A purpose-built MTB trail in Haldon Forest near Exeter has moved closer to reality after an appeal for interested parties on BIKEmagic. Local riders Geoff Killen, Andy Hornby and Richie Jones arranged a meeting with Forest Enterprise representatives Judith Gauler and Ian to see what level of support there was for a new trail.

Much to everyone’s surprise well over 80 people turned out for the event, with another 75 people registering on the trail’s microsite who couldn’t attend the meeting.

With so many interested parties from the multi-faceted MTB community it was a rowdy affair. Judith kicked things off with the Forest Enterprise perspective on inclusive, approved and sustainable trail building. This was well received and dispelled any notion of a non consultative MTB attitude at FE.

Geoff Killen then took over and covered what has happened so far, explaining the need to form a trail building club – FE have to have a body that it could enter into contract with. There was then a show of hands as to whether to form a club and the response was a unanimous yes.

The next stage is to form a trail building committee, which is happening right now.

All attendees at the meeting were asked to fill out a form of their skills base and background. Minutes for the meeting will be posted on the microsite shortly. Once the club is formed and the objectives outlined we can then formally propose a route and roll out proposal to FE.

You can keep up with developments at the microsite: http://www.yucca.co.uk/trail and of course here on BIKEmagic.