Sherwood Pines Forest Park, Nottinghamshire, is set to receive a brand new dirt jump zone, the Forestry Commission has revealed today.

The new dirt jump area is part of a £300,000 project to a National Cycling Centre of Excellence in the historic wood, near Mansfield, and will sit aside existing XC trails.

The jumps will be designed to cater for riders of all abilities, including beginner, intermediate and expert (denoted by skull and cross bones waymarking to warn the unwary). Local riders have helped in both design and construction work during volunteer “dig days”, when up to 25 local riders turned up, giving them a stake in its future.

Chris Bray, Forestry Commission Recreation Manager, says: “The jump zone is the first element in the Centre of Excellence blueprint to come online. There’s enough to stretch hardcore bikers, but with scope for the less experienced to improve their technique. Our goal has been to create something which is fun, sustainable and offers a real challenge.

“Dirt jumping is a `grassroots’ sport, so getting bikers involved from the start strikes the right note and allows it to develop organically. It’s already proving a huge hit.”

The National Cycling Centre of Excellence project, which was launched last year, has been backed by £147,500 from the Alliance SSP programme. The new network of purpose built routes will include 13km of single track and a 10km family trail which will be launched later this year. Other upgrades will include new bike lockers, shelters and a cycle wash, with more plans in the pipeline for a 2km section of North Shore (elevated timber trail), downhill course and a training loop.

Access to the dirt jump zone is via the long cycle route, just past post number 7. For more information visit www.forestry.gov.uk/EastMidlands