A new mountain biking trail is being built in Gisburn Forest, Lancashire. 

A team of local riders have already hand-built approximately 60m of the freeride trail in the forest.

When completed in spring next year, the trail will be 400m long and will be suitable for riders of all abilities to hone their technique. Features will include rollers, jumps, berms and table-top jumps.

Permission and support for the trail has been given by the Forestry Commission, who manage the site. The Forestry Commission has supported the project by paying for an experienced trail builder to help design the free-ride trail. They have also provided tools and equipment as well as a trained forester who used a chainsaw to clear a path through the trees.

“This project is being led by an enthusiastic group of volunteers, which primarily consists of local mountain bikers,” said Martin Colledge from the Forestry Commission.

“They were seeking to create a trail with features that could help them develop techniques that the existing trails within the forest are not able to do.

“Following previous Forestry Commission work with volunteers that created other mountain biking trails at Gisburn, this local group had the confidence to approach us with their idea for a freeride trail within the forest, near the village of Tosside.

“I think that it is great that local people are getting together and are willing to work on creating features that will be there for everyone to use.

“And because they are working in conjunction with us at the Forestry Commission we can ensure that the trail blends in with the landscape and meets safety requirements.”

One of the leading forces behind the new free-ride trail is Ed Oxley, who has started a business – Great Rock – providing mountain biking skills training using the trails within Gisburn Forest.

Oxley added: “The Forestry Commission, by helping local riders to create the mountain biking trails within Gisburn Forest, has been really supportive of local businesses like the Dog and Partridge pub in Tosside and people like me.

 “They have definitely supported me with my business by giving me a place to operate.”