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Two new mountain bike trails are set to be built at Ashton Court and Leigh Woods, Bristol, this year.
Bristol Cycling City, The Forestry Commission, National Trust and the 1 South West cycling initiative has secured the £200,000 funding needed for each site to create 11km of new or reconstructed cycle trails.
Both are scheduled to open this summer.
“Bristol’s reputation as a Cycling City is further enhanced by this great scheme,” boasted councillor Dr Jon Rogers, executive member for Care and Health. “Having a quality mountain biking destination in our city will help beginners take their first steps in the sport and experienced teams develop their skills in readiness for international competition.”
Trail designer Phil Saxena of Architrail has created MTB trails across the world, including the Beijing Olympics course. He said: “Having ridden my bike here it’s great to be such an integral part in raising Bristol’s offering in the sport that has given me so much pleasure. Designing the tracks has been a challenge due to the constraints on the sites but we’re planning trails that will get a wide range of riders coming back for more whilst the trails remain robust and sensitive to the landscape and other users.”
A new £500,000 trail centre will be built on the existing kiosk at Ashton Court, due for completion by July 2011.
