of controlling where he and his friends make their ugly paths. After each weekend, the damage creeps further and further down the valley. Last summer, my friends and I found some beautiful bee orchids. The site where they grew was churned up just a couple of weeks ago and is now mud.

At least his letter firmly quashes the myth that the motocross riders are just a few local lads with nothing else to do. He confirms they are competitors in regional events and come from as far away as Worthing. These are grown men who arrive in expensive vans with professional-looking trailers. He calls on Brighton and Hove City Council to sort out the impasse and suggests they should be given an alternative site. Perhaps it is time these riders paid to use a more suitable site away from wildlife, irreplaceable habitat and residential areas. Why does he think a site for their activities should be funded by our council taxes?

J Hawkins

-address supplied