Cumbria’s first dedicated mountain bike coaching trail will be opened to the public on the Forestry Commission estate at Whinlatter Forest, near Keswick on Saturday 17 October.

The Cyclewise coaching trail is for private training purposes only and will be opened by Rich Martin, Director and Senior coach from Cyclewise of Penrith and Whinlatter, who designed the new facility. It will also be the Forestry Commission’s first mountain bike coaching trail in Britain.

The new 300 metre trail is supported by British Cycling – the internationally recognised governing body of cycle sport in the UK. The trail will feature specially constructed bumps, humps or drops, which in mountain biking are known as three berms, three table tops, a rhythm section and rocky drop offs. There will also be technical climbing and descending sections.

Rich Martin Director and Senior coach at Cyclewise, says “We’re delighted to have finally achieved one of our long terms aims in providing the most professional and inspirational mountain bike coaching possible at Whinlatter. Our clients will now have their own unique trail to ride without other riders interfering with the learning process.

“A big thank you to Adrian Jones of the Forestry Commission for making this happen and also to trailbuilder, Hugh Clixby, who has created this world class coaching trail for us here in Keswick.”

Cyclewise also offer bike hire and shop, leadership training and maintenance courses and workshops at Whinlatter.

Paul Brown, Recreation Ranger for the Forestry Commission at Whinlatter, added: “The new Cyclewise coaching trail will certainly reinforce Whinlatter’s growing reputation as the region’s leading mountain biking venue as well as Cumbria as the UK’s ‘Capital of adventure’.

“People wanting to develop their mountain biking skills can now enjoy the most exclusive, professional and unique training experience in the county.”

More at www.cyclewise.co.uk