Mabie Forest – Pic John Henry

There’s an impressive amount of trail building activity going on at the moment. The powers that be are beginning to get the idea that letting mountain bikers build trails, be they of the singletrack or dirt jump variety, is no bad thing. In fact, it’s a terribly good thing – there’s a couple of local economies that wouldn’t be too healthy without visiting mountain bikers.

We’ve heard from a fair number of people who are talking to landowners and local authorities, or have got beyond that stage and are actually out there digging. But we’re sure there are more we haven’t heard of. So if you’re involved in running a trail building project, tell us all about it and we’ll add your details to this guide.

One thing that all these projects have in common is the need for more manpower. This is your chance to get involved – contact the people running the projects and volunteer your services…

North East

Chopwell Forest

• Location: Rowlands Gill, Gateshead
• Co-ordinators: North East Freeride Association http://www.freeride-uk.com/, http://www.shedl.org/
• Contact: M Stephenson [email protected]

The North East Freeride Association (NEFA) are in the process of building a multi-user trail in Chopwell Forest. We have full support from Forest Enterprise and IMBA and the Friends of Chopwell Wood, a local group involved in the forest. Building has begun on the trail and is moving at a pace. The trail is a DH oriented design with a user friendly
layout, allowing any rider of any ability to ride it. On completion of the multi-user trail we will be begining work on the next project,
a full-on DH course the length of the forest, meeting up with the multi-user trail to form a long circular ride. Following that will be an XC route taking in sections of both and a new section of its own. Some features of the trails will be outstanding such as a 200 foot long natural halfpipe which will be incorporated in the DH course.

NEFA is a new organisation formed in May 2002. Currently we have 82 members and we are growing fast. We are affiliated with IMBA and have received trail tools and endless support from them. Funds are raised through member fees and t-shirt sales at the moment but we are looking to attract sponsors, grants etc in the future. Initial funding was raised through a very succesful DH event held in the forest on 30 June 2002 which attracted 76 riders. The event was won by Steve Barker followed closely by John Robson and Dave Hopper. We also run a dirt jump event yearly at the Chopwell Forest festival, which helps to keep user conflict down.

Midlands

Cannock Chase

• Location: Cannock, Staffs
• Co-ordinators: The Chase Trail Group
• Contact: Stuart Tite [email protected]

Work is underway on the first of a network of purpose built trails in Cannock Chase in conjunction with Forest Enterprise and Swinnerton Cycles. Volunteers are welcome at any of our regular trail building days. For more details email us or go to www.chasetrails.co.uk
.

Borders

Mabie Forest

• Location: Dumfries
• Co-ordinators: Rik’s Bike Shed 01387 270275
• Contact: Rik [email protected]

Don’t forget about Mabie Forest and the trails which have been crafted by
the Rik’s Bike Shed crew over the past five years. We’re constantly improving
the scene here in the South (of Scotland). Although we seem to have lost a
lot of riders to Glentress this year, we’re pretty sure they’ll get bored
with the artificial nature of the East and come back to the west for some
rotts and rocks.

As well as Riks Red route (9 miles long, 7 miles singletrack) there’s a wealth
of stunning unofficial but tolerated singletrack and the promise of more as
the ‘Seven Stanes’ crew arrive this winter.

We have run a regular Thursday night trail maintenance crew all summer and
have had a few keen regulars out on Saturday mornings weilding mattocks and
macleods.

It woud be nice to see a few more folk on the trails. For visitors there’s a
good bunkhouse in the forest and plenty of riding for a weekend stay.

For anybody wanting to join in or just come and ride give us a call on 01387
270275.

Pow’r tae yer pedals

South west

Timberland Trail

• Location: Ashton Court, Bristol
• Co-ordinator: Timberland trai
• Phil Lee

I’m still working on the Timberland Trail at Ashton Court. Currently
we’ve got a contractor in Fifty Acre Woods building trail for us which we’ll
then hand finish. There’s a micro-site at http://www.mtb-wales.com/ashtoncourt that will be
updated as things progress.

Haldon Forest

• Exeter, Devon
• Co-ordinator: Haldon Trail Building Club
• Contact: Richie Jones

Fledgling trailbuilding group working with Forest Enterprise on trails in Haldon Forest. More details at http://www.yucca.co.uk/trail.

Northern Ireland

Tardree Forest

• Location: Antrim
• Co-ordinator: Antrim Mountain Bike Club
• Darran Moody

If you have a look at http://www.mtbrider.com/ you will find the CAAN report into trail construction in Northern Ireland. They are planning a spend of about £850,000 on trails over here. Antrim MBC is currently developing a forest called Tardree which will be a play area with all manner of technical riding and one long technical XC race course. If CAAN will provide the funding we want to build a world class 4X track. Things are looking up over here.

South East

Redlands

• Location: Leith Hill, Surrey
• Co-ordinator: Rebecca Milbourn
• Contact: Rebecca Milbourn [email protected]

Trailbuilding project near Leith Hill, Dorking, Surrey. More details on www.justridingalong.com or contact Nirvana Cycles.

North

Dalby Forest

• Location: North Yorkshire
• Co-ordinator: Singletraction

Pace-sponsored trailbuilding group working with the Forestry Commission on trails in Dalby Forest and the surrounding area.

Stainburn Forest

• Location: Otley, Yorkshire
• Co-ordinator: IMBA UK
• Contact: Kieran Foster [email protected], 01423 884032

New technical XC route. Trailbuilding first Sunday of every month from 10am onwards.