Bristol is well-known for the excellent trails on the very doorstep of the city centre. The availability of great trails in an urban area is perhaps surprising, but what’s not at all surprising is the resulting vibrancy of the local MTB scene. Witness, for example, the Bristol Trails Group, a volunteer organisation that’s been looking after the trails for several years.

While BTG has been doing loads of trail work over the years, its next trail day (Saturday 21 March) marks something of a departure. UCI and Olympic MTB course designer Phil Saxena will be joining the volunteers to rebuild a neglected section of the Timberland Trail in 50 Acre Wood, adjacent to Ashton Court Estate. The Timberland Trail was a unique proposition when it was first built, being a purpose-built trail in an essentially urban area, but since then it’s been both heavily used and under-maintained.

To make the most of the day, BTG will be hiring machinery to transport building materials and arranging extra tools to cater for a large number of volunteers. So all that’s needed now is a large number of volunteers.

“All help is welcome, even if it’s just stopping off for an hour in the middle of a ride,” says BTG’s Antony de Heveningham. “If the opportunity to improve your local trails isn’t motivation enough already, there will be cake for the volunteers and a prize draw. See you there!”

To which we can only say, mmmmm, cake. More details at www.bristoltrailsgroup.com.