The Forestry Commission has appointed a new mountain bike ranger for Wales, with the role of ensuring the trails in south Wales remain challenging and safe.
Described as a passionate mountain biker with over 20 years experience in the sport, Carl Denham has been named the FC Wales Mountain Bike Ranger for a year and is looking forward to playing a key role in enhancing the reputation of FC Wales’s renowned trails.
His area will cover the mountain bike trails and events in Welsh Assembly woodlands across much of south east Wales including the busy Afan Forest Park and Cwmcarn trail centres, where many the most high profile trails are located.
The popularity of the trails mean they need constant monitoring and maintaining, and one of Carl’s first tasks is to review all the trails to ensure they remain in the first class condition that riders expect.
Carl has already initiated resurfacing work on worn sections of the Skyline and Whites Level trails in Afan, with work planned to start on Afan’s Penhydd trail once these improvements are completed. He’s already working closely with the Welsh Downhill Mountain Bike Association to prepare the Rheola downhill course for the National Points Series competition that will take place there in September.
With the FC Wales trails attracting in the region of 155,000 trips every year in south Wales alone, the task of looking after the trails is a huge challenge, but it’s one which Carl is relishing: “I have been accused many times of being obsessed with the sport, and it is this dedication that I aim to bring to the job.
“The ride quality and safety of the trails is paramount, and a large part of my role will be ensuring that any issues are resolved to ensure all users are getting the best ride experience possible within their fitness and skill levels.
“My working experience and my love of mountain biking will be combined in this job to be an ambassador for mountain biking in the area – embracing the challenges ahead of me and providing a great mountain bike experience for all who visit our woodlands.”
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